For people of color, true assimilation and equality in the United States has never been a
reality. Assimilation refers to the process in which an individual adopts the ways of another
culture in order to fully become part of a different society (“Assimilate”, 2015). This type of
assimilation has not occurred for any group of color in this nation; all you have to do is look at
the plight of African Americans or Native Americans to understand the truth of these words.
There is, however, a belief that one minority group has “made it” in society; they have met, if not
exceeded, the standards set by White America (Chin, 2001).
Asian Americans are, as is the widely held belief, the “model minority” for their perceived
achievement and
…show more content…
In Unraveling the “Model Minority” Stereotype: Listening to Asian American Youth, Stacy
Lee provides a detailed ethnography of a group of Asian American students who attended
Academic High School during the 1989 school year. She discusses how the model minority
stereotype affected these individuals in terms of their experiences (both academic and
personal), relationships with non-Asians, and self-defined identities (Lee, 2009). Through her in-
depth study of these youths, Lee is able to reveal the ways in which the larger structures of
class and race play out in the lives of Asian American high school students.
Though the model minority stereotype has been extremely prevalent since the 1960’s,
any close investigation into the data pertaining to Asian Americans will show it is entirely
unfounded. The myth ignores the heterogeneity of Asian American groups and their varied
levels of achievement in the United States. Though it is true that some groups (ex. Asian
Indians, Japanese) have traditionally found success academically, many Southeast Asian
Americans (ex. Hmong, Cambodians) have had a more difficult time. This biased view of
Also I am including recent immigrants from Asia in defining the terms Asian American Japanese American, for the sake of simplicity due to resource and time constraints.
In order for assimilation to occur a minority group becomes an integrated part of the majority group; this assimilation results in non-distinguishing of one group from another by cultural characteristics. In order for this process to be complete, it must entail, not only an active effort by the minority group to shed all distinguishing actions and beliefs, and also complete unqualified acceptance of that individual by the dominant society.
The organizations that would take over other beings and cause them to lose their identity to become a slave to the larger organization. However, Assimilation often associated with a negative connotation with the loss of one’s identity or historical culture as part of an integration process with a new, larger cultural identity. This negative connotation therefore raises racial and cultural identity concerns at the mere mention of the term, which results in a loss of the positive connotations of assimilation and loss of the perspective that assimilation does not require the loss of individual identity. The people involved still retain their individual identities, hopes, dreams, interests, loves, and goals, but they also can function more successfully
20. The maintenance of one’s ethnic ties in a way that can assist with assimilation in larger society is known as
Many researchers have studied the immigrant assimilation in the recent years. America’s ethnic groups have been expected to come together as one and into the mainstream of american society for decades. Immigrant assimilation is a complex process in which immigrants should not only fully integrate themselves to a new country but also lose aspects perhaps all their heritage too if necessary. Social scientists rely on a primary benchmark to assess immigrant assimilation which is socioeconomic status. A melting pot can be described as a metaphor which indicates a society where many different types of people blend in as one.
Have you ever heard the statement that all Asian Americans are good at math and science and they excel educationally? This paper defines the model minority myth, provides historical context in perspective of the Chinese Americans and explains how these Chinese American’s experiences do not fit the model minority myth. The model minority stereotype has various negative assumptions towards Asian Americans and one of them is that it assumes all Asian Americans are a homogenous ethnic group. There are several ways how Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans do not fit the model minority myth. Specifically, the historical context of these Chinese Americans contradicts the model minority stereotype.
Assimilation is the manner in which people of a cultural group start to lose their individuality that makes them different from the more dominant culture, as they seek to fit in. America has been a melting pot of different cultures for centuries, whether it was by choice, forced or for a better life. History has proven that assimilation in America was not acceptable but that has changed over time.
This may seem beneficial for Asian Americans at first; however, the model minority myth is actually detrimental to many segments of the population. This is especially true of recent immigrant Asian Americans. These individuals become deprived of resources because they are expected to have the same level of success as Asian Americans who have already lived in the U.S. for generations. Even in academia, the model minority myth causes Asian Americans to be understudied and misunderstood. Because Asian Americans are perceived to be successful and well-integrated individuals, Lee et al. (2001) show how there is “not enough research” that investigates Asian American mental health (160). In other words, even though some current data show higher rates of mental illness among Asian Americans, the model minority myth has distracted scholars from studying Asian American mental health. Thus, to ensure that Asian
An interesting quote from William Raspberry explaining his thoughts on racial inequality which states, “There are some blacks for whom it is enough to remove the artificial barriers of race. After that, their entry into the American mainstream is virtually automatic. There are others for whom hardly anything would change if, by some magical stroke, racism disappeared from America” (Wilson). This quote is significant in pointing
A survey has said that Asian Americans have a great value on marriages, parernthood, hard work and career success. They had a direct path on having a postive and better life than any other ethnic group in the world.
What is the “model minority” stereotype? It is a common portrayal amongst Asian American students that suggests they are more academically and economically successful than other races. It is believed they are more successful than other minority groups because their cultures value hard work. Throughout the Second Edition of Unraveling the “Model Minority” Stereotype, Stacey Lee investigates this stereotype by examining the population of “Asian American” students at Academic High School.
What is assimilation, and what does it mean to me, especially; in today’s world. “Assimilation is a process of ethnic boundary reduction that may come about when two or more ethnic groups come into contact with each other” (Kelly & Williams, 2016, pg. 71). What this means is, cultural groups take on the identity from that of another cultural groups; such as their cultural norms, values; and beliefs; which is better known as acculturation. Meaning one, or more of these groups take on the similarities that match their cultural beliefs, and combined them with that of homogeneity to fit into society where they practice their own cultural beliefs; and norms. This usually takes place when both ethnic groups have similar qualities, and physical characteristics
“To adopt the ways of another culture: to fully become part of a different society, country, etc.” (Merriam-webster dictionary)
Acculturation is known as a cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures at multiple levels in both interacting cultures. It has also been referred to the changes in personal values, beliefs, behaviours, and ways of living that an immigrant or minority individual makes as a result of adapting to the mainstream cultural or behavioural norms (Berry, Kim, Minde, & Mok, 1987). Acculturation often results in changes to culture, customs, and social institutions. In this modern era, through technology and media, people have been constantly engaging online to learn and understand new cultures, norms and languages. Acculturation is more than simply learning the English language, but also understanding the history of a new country, navigating its idioms and understanding the concepts behind its holidays.
One of the most important concepts that I have learned from class is Assimilation Theory. This theory is based on the adaptation that a certain ethnic group goes through in order to fit in and survive in the new dominant society. For example, according to the book the United States in known to be a predominantly white cultural society, therefore many ethnic groups from all over who choose to come to the U.S often have to assimilate and adapt to the social and cultural norms. Assimilation theory affects many ethnic groups in sense that it can change the way they behave and live in a society. Whenever another ethnic