Essay: Navigating the Asian-American Experience of Racism & the Impact of White Supremacy

The Asian-American Experience of Racism
To live in America as an Asian is to be at a disadvantage because what is considered “normal” in society is to be White. Growing up, I subconsciously believed the distorted messages about the long-existing European standards of beauty and felt pressure to be an overachiever. However, feeling embarrassed and depressed about my academic performance and conforming to aesthetics for assimilation are the least of my troubles. Despite the inaccurate myth that Asians are the “model minority,” or the perception that Asians will achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average, a strong work ethic is not the cure to the persistent struggles that characterize their existence. The omnipresence of white supremacy is responsible for the social inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination that exist toward Asian Americans.
In the examination of achievement and economic reward, the impact of race for Asians speaks volumes in American society. The stereotype that Asians are low on social skill impairs their economic and social mobility. “The likelihood of having higher education among Asian Americans is 1.5 times greater than Whites, … [yet] levels and duration of employment are lower for Asian Americans than for Whites (Segal).” As the minority most likely to succeed, they are the least likely to be promoted into leadership because of economic and social inequality by race. In Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians, Jane Hyun explores the “bamboo ceiling,” or barriers that exclude Asians from executive positions that cannot be explained by qualifications or job performance (Nonprofit Quarterly).
Those who believe erroneous stereotypes about Asians can begin to dislike Asians. The inclination to act based on their dislike becomes an attitude toward members of the Asian race, which is also known as prejudice. “Skin color represents a relevant physical feature that shapes social treatment and ensuing personal psychological processes for many Asian Americans (Tran).” The idolized pale complexion of Whites is tied to psychological anguish and adverse social experiences for Asian American women in particular. In contrast to their White counterparts, Asians exhibit the physical characteristics of epicanthic folds, or the small folds that cover the inner corners of the eyes that give the appearance of almond shapes, low nasal bridges, and a brown, yellow, or olive complexion that can include red undertones. Because of these differences, derogatory remarks are made about the racial group, engendering the emotions of uncomfortableness and self-consciousness about their race and ethnicity, which has serious consequences for their mental health. As small eyes and low, wide noses are believed to be unfavorable, unique Asian characteristics are being lost to the growing popularity and acceptance of operations such as the incisional double eyelid surgery, commonly known as “Asian eyelid surgery,” and Asian rhinoplasty. These cosmetic corrections are completed in order to be more competitive and to gain acceptance in society.
Once a person acts on their forethoughts and desires to be intolerant, this becomes discrimination. Whites have the invisible resource of race, meaning that they will be treated better in numerous situations. Workplace discrimination for Asian Americans in the United States exists in how evaluators perceive Asian Americans’ competence and social skills and how these perceptions affect the evaluators’ decisions in hiring and promotion (Lai).
A common misconception is that Asian Americans have pride in their designation as the “model minority.” Yet, it is a racial microaggression is a gross reduction of their experiences that oppresses and pits one minority group against the others. Through the assumption of their intelligence and financial security, opportunities for Asian Americans who are inadequate of these certain measures lessen. Social inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination affect their quality of life.