ABSTRACT
The exchange that opens this chapter captures the essence of the current stereotypes that currently circulate about Chinese North Americans. While the “model minority” characterization may initially seem to be a positive and beneficial one, it has some negative effects. As antiracist researcher and educators Beverly Tatum and Stacey Lee explain, in terms of intergroup relations, the model minority stereotype has served to pit North-American Asians against other groups targeted by racism. The accusing message to other people of color is, “They overcame discrimination-why can’t you?” It has also contributed to White resentment, leading to an increase in anti-Asian violence.2 As well, uncritical acceptance of the stereotype has also concealed the needs and problems of those Asians who have not experienced the success of
1 This exchange was reproduced in Tatum (1997, p. 160) and can been
heard in the video “Skin Deep,” produced and directed by Reid (1995).
