I Am an Asian American, but Invisible

by Ada Lin

     Andy is a high school student attending school in Manhattan, and he identifies as Southeast Asian American or Vietnamese American. As Andy was working on his one-pager on resources for Vietnamese New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic for his project, Andy was left helpless. As Andy was researching for data and resources, he realized there was insufficient data. Most of the data would use the words “Asian American.” However, Andy stated that the Asian communities are so diverse that these data cannot be accurate when describing any sub-groups. Left with no choice, Andy changed the focus population to Asian American; however, Andy knew he wouldn’t give this to his parents, because it did not completely speak to the Vietnamese community. This experience triggered Andy to recall a time when he helped his parents to initiate a call to a social service agency. When they asked for a translator, they were asked if they needed a Mandarin or a Korean translator. “It is because my last name is Lee, and I said I am Asian American.”

Who Are Asian Americans?

     The 2000 U.S. Census defines “Asian Americans” as persons having origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. East Asian countries include China, Japan, South Korea, and others. South Asian countries include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and others. Southeast Asian countries include Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and others. There are more than 40 countries in Asia and hundreds of languages spoken among Asian Americans. However, the North Carolina Asian Americans Together (n.d.) pointed out that when people refer to “Asian American,” it is often centered around East Asians and excludes all other Asia regions. Classifying a diverse and multiethnic group under one single category of Asian Americans ignores the differences among the groups. Asian Americans are significantly different in their immigration experiences, education, social class, cultural beliefs, and values (Tsui & Huynh, 2021). Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial and ethnic groups in the United States. To better serve and advocate for the Asian American communities, it is critical to recognize that the needs among Asian Americans vary and should be addressed in a culturally sensitive way. 

Model Minority Myth

     The model minority myth characterizes Asian Americans as a high achieving, hard-working, and intellectually outstanding monoethnic group. The myth also depicts Asian Americans as successful businessmen or having high-paying jobs in the STEM field. The myth dates back to the 19th century, when the Chinese immigrants were compared to their counterparts while working on the transcontinental railroad—they were recognized for their hard-working ethic. Although this stereotype has its positive outlook, it is harmful to any Asian American who does not fit into the stereotype. The model minority myth ignores the systematic racism faced by Asian Americans.

     There are many misconceptions associated with the model minority myth. One is that Asian Americans do not encounter challenges like other communities of color. Another is that Asian Americans do not seek or need resources (Museus & Kiang, 2009). People often fail to acknowledge that Asian Americans also face barriers and difficulties faced by other communities of color, such as limited English proficiency and lack of access to healthcare, housing, or adequate and equitable funding for community-based organizations.

     Social workers and social services agencies interested in working with the Asian American community need to recognize the impact of these misconceptions on the community members and empower community members to utilize their services. Furthermore, social workers need to advocate for Asian American community members to bring the issues the communities are experiencing to the public.

COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Hate

     Throughout history, Asian Americans have been blamed by American society. Chinese and Japanese women were prohibited from entering the country in the Page Act of 1875. The Page Act of 1875 assumes Chinese and Japanese women immigrated for prostitution and are, therefore, dangerous to American society (Tsui & Huynh, 2021). Chinese immigrants were excluded by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans were sent to concentration camps during World War II. And in 1934, only 50 Filipinos were allowed to immigrate to the United States per year (Ispahani & Ramdas, 2021). Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread racism and created national fear of Asian Americans as it was believed to emerge from China. Blame was quickly put onto Asian Americans, particularly East Asian Americans. Identity-based violence has always been a threat to communities of color, and social workers must continue to fight for racial justice for all communities of color (NASW, 2021).

     COVID-19 exacerbated xenophobia toward Asian Americans. However, the needs of Asian American communities continue to be minimized in the public eye. Many Chinese-owned small businesses were hurt before the national lockdown in March 2020. Long-term unemployment rose sharply among Asian Americans who became unemployed starting February 2021. Eastern Asian Americans were often verbally and physically attacked in public places, such as trains, streets, schools, and other areas after January 2020. The needs for mental health services among the Asian American communities are higher than before.

     As mentioned, the needs of Asian Americans vary. It is not possible to adequately understand and assess the needs of Asian American communities and provide equitable resources without the correct data. As we are recovering from COVID-19, it is essential to re-examine how we collect data among the Asian American communities.

     A bill sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, Assembly Bill A6896A, requires state agencies to collect separate databases on ethnicity or regions—for example, for each major Asian group, including, but not limited to, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian, Laotian, Cambodian, Bangladeshi, and Hmong. The bill also requires the data to be accessible to the public for the regional and local government to strategically and adequately provide funding and resources for those in need.

Why Social Workers Should Care

     As the National Association of Social Workers (2021) points out, we need to raise “our collected voice and commit to ending hate and racism.” The model minority myth has drawn the lines between Asian Americans and other communities of color, making Asian Americans the “others” who do not need resources and support. The myth has also made standing in solidarity among communities of color a challenge. To better serve communities of color, a better data collecting system needs to be enacted. Without clear data collection, state and city governments cannot provide equitable funding to meet the needs of the communities. In addition to the different needs, outreach methods will vary depending on the cultural and ethnic background of the community.

     Social workers need to be aware of the growing and varying needs among Asian American communities. Without adequate funding, social workers cannot provide adequate support for their community members. Research methods and outreach strategies need to be culturally sensitive.

     As part of the COVID recovery plan, it is impossible to conduct vaccine outreach, mental health outreach, small business supports, and other areas of need without a complete breakdown of the data on different needs in different communities.

     A bill like A6896A calls for data disaggregation among the Asian American communities. A clear breakdown and fair representation in the database are needed to counterargue the model minority myth; bring the needs of Asian American communities to public attention; and finally, for communities of color to find common ground, stand in solidarity, and advocate for an equitable system.

References

Ispahani, L., & Ramdas, K. N. (2021). A history of Anti-Asian hate in the United States. Open Society Foundations. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/a-history-of-anti-asian-hate-in-the-united-states.

Museus, S. D., & Kiang, P. N. (2009). Deconstructing the model minority myth and how it contributes to the invisible minority reality in higher education research. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2009(142), 5-15.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2021, March). NASW calls for an end to hate, racism and gun violence against Asian Americans. NASW - National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/News/News-Releases/ID/2298/NASW-Calls-for-an-End-to-Hate-Racism-and-Gun-Violence-Against-Asian-Americans.

North Carolina Asian Americans Together. (n.d.). Defining “Asian American.” North Carolina Asian Americans Together. https://ncaatogether.org/about-us/defining-asian-american/

Tsui, E. K., & Huynh, M. (2021). Combating Anti–Asian American/Pacific Islander racism through local health departments and schools of public health. American Journal of Public Health, 111(8), 1470–1472. https://doi-org.avoserv2.library.fordham.edu/10.2105/ajph.2021.306391

Ada Lin is an MSW student at Fordham University, where she will graduate in May 2022. Ada is Program Coordinator at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF).