All Brown Everything

In their first episode, the All Brown Everything hosts tackle a big issue: the Model Minority Myth. They delve into the effects of this societal construct, from its impact on black-Asian racial relations to its detrimental ramifications on mental health. With segments on Instagram activists and the increasingly popular term ‘BIPOC,’ this episode is full of discussion. Be sure to tune into next week’s episode about affirmative action and privilege, with a special guest from a fellow Grant Magazine reporter. Brief historical guide for the Model Minority Myth: After the beginning of the gold rush in 1848 and the resulting economic boost in America, there was an influx of Chinese immigrants seeking wealth. Many were seeking jobs, hoping to start their lives in America. But Americans and the government felt threatened by this wave of new laborers, thinking that they would be taking jobs from other citizens. By 1882, President Arthur had signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which put a ten year ban on immigration from China to the United States. It also prevented current Chinese-Americans from seeking naturalization, the process of acquiring legal citizenship for a person immigrating from another country. This sentiment followed American legislation for years to come, with a complete ban being placed on Chinese immigration in 1902, and restrictions on many other Asian countries. Chinese people were not viewed positively. White workers in the mines actively displayed violence against Chinese miners, and in 1854 the Supreme Court ruled that Chinese, African, and Native Americans could not testify in court, which meant they would receive no justice for this violence. By the peak of the War in the Pacific against Japan, America was in desperate need for an ally, and they set their eyes on China. But the deeply rooted depictions and portrayals of Chinese-Americans threatened the possibility of that allyship. To assuage this, The Citizens Committee to Repeal Chinese Exclusion began creating a stream of propaganda. Through posters and newspapers, the media spread new messages about Chinese citizens, which portrayed them as quiet, well behaved, and hard-working citizens. Despite the past violence and racism that had been so outwardly acted on against Chinese-Americans, they were now being praised for being obedient and respectful. This propaganda became the commonly accepted idea of all Asian-Americans, particularly East Asians. By the 1960’s, the propaganda campaign established itself as a societal norm. And so the Model Minority Myth was born: a collection of cultural misconceptions and stereotypes that paint Asians as naturally and inherently smart, wealthy, and hardworking people; therefore, they cannot experience racism because these are seen as “positive” stereotypes. Even with this seemingly positive view of Asian-Americans, mockery and discrimination still ran rampant, even in an era of Civil Rights. Popular movies often contained yellowface alongside a plethora of stereotypes. The well known film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” portrays actor Mickey Rooney as a very stereotypical Asian immigrant. Shows and movies such as “Flash Gordon,” “Kung Fu” and “Little Britain,” all cast white actors in the roles of Asian-Americans, making them the butt of a joke, even in a society that allegedly wanted to portray Asians in a positive light. This Model Minority Myth is still alive today. Though the result was “positive” stereotypes, this myth was made to weaponize Asian Americans to benefit wartime America.