Essay On Asian American Stereotypes

However, to say that the stereotypes of Asians are completely wrong would be a blatant overstatement. Stereotypes exist for a reason. As psychologist Saul McLeod explains, “The use of stereotypes is a major way in which we simplify our social world; since they reduce the amount of processing (i.e. thinking) we have to do when we meet a new person” (MacLeod). Close examination of the average Asian American’s values reveal Confucian influences. A 1999 study by psychologists Brian Kim, Donald Atkisnon, and Peggy Yan from University of California, Santa Barbara, identified 14 Asian values. While the researchers stated that, “We must recognize that Asian Americans are comprised of an extremely diverse group and that significant differences within Asian ethnic groups do exist,” they found that traditional Asians tended to emphasize these values: collectivism, maintenance of interpersonal harmony, reciprocity,
Berdahl. "Holding East Asians to different standards than whites – reacting negatively to them when they engage in leadership behaviors – holds them, and all those who might benefit from their leadership, back." (qtd. in Dominant). How are Asians to tackle this problem? Some suggest that Asian Americans make stronger attempts to overcome negative stereotypes through "self-awareness." Spearheaded by Jane Hyun’s book Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling, this involves going out of one’s way to network and interact with others, making oneself visible by taking pride and credit in one’s work, and commanding leadership roles and proposing new ideas in the workplace. Hyun also stipulates that “we can’t successfully develop Asian leaders by educating only the Asian employees. We must include non-Asian managers, clients, coworkers, and mentors in identifying and resolving problems” (Hyun