Thanks to the perpetuation of a concept called the ‘model minority myth’ when I decided that I’d like to pursue yoga as a career my family told me things like, “That’s a side hobby get a real job” and society told me things like “You’re too spiritual to ever make money off yoga in America.” This is because both parties have subscribed to the idea that Asians are solely meant to come to America to get lots of degrees and achieve wealth. What they don’t know is that they have been fed a boat load of propaganda.

But why, you may ask? Well for the same reason most propaganda exists- to uphold white supremacy! *Cue confetti*. You see when brown people consistently immigrate here and are afforded a life full of status and wealth, America gets to keep selling that crock that we call “The American Dream.” The thing is that dream doesn’t exist for you if you’re black, hispanic, trans, or wish to change the status quo. But because all people of color are lumped together into this ‘otherness’ in the U.S. the model minority myth has consistently worked.

What does this lead to? It leads to massive erasure of their true identity. Asians immigrate here and are immediately taught that their productivity is equivalent to their worth. This leads to mental health complications, and exceedingly high standards that they place onto their children before they’re even born. While they continue to compete with white people for respect and status, they continue to white-wash themselves and disconnect from their ancestry. Their children are left to fill an impossible set of shoes that are meant to carry the weight of the American Dream forward another one hundred years so that no one ever questions if racism truly does exist here. White yoga girls tap into a multi billion dollar industry and get to wear labels like “edgy, fit, and healthy” while South Asians who dare stray away from science and tech fields are labeled lazy and incompetent. The cogs of the machine continue to turn, and no one bats an eye. 

Luckily there are many Asians who have woken up to this scheme. They have decided to take their power back and speak out against this covert form of manipulation. They have noticed an entire slew of first generation kids who have adopted feelings of inadequacy, self esteem issues, and a desire to reconnect with their true roots. Folks who don’t want to be pawns in a chess game that ultimately seeks to keep a few folks at the top in power, and systemic racism alive and well. Who don’t want to be a model minority anymore. They just want to be. 

The best way to combat this issue is to educate ourselves and our peers about this myth so that we can unlearn these narratives together. We can then rewrite what it means to be an Asian American together. We can be free to pursue our interests and passions without the burden of exemplifying ‘success’ in the eyes of the oppressor. Most importantly, we can represent our heritage and roots proudly.

Thank you for reading. I am always open to feedback and questions.