Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are a model minority.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders belong to a single “Asian American” culture.
Asian immigrants to the U.S. tend to be already highly educated and from the middle or upper class, for a number of reasons. Thus, they get a completely different start in life in the U.S. compared to other minorities. Although Asians achieve a much greater degree of success in the U.S., the "model minority" stereotype is a myth because Asian-Americans still bump into the glass ceiling, receive lower pay even with the same qualifications, and have higher poverty rates. The image of boat people escaping the ravages of war and communism to take full advantage of American opportunities is also a myth, in that Southeast Asians actually have the lowest success rate of all Asians.
Almost 90% of all Asian Americans come from just six countries: China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. U.S. residents who say they are Asian or Asian in a combination with one or more other races comprise 5% of the total U.S. population (13.1 million). Since Census 2000, the number of people who are part of this group has increased 9%, the highest growth rate of any ethnic group.
While Chinese Americans and Filipino Americans are the two largest groups by country of origin within the Asian-American community, other groups relatively new to the United States such as Asian-Indian Americans, Vietnamese and Koreans have become more numerous in recent years. Immigrants from India represent the fastest growing segment — more than doubling in size since 1990.
Those two statements are patently ridiculous!
First, Asian-Americans include Israelis, Saudis, Jordanians, Syrians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Kuwaitis, Turks, Afghans, Kazakhs, Russians, Tajiks, Kyrgiz, Uzbeks, Yemenis, Omanese, Iraqis, Iranians, Bahrainians, Pakistanis, Indians, Mongols,
Chinese, Laotians, Bangladeshis, Burmese, Malaysians, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Thais, North Koreans, South Koreans, Cambodians, and Japanese.
Since there are so many different cultures on the mainland of Asia, plus many more in the Pacific Islands, there is no way we can lump them together.
Where did this question come from?
Did you notice that the website you used for this paragraph is from a group that is lobbying for affirmative action for Asian-Americans?
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-aamodel.htm
This is a question in an online Ethnicity course....and of course the information in the text is over 6 years old.
The statement that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are a model minority and belong to a single "Asian American" culture requires some clarification. Both of these claims can be addressed separately:
1. Model Minority: The term "model minority" refers to the perception that some ethnic and racial minority groups, including Asian Americans, have achieved a high level of success in areas such as education, income, and professional careers. While it is true that Asian Americans on average have higher levels of education and income compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States, it is important to note that generalizing the entire Asian American population as a model minority can be misleading and overlooks the diversity and disparities within this group. Asian Americans, like any other population, consist of individuals with a range of experiences and circumstances, and not all Asian Americans share the same level of achievement. It is crucial to recognize and address the challenges and unique needs that different individuals within the Asian American community may face.
2. Single "Asian American" Culture: It is incorrect to assume that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders belong to a single "Asian American" culture. The term "Asian American" is an umbrella category that encompasses a diverse range of ethnicities, nationalities, languages, and cultures from different countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Asian Americans come from various Asian countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and many others, each with their own unique history, traditions, languages, and cultural practices. Pacific Islanders, on the other hand, represent a separate group that includes diverse cultures from the Pacific Islands, such as Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, and Fiji, among others. Each of these cultures has its own distinct identity, customs, languages, and traditions. While there may be shared experiences and cultural influences among different Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, it is important to recognize and respect the individuality and diversity within these groups.
In conclusion, it is important to avoid generalizations and recognize that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders encompass a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. It is crucial to acknowledge the unique challenges and disparities that different individuals within these communities may face, and to appreciate and respect the diversity that exists within the Asian American and Pacific Islander population.