FREE ESSAY ON ASIAN SUPERIORITY

ASIAN SUPERIORITY

Maria E Welbourne
Eng.2
J.Corcoran
The Celebration of Asian Americans has Obscured Reality
Ronald Takaki vocalizes in his article that "The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority"is not
to assume that all Asian Americans are indeed successful, so it's incorrect to generalize
any particular race as superior over another. I believe this is true in the US today
Asians in public schools are made to be great students. This mentality fails when we
realize that not all students are the same. Takaki's persona is outraged at our own
politicians using these broad assumptions to propagate why one race seems to succeed with
little or no government assistance and others who cannot. Then to compare the success of
Asians to the African American and saying "If Asian Americans can make it, why can't
African Americans?" Statements such as these, add fuel to a roaring fire of resentment
towards Asian Americans. Asians have been touted as successful entrepreneurs, but
comparing family incomes is even more deceptive. Some Asian American groups do have
higher family incomes than Caucasians. But they have more workers per family.
This model minority image " is homogenized and hides their many differences, as stated by
Takaki. For example, while thousand of Asian students are in universities, others are on
the streets, living in motels, or in gangs. A great percentage of Asians from New York
City's Chinatown live at or below poverty level. 
Takaki's purpose was to bring awareness to the reader as to the harmful labels we imply
on Asian Americans. Not all Asians are successful here in the US because in their country
certain licensing is not needed to be a professional. When these people come to the US
with poor English are then limited to the jobs they can do. Therefore are limited to
menial dishwasher, caretaker positions. This is not fair. I feel our country is arrogant
when migrants come to the US. Japanese individuals earn good incomes that are comparable
to that of Caucasians. But what you don't know is that the Japanese have to endure higher
education, and work many more hours. 
Takaki focuses on all the unfairness that goes on in today's marketplace and with the
discrimination Asian Americans receive. His argument mainly states interesting facts that
contradict what we read in the newspapers or hear on the evening news. 
The author is angered and wishes for everyone to understand that Asians are not the
"Model Minority". There is no such thing as a model minority. Immigrants' struggle hard
or harder to make ends meet and become successful. His Persona is that of a frustrated
individual who just read an article in the paper and has cast his rebuttal for all to
see. His method of displaying his facts was effective and enlightening. But I think It
would have been ideal if he would have included an opposing argument in his In general, I
believe his argument was effective. Now I do have a better understanding of where he's
coming from.