Why the "model minority" myth is so damaging

One in three Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (A/AA/PI) professionals have experienced racial prejudice at work. They are also frequently the target of microaggressions — particularly those that pigeonhole them as smart, hard-working, tech-savvy, and more successful that other minority groups. That stereotype, known as the “model minority myth,” glosses over anti-Asian racism and the toll it takes on people’s mental health.

See for yourself:

 

References:

1. Coqual. (2023, January 19). Coqual’s new study examines the professional experience of the AAPI community and finds racial prejudice, stereotypes, microaggressions, career stall and inequitable treatment. 

*Most of data taken from this report

2. Park, SJ. (2022, September 19). Why Asian American Activists are Fighting for Data Disaggregation. Mochi Magazine. 

3. Nishi, K. (2012). Mental Health Among Asian-Americans. American Psychological Association.

4. Keum BT, Wong MJ, Salim-Eissa R. Gendered racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and suicidal ideation among emerging adult Asian American women. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2022;0(0).