The False and Flimsy Shield of the Model Minority: A Lesson from the COVID-19 Pandemic
TW: Racism, violence, war, mental health, disease
“You’re lucky that people automatically think you’re smart, hardworking, and good at math. Sounds like a good problem to have!”
I looked at my friend, taken aback by their comment. I replied, “Well the joke is on them because I am really bad at math!”. At the time I remember thinking maybe my friend was right – those weren’t necessarily bad qualities and other people (races) face much worse judgments. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was using the myth of the model minority as a shield.
I grew up feeling a sense of safety in my body where I was not perceived as a physical threat to those around me. I was privileged in the sense that I never worried about how police officers or security personnel would treat me. As an Asian woman of average stature, I usually do not impose fear or intimidation upon others. However, that was not always the case for those of Asian descent.
From the 19th century to the mid-twentieth century, Asians were stereotyped as “yellow peril” due to the fear of Asian invasion and domination in the Americas.
The stereotype of yellow peril depicts Asians as ruthless, dangerous, immoral, untrustworthy, diseased, and inassimilable foreigners with low intellect who want to take over other nations.
The myth of yellow peril was based on the premise that Asians posed a threat to the Western world and ultimately helped set the stage for various anti-Asian policies and activities including the United States’ Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Canada’s Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, and the creation of Japanese internment camps during World War II.
However, over time, the image of Asians changed. During the Civil Rights Movement, a new Asian stereotype was born. Asians were eventually regarded as the model minority.
The model minority stereotype depicts Asians as highly educated, conformist, family-oriented, and law-abiding over-achievers.
While on the surface the stereotype may seem positive, it has many detrimental effects (more on that later!). Ultimately, the image of Asians now being the model minority was created to downplay the existence of racism and help set the standard for “acceptable” behavior for other racialized communities – Asians were now a scapegoat.
I grew up internalizing the model minority stereotype and it defined much of my academic and professional career. In some ways, I (falsely) found safety in the model minority stereotype by being considered an excellent worker, intelligent student, and responsible citizen. However, the facade came crashing down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the beginning of the pandemic, the source of the outbreak was traced back to China with a focus on uncleanliness and eating foreign foods. As a result, all those who appeared to be Asian were seen as a threatening embodiment of the virus. Despite the WHO recommending the avoidance of naming diseases with reference to geographic location, culture, or language to reduce the potential for fear and backlash, it did not prevent various media outlets, politicians, and many others from calling COVID-19 the “Wuhan Flu”, “Kung-Flu”, “Chinese Virus” and “China Virus”.
Unfortunately, the blaming of racialized groups for infectious illnesses and pandemics is not new or uncommon. There have been many cases of racialized diseases and subsequent discrimination such as the treatment of West African immigrants during the Ebola outbreak, Irish immigrants for cholera, Jewish immigrants for tuberculosis, and syphilis being blamed on French or German peoples (depending on location). COVID-19 is also not the first time that illness has been embodied by or blamed on Asians as evident by the SARS outbreak, smallpox epidemic in San Francisco, and bubonic plague in Honolulu.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asians were depicted as the cause and carriers of the virus – once again returning to the yellow peril stereotype. It no longer mattered that I was the “model minority”. My body was now perceived to be a threat to those around me.
“Go back to China!”
I turned around in the canned food aisle, seeing the woman give me a scathing look, cover her mouth, and walk briskly in the opposite direction of the grocery store. It was not the first time that someone had told me to “go back to China”. In fact, I had heard it many times growing up (along with many racial slurs). However, this time was different. Because now, emboldened by the numbers, people were outwardly afraid and angry.
The spread of the COVID-19 virus was accompanied by an increasing amount of discrimination, harassment, and violence towards businesses and individuals who appeared of Asian descent. In one survey, over 40% of participants admitted that they would or had engaged in at least one discriminatory behavior towards those who appeared to be of Asian descent including avoiding sitting next to an Asian person, limiting interactions with Asian coworkers and customers, and avoiding Asian restaurants. There were multiple documented hate crimes towards those who appeared Asian and their property, including stabbings, throwing of acid, physical assault, vandalism, and property damage. In 2021, anti-Asian hate crimes rose by 717% in Vancouver and 600% in Ottawa. For many of us, the pandemic brought more than the fear of illness. COVID-19 also elevated the fear of being stigmatized, discriminated against, and physically attacked just for appearing Asian.
To maintain the status quo, we are conveniently depicted as the model minority. But when there is economic adversity, wars, or illness, we are yellow peril. Whether we are the model minority or yellow peril, the message remains the same: we are perpetual foreigners. No matter where I was born, what language(s) I speak, the achievements I have worked for, the career that I have built, or the family that I have found – I am regularly reminded that I am “other”.
Being a model minority did not shield us during the pandemic.
But it has always been a false and flimsy shield.
The model minority stereotype delegitimizes the existence of racial inequality by suggesting that Asians have achieved economic, educational, occupational, and social success and therefore are not underprivileged and do not experience racism. The concept of a model minority inaccurately promotes the belief that Asians achieved full acceptance and success through hard work, education, and family values. We know this is not true. The COVID-19 pandemic was just another global example of how vulnerable a group of people can be when there is any perception of threat. It’s hard not to worry – who’s next?
Reflection Questions
What other inequities were present during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Consider other dimensions of diversity such as race, gender, socio-economic status, geographical location, health status, age, employment status, education level, etc.).
What are some examples of individuals, groups, coalitions, activities, events, and/or initiatives that fought against the rise in anti-Asian hate? How can we continue to show support and build momentum for lasting change?
What has been your understanding and experiences regarding the model minority stereotype and/or yellow peril? Other racialized diseases/illnesses?
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