The “model minority” myth is a powerful narrative that has historically positioned Asian Americans as a “successful” minority group, often to the detriment of other marginalized communities. This myth has deep roots in the divide-and-conquer strategy employed by white supremacy to maintain social and racial hierarchies.
Origins of the Model Minority Myth
The concept of the “model minority” emerged in the 1960s, particularly in response to the Civil Rights Movement. As Black Americans demanded justice, equality, and systemic change, some white political leaders and media outlets began to uplift Asian Americans as an example of a “successful minority.” The narrative suggested that Asian Americans had achieved economic success and social stability through hard work, obedience, and cultural values — implicitly contrasting this with negative stereotypes about Black communities.
How the Model Minority Myth Functions as a Divide-and-Conquer Strategy
- Pitting Minorities Against Each Other: By portraying Asian Americans as “successful” and Black Americans as “problematic,” white supremacy sought to create division between these groups. The implication was that if Asians could succeed, then systemic racism couldn’t be the problem — placing blame on Black individuals and communities rather than addressing structural inequities.
- Undermining the Civil Rights Movement: The myth was strategically promoted to discredit calls for racial justice. By pointing to Asian American achievement, opponents of the Civil Rights Movement argued that racial discrimination couldn’t be a real barrier — reinforcing narratives of meritocracy that ignored deeply entrenched social inequities.
- Obscuring Anti-Asian Racism: The model minority stereotype made it difficult for Asian Americans to speak out about their own struggles with discrimination, poverty, and violence. It minimized the real hardships that Asian immigrants faced, including exploitative labor conditions, exclusion laws, and racial violence.
- Creating Social Isolation: The myth pressured Asian Americans to align themselves with whiteness to maintain social acceptance. This discouraged solidarity with Black and Brown communities, isolating Asian Americans from broader racial justice efforts.
Reclaiming Solidarity and Truth
Understanding this divide-and-conquer strategy is crucial for building trust and solidarity. Asian Americans who engage in racial justice can actively dismantle this harmful narrative by:
- Educating their communities about the myth’s origins and how it has been used to suppress collective action.
- Affirming Black struggles for justice as legitimate and interconnected with Asian American experiences.
- Rejecting narratives of superiority and embracing humility as they engage with other marginalized groups.
By confronting the model minority myth head-on, Asian American Christians can foster deeper connections with Black communities in the shared pursuit of justice, truth, and reconciliation — demonstrating that solidarity, not division, is the path toward true equity.
