Letters to the Editor
September 6, 2007
Model Minority Rhetoric Masks Underachievement
Every coin has two sides. Arthur Hu presents one view of student achievement for Asian Pacific Islander students in his column (“The Model Minority Never Went Away,” Aug. 24).
However, such discussions often overlook students who are struggling and mask the widespread underachievement of some groups.
While educational attainment among some API groups is relatively high, census data from 2000 show that many Southeast Asians, in particular, have less than a high school education.
Among APIs over the age of 25, 60 percent of Hmong, 53 percent of Cambodians, 50 percent of Laotians and 38 percent of Vietnamese, have not completed high school. In comparison, the national dropout rate for U.S. high school students is estimated to be 30 percent.
Similar challenges are reflected in the number of APIs who earn advanced degrees. The national average is 24 percent, but only 8 percent of Hmong, 19 percent of Vietnamese and 14 percent of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders over age 25, have earned a bachelor’s degree or more based on census figures.
The National Education Association is urging a number of initiatives to improve API achievement. They include improving research on APIs by disaggregating the data and experiences of each ethnicity.
This will lead to the creation of support services and instruction where they are most needed. The Association also supports federal policies to ensure schools have more capacity to serve English-language learners and to ensure that there is more outreach to API parents, including bilingual support.
The myth that all API students are high-achievers can be detrimental, because it fails to address those students who need help, support and focused resources to succeed.
Reg Weaver
President, National Education Association
Washington, D.C.
This article reaffirms the racist stereotype of the hyper-competitive Asian student.
The reality is that Asian children are just as prone to act out as their non-Asian counterparts.
The proliferation of violent gangs among Southeast Asian kids bears testament to this. Where’s their much-vaunted humility, their recognition of authority, their commitment to the community, all of which are projected as prototypical Asian attributes?
Christian
[full name withheld]
Via e-mail
Standard-Bearer
As usual, I find myself in near-total agreement with Emil (“The Whitening of Asian America: Are Asian Americans White?,” Aug. 24). But I must append the thought that all of us are part and parcel of the so-called mainstream ambiance.
Establishment “standards” have nothing to do with either intelligence or abilities.
Frank Eng
Via e-mail
Louise Wu Fan Club
We are so very proud of the 2007 Miss Asian America Queen, Louise Wu (“And the Winner Is …,” Aug. 17).
She is an inspiration to girls and women everywhere!
Lisa & Keith Banks
Via e-mail
The tide has turned. Beautiful women can be intelligent, too. You go, girl.
Tim [full name withheld]
Via e-mail
Playwright or Playwrong?
We have a very young maverick: Lauren Yee, playwright — if one can call it “right” (“‘Chinamen’ Gets A Chance at NY Fringe Fest,” Aug. 10).
What a poor family life she must have, doing things to hurt a community. There are enough anti-Chinese products on this planet. I hope the play never gets off the ground. How hurtful!
Wonder if Al Sharpton will comment on this.
Jho Kwai
Sonoma, Calif.
CORRECTION: Gerry Shih is the writer of the series “Pressure Points” (“Dear Editor,” Aug. 24).
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