Global Issue: Asian American Xenophobia

An Investigation of Systemic Racism

Introduction Video: Why Asian Americans Are Not The Model Minority

General Notes:
- Asian Americans face the greatest percentage of poverty and are often are
underrepresented in media
- They also face the most amount of work prejudice; however, they also file the least
amount of lawsuits due to a cordial nature.
- The perpetual foreigner syndrome is when people perceive Asian Americans or
other cultures as “not quite American” and as if they are a foreigner despite being
born in the US; this causes a lost sense of belonging.

The Model Minority: The Model Minority Myth & A for Average, B for Bad (only if you
have extra time)

How do even positive stereotypes harm Asian Americans?

A positive stereotype that harms them because they are expected to the well-rounded, highly
educated, and smart. A consequence of this is that it forces them into a category and strips
them of their individualism; it also sets high expectations for them.

What was the Yellow Peril and how did it affect American’s perception and acceptance of
Asian immigrants?

What are some emotional and psychological effects of the Asian American stereotypes?
Asian American stereotypes cause them to feel a certain shame around their high
achievements due to the fact that it makes them similar to many other Asian American
stereotypes.

How does the Model Minority Myth negatively affect other minority groups?

The Bamboo Ceiling: Define America & American Politics

What are the prominent stereotypes of Asian Americans in the workplace?

A prominent stereotype of Asian Americans in the workplace is that they are submissive to
orders. Another stereotype is that people think Asians are always doing well, hiding the
needs of Asian Americans.

Define the Bamboo Ceiling:

When race becomes a barrier to gain leadership as an Asian American and get promoted.
What are some microaggressions experienced by Asian Americans in the workplace?
Lisa Li describes the racism she experiences is less being called slurs than it is getting cut
off several times in a meeting or being made the only person who has to take notes.

How does the Bamboo Ceiling translate into American politics? How many Asian
Americans currently hold positions in Congress?
There is a significant cultural difference that creates a bamboo ceiling in politics, as despite
Asian Americans representing 5% of the US’ population, until 2012, there have only been
two Chinese-American congressmen, both from Hawaii. Currently, there are 13 Asian
Americans in the House of Representatives.

Common Stereotypes & Microaggressions: All Asians Are Smart (stop at min. 5!)
& #thisis2016

*There is offensive language in both videos, so viewer discretion is advised.

What are a few positive stereotypes that are commonly used today? What effects do these
have on Asian Americans?
- Tend to be smarter and more disciplined; automatically a brainiac

Although a positive stereotype seems to not be as racist as negative stereotypes, the idea
that such stereotypes exist still comes off as racist, regardless of the intention behind it.
What are a few negative stereotypes that are commonly used today? What effects do these
have on Asian Americans?
- Will be beaten by parents for not getting high grades in school
- All Asian names sound the same
- Horrible vision
- Assume all Asians are Chinese
- Assumes all Asians are immigrants/fail to realize they are native to America

There are many negative Asian stereotypes that tend to influence many Americans into
thinking all Asians are the same. Similar to the other minority groups within America,
Asians suffer the same discrimination simply due to their physical appearance. With
stereotypes such as poor vision and how all asians “look” the same, they are placed within
this subgroup where Americans fail to comprehend their placement within the US.

Underrepresentation: Yellowface is a bad look, Hollywood & Asian Americans in News

Media
What is Yellowface and how has it evolved over the past century?
Yellowface occurs when white Americans are cast to play Asian roles in TV shows, films,
etc. Since the 1940s, several white actors have been recognized and awarded for their
portrayal of Asian characters, roles that should be given to Asian actors. An example of this
is the 1940s Asian character Charlie Chan, who was played by a white man wearing
makeup; in 2017, Jim Strugess and Hugo Weaving were reincarnated in Cloud Atlas as
Koreans. Unfortunately, Yellowface has remained prominent in Hollywood over the past
century.

What percentage of media workers constitutes Asian Americans? What contributes to this
astonishing figure?
Asian Americans only make up 3% of the broadcast/media workforce. A factor that may be
to blame is cultural bias as numerous psychological and employment studies that have
shown that people tend to be more comfortable and favor people who look like them.
Another contribution to this astonishing figure is gender bias; Asian women are viewed as
innocent, beautiful, etc whereas the image of the Asian male is viewed as threatening.

What are a few damaging effects that result from this gross underrepresentation?
Foremost, the gross underrepresentation, along with Yellowface result in a lack of
authenticity in movies that circle around Asian culture. Furthermore, in relation to the
Model Minority Myth, the underrepresentation of Asians in Hollywood reinforces the false
idea that Asians are only interested in difficult fields such as the engineering or medical
field; this discourages young children from pursuing careers in these fields. Due to the lack
and decrease of Asian American media workers, many Asians feel as if important issues
within their community will continue to be ignored creating a vulnerable and dangerous
environment.

Covid-19 Related Violence: Racism Against Asian Americans Intensifies

& Threats Against Asian Americans Are On The Rise

Explain why there has been an increase in Asian American hate crimes this past year:
Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, hate crimes against Asian Americans have
increased significantly as China is thought to be seen as the origin of the virus, thus leading
hurtful people to target Asian Americans and wrongfully blame them for the spread of the
virus.
What are some ignorant things that people believe and hateful things that people are saying
and doing?
In addition to verbal threats and attacks, there have been physical aggressions, destruction
of local Asian businesses, and obvious avoiding in public towards Asian Americans.
-“You’re not welcome here”
-intentionally using grocery carts to hit or stay away from people
-verbally harassed and attacked
-spit on
-banned from businesses
-targeted vandalism of Asian owned stores
-family stabbed by someone who believed they were infected

How is the Asian American community fighting back?

The Asian American community is spreading awareness of Asian hate crimes and
discrimination through social media. Using sayings like “I am not a virus”, and “wash the
hate” to halt these horrible attacks.