we can’t get rid of stereotypes; if we get rid of one… another will simply take its place. so i say use it to your advantage.

Even though he offered more money than a competing job offer, I went with the other offer.

I was sacked 3 days later from said job. Her parting words were, “This has nothing to do with how you were raised.” (huh?)

I think Akrypti hits it right on the nail where the community actually needs to learn to be true to themselves and hold on to what they believe in and not be so concerned about what society may think about them.

And what’s up with calling us ‘Minorities’? … Over half of the world’s population is of Asian descent.

What’s interesting is that this topic is actually a very good one for non-Asians to read. They would get a better understanding of the cultural backlash that some of the first gens face. Don’t know about you guys, but this topic was just one of the many things that I found where Chinese (mine) culture and American culture just didn’t mix well together. We isolate ourselves at times, and with all of the things from table manners to our work ethics, it’s just different. Not sure about ya’ll (yes, I said ya’ll), but it took me a long time figuring out how to mesh the two together between family life and friends/school.

2. Positives of the model minority stereotype: We get the job because we’re automatically assumed to be hard-working, disciplined, brilliant at math and sciences, and the bosses can rest assured that we’re not “rabble rousers” and won’t start strikes or fail to conform.

3. Negatives of the model minority stereotype: Asians themselves begin to require members of their own community to live up to that model minority myth so that when an Asian is not brilliant at math and sciences or chooses not to conform or instigates controversy, we outcast them from our community before the Whites even have a chance to do it. We thus cause more division within our community than solidarity, and we can never form a strong enough political voting block.

Finally, not to get all Hallmarky on you, but it’s not about fighting or not fighting the stereotypes; it’s about being true to yourself and holding steadfast to your integrity, whether it conforms to society’s expectations or not.

This might be worth pointing out, since I’ve actually never heard of the term before, having taken asian studies in college.

Personally, I find that’s from a first impression standpoint, it’s a lot easier to use model minority in my advantage. Just as you take any situation and play off the good side. Truth of the matter is, both of the positives mentioned can give you a boost from the start of a relationship with whomever (work, new acquaintances, etc). What you do with that boost is up to you (which would also turn around quickly if you don’t work hard, etc).

But given what there is out there? I’ll take the asian stereotype any day of the week.

The positives are that Asian Americans are considered smart and hard working. The negatives is that for those who are not smart or hard working (or not good at math or science), there is a level of expectation that you need to “perform” too… It’s sad and shocking to know that Asian American females from 18-to-35 (or something like that) have the highest suicide rate in the U.S.

Stereotypes can be good and bad. At the end of the day, stereotypes have some truths to them, but one must remember that we are all individuals as well.

I think fight is too strong of a word – Asian Americans should continually *educate* who we are as groups and as individuals.