denny Ethnic & National book

Slated to air on PBS in May, 2013. Stay tuned! Model Minority: Do the Math reveals the impact of the model minority myth on the experiences and perspectives of Asian American (AA) college students. The myth is a complex and contradictory stereotype of AAs as academic over-achievers. While many believe the stereotype is positive, it causes many problems. Asian Americans are overlooked for affirmative action and academic assistance. Tracked by parents, counselors, and social expectations to excel in math-intensive fields, despite their preferences, they struggle to balance personal goals and mental health. The myth diverts attention from systematic structural racism by emphasizing individualism, and pitting AAs against other groups. Viewed as too competitive and taking over colleges, AAs face racial resentment, discrimination, and hate crimes. Model Minority overcomes misconceptions of AA students. Model Minority timely coincides with national priorities and debates on how to increase educational performance and economic participation. It engages school reform, equal opportunity, multiculturalism, race, parenting, and democracy. We will compare the experiences and perspectives of AA college students, faculty, and staff of various ethnic backgrounds in Boston, Chicago, Berkeley and Oakland. In Chicago and Boston, AA students and communities are less numerous, and less integrated into campus curriculum and life than in Berkeley and Oakland. The narrator will reveal ...