Dismissing a Harmful Myth The “all Asians are smart stereotype” is not something new and was actually addressed over twenty years ago in an essay by Ronald Takaki. The essay opens with rhetorical questions to get the audience thinking to set the problem and transitions directly into the issue by stating the stereotype of Asians as the model minority. The rest of the essay displays statistics and experiences of Asian Americans to help argue that Asian Americans do not have it as easy as the majority of “politicians and pundits” seem to believe. The author brings to attention that this stereotype only increases their inequality and creates a sense of animosity toward them from African Americans. The essay was published in the New York
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During the time it was published (1990), anti-Asian American violence and laws were peaking. Despite President Reagan’s Civil Liberties Act of 1988 apologizing for Japanese American internment, inequality among America’s minorities was still very present (Asian Pacific American). The stereotype of Asian American success was shrouding a very serious issue and only represented a small percentage of a large and widey ranging minority. Instead of this stereotype creating a positive image, it only increased difficulties for Asian Americans during a critical time. Looking back in the past twenty years, Takaki was correct in stating that the stereotype was harmful and anticipated serious consequences of it such as the L.A. race riots among other violent acts involving Asian Americans. The argument also uncovers that while some Asian Americans could move up in status, they eventually reached the “glass ceiling” and were limited by factors left out of their control. Ronald Takaki’s essay, “The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority” describes why the stereotype is so negative and works to dismiss this dangerous myth with statistics, first hand accounts, an appropriate …show more content…
Even though this background may make him biased, it makes him a primary source on the struggles of a minority. Takaki’s grandparents were laborers from Japan which places Takaki in the Asian American category and implies that he was at some point the subject of the myth that Asian Americans are the model minority. Takaki’s specialization in ethnic studies and history in Asian Americans establish that he is a reliable source in his argument. He takes facts and knowledge gained from over the years to present a clear argument for both sides of the spectrum. His style and tone do not suggest passion or aggression, but do give the effect of an activist. As a result, his argument is more objective and the tone takes on a logical quality. Furthermore, his tone is confident in making statements such as “The celebration of Asian Americans has obscured reality” and “Even Japanese Americans...have not reached equality” (Takaki 123). This confidence leads to a stronger argument that the reader is more likely to agree with. Through his confident and scholarly tone, Takaki creates an esteemed persona contributing to the effectiveness of his
During the time it was published (1990), anti-Asian American violence and laws were peaking. Despite President Reagan’s Civil Liberties Act of 1988 apologizing for Japanese American internment, inequality among America’s minorities was still very present (Asian Pacific American). The stereotype of Asian American success was shrouding a very serious issue and only represented a small percentage of a large and widey ranging minority. Instead of this stereotype creating a positive image, it only increased difficulties for Asian Americans during a critical time. Looking back in the past twenty years, Takaki was correct in stating that the stereotype was harmful and anticipated serious consequences of it such as the L.A. race riots among other violent acts involving Asian Americans. The argument also uncovers that while some Asian Americans could move up in status, they eventually reached the “glass ceiling” and were limited by factors left out of their control. Ronald Takaki’s essay, “The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority” describes why the stereotype is so negative and works to dismiss this dangerous myth with statistics, first hand accounts, an appropriate …show more content…
Even though this background may make him biased, it makes him a primary source on the struggles of a minority. Takaki’s grandparents were laborers from Japan which places Takaki in the Asian American category and implies that he was at some point the subject of the myth that Asian Americans are the model minority. Takaki’s specialization in ethnic studies and history in Asian Americans establish that he is a reliable source in his argument. He takes facts and knowledge gained from over the years to present a clear argument for both sides of the spectrum. His style and tone do not suggest passion or aggression, but do give the effect of an activist. As a result, his argument is more objective and the tone takes on a logical quality. Furthermore, his tone is confident in making statements such as “The celebration of Asian Americans has obscured reality” and “Even Japanese Americans...have not reached equality” (Takaki 123). This confidence leads to a stronger argument that the reader is more likely to agree with. Through his confident and scholarly tone, Takaki creates an esteemed persona contributing to the effectiveness of his