The Challenge

 

According to Rice University Sociologist Dr. Stephen Klineberg, although Asians achieve a greater degree of success in the U.S. than other minorities, the “model minority” stereotype that all Asians are successful is a myth because Asian Americans . . .”receive lower pay even with the same qualifications, and have higher poverty rates than Caucasians.”

 

The image of boat people escaping the ravages of war and communism to take full advantage of American opportunities is a myth. According to Klineberg, Southeast Asians actually have the lowest success rate of all Asians. While it is true some Asian Americans tend to have a high school GPA which is higher than that of other students, many people do not realize that income inequality is severe within the Asian-American community.

 

Due to the “model minority” myth, support programs for Asians are drastically underfunded compared to other communities. Many deserving Asian students are underserved. Also, Asia is not a homogeneous society with a shared family and work ethic. It is a land of more than 25 countries, sharply delineated by oceans, culture, language, religion and economy. This produces wide disparities in the success of Asian immigrant families.