The Harmful Myth Of Asian Superiority Analysis
Ronald Takaki’s essay, “The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority”, discusses the supposed construct of Asian Americans being the “model minority”. He stated statistics and studies to back up the idea but also used those strategies on discussing how it is not always the case. Despite the stereotype of Asian Americans attending the best universities and having exceptional business skills, there is still that notable percentage who are not doing so well. After reading Takaki’s essay, several questions, even coming from him, are left unanswered. He fails to specify on who they are supposed to be models for. For other minorities? And if so, what certain traits do Asian Americans possess for them to be deemed worthy as exemplars of minority standards.
Do the figures on a paycheck or the passing rates to prestigious colleges make them superior or just plain better than other minorities? The term “Asian Americans” is unclear itself. He talked about immigrants coming to the States but what of those who were born here after their parents migrated? Is there a distinction between the two when Asian Americans are glorified? The opportunities second-generation immigrants acquire is the same as any other racial group living here. The numbers and percents he gave were vague as well. 25% of those who live in New York City’s Chinatown lived below the poverty line, he mentioned. Yet he failed to identify if that 25% were Asian Americans. And to whom are they actually harmful to? Takaki pushes African Americans as prime examples who are most disadvantageous to this typecast. I see the direction he went with this comparison but he did not give instances on how it truly detriments African Americans’ chances to being successful. This can also be taken as harmful to Asian Americans themselves when they do not pass the qualities expected of them as “model minorities”. I was not convinced by Takaki’s essay as it consists multiple holes and question marks. Comparing two minorities to bring the other up was something I also disliked. There was a lot left unsaid which could have solidified his point and made it more credible.
Do the figures on a paycheck or the passing rates to prestigious colleges make them superior or just plain better than other minorities? The term “Asian Americans” is unclear itself. He talked about immigrants coming to the States but what of those who were born here after their parents migrated? Is there a distinction between the two when Asian Americans are glorified? The opportunities second-generation immigrants acquire is the same as any other racial group living here. The numbers and percents he gave were vague as well. 25% of those who live in New York City’s Chinatown lived below the poverty line, he mentioned. Yet he failed to identify if that 25% were Asian Americans. And to whom are they actually harmful to? Takaki pushes African Americans as prime examples who are most disadvantageous to this typecast. I see the direction he went with this comparison but he did not give instances on how it truly detriments African Americans’ chances to being successful. This can also be taken as harmful to Asian Americans themselves when they do not pass the qualities expected of them as “model minorities”. I was not convinced by Takaki’s essay as it consists multiple holes and question marks. Comparing two minorities to bring the other up was something I also disliked. There was a lot left unsaid which could have solidified his point and made it more credible.