Disguised Form Of Racial And Cultural Discrimination

After the mid-1960s, the American news media frequently use the term "model minority" to describe Asian American’s economic and educational success. This paper aims at researching the "model minority" theory in the United States, which is essentially a disguised form of racial and cultural discrimination for Asian American. This paper is composed of preface, text which is consisted of three parts, conclusion and appendix.The first chapter is the origin of the "model minority" theory. The "model minority" theory is rooted in the liberalism victory and the Cold War race thought. In the 1960s later period, when the U.S. civil rights movement was just imposing, the "model minority" theory was advanced. The high college enrollment rates of Asians in the 1980s enabled the "model minority" theory to be paid attention to once again. Regardless of the source of the the "model minority" theory, or its releasing in the 60s and its regeneration in the 80s, it is the need of American white society to serve the realpolitik and the stability of the community.The second chapter describes the paradox between the "model minority" myth and the reality. Asians have been regarded as the "model minority" based mainly on three factors:(1) Asians have the highest educational level in the entire US. (2) Asian American’s economic circumstance is the best of all the ethnic groups in America. (3) Few social problems, especially low crime rates enjoy Asians great repulations in the US. Although the "model minority" theory has seen Asian American’s achievements and progresses in recent years in the United States, it overexaggerates or even ignores the existence of facts:First, the statistical method of the theory is wrong. Second, the "model minority" myth obscures the problems that Asians face. Third, the "model minority" theory does not reflect the differences that exist within Asian groups. As a result, we draw the conclusion that praising Asians as the "model minority" is inconsistent with the reality, which also is the unfair treatment of Asians.The third chapter focuses on the impact of the "model minority" theory on Asians. First of all, the title "model minority" have caused many Asians to lost the deserved interests. Asians are successful in the eyes of American public, who does not need the government assistance. Therefore, a large number of Southeast Asian refugees are ignored and the Asian students with massive problems have not been concerned by the teachers. Secondly, the title "model minority" lead to intense anti-Asian sentiments. Because of the "model minority" title, the white mainstream society consider the successful Asians a threat to their status, and other ethnic groups think that the strong competitiveness of Asians undermines their interests. Finally, the title "model minority" has brought the severe psychological impact on Asian Americans. Whether Asians are "model" or not, "model minority" theory has imperceptibly fettered the thought of Asians. In addition, the "model minority" theory has also led to a "glass ceiling" phenomenon. The working hard and quiet image of Asians the "model minority" theory described has caused the bias of the American public that Asians lack the leadership ability, which is unfair to Asian Americans. Consequently, the "model minority" theory appears to be a tribute to the success of Asians, but it actually gives Asians a series of negative influences. To Asians, the "model minority" theory is essentially a kind of racial and cultural discrimination in disguised form.