Bakai’s Journal Asian American Studies teaches us about the experiences, challenges and history of Asian Americans. It shows how their identity has been shaped by racism, discrimination and stereotypes, as well as how they have contributed to American society. For this journal I will talk about two ideas- the "yellow peril" and the "model minority" stereotype The "yellow peril" was the fear that Asian immigrants, like Chinese and Japanese, would take jobs and change American society. Because of this fear, laws were made to stop Asian immigration, and racism against Asians was common. These ideas still exist today, where Asian Americans are sometimes treated as outsiders no matter how long their families have lived in the U.S. This label created a lot of challenges for Asian communities to feel accepted and respected. Even now Asian Americans often face discrimination and stereotypes that trace back to this historical fear. The "model minority" stereotype describes Asians as hardworking, successful and obedient. While this might sound positive, it creates a lot of pressure and hides the struggles many Asian Americans face. For example, it doesn’t show the poverty or mental health issues that some people experience. It also divides different racial groups by suggesting that other minorities should act like Asians, which is unfair and harmful. This stereotype oversimplifies the diverse experiences of Asians and makes it hard for people to see their real challenges and identities. These ideas affect what it means to be Asian American. The "yellow peril" made it harder for Asians to fit into society, and the "model minority" puts unfair expectations on them. For example, Southeast Asian refugees often face poverty and mental health challenges, but these struggles are ignored because of the "model minority" myth. Instead of recognizing these problems, society focuses only on the success stories, which makes it harder for those who need help to be heard. These themes connect to my life because they help me understand my friends and community better. One of my friends is Vietnamese American, and their family’s story shows many of these struggles. Their parents came to the U.S. after the Vietnam War and faced poverty and discrimination. Even though they worked hard to build a better life, they still deal with challenges that the "model minority" stereotype doesn’t show (I would not say they are incredibly successful, but very hardworking). Learning about their experiences has helped me see why it’s important to understand everyone’s unique story. It also reminds me to question stereotypes and not judge people based on generalizations. In my own community, I see how stereotypes divide people. The "model minority" myth can make other racial groups feel angry or left out. This creates unnecessary tension between groups that should support each other. I believe learning about these issues can help us break down barriers and focus on building trust and understanding. By doing this, we can work together for equality and fairness for everyone. Supporting each other means recognizing both our differences and shared goals The "yellow peril" and "model minority" ideas show how stereotypes affect Asian American identity. They show the impact of racism and why we need to challenge these ideas to create a more inclusive society. Thinking about these themes has helped me understand Asian American experiences better and inspired me to fight stereotypes and support equality. These lessons are not just about history; they are about how we treat each other today and what kind of future we want to create References Espinoza-Kulick, M.A.V. (2023). Introduction to Ethnic Studies. LibreTexts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Ethnic_Studies/Introduction_to_Ethnic_Studies_( Fischer_et_al.) Espinoza-Kulick, M.A.V., & Hodges, T. (2023). Introduction to Ethnic Studies. LibreTexts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Ethnic_Studies/Introduction_to_Ethnic_Studies_( Fischer_et_al.) Fischer, K., Acevedo, U., Leal, M., & Cheshire, T. (2023). Ethnic Studies and Identity. LibreTexts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Ethnic_Studies/Introduction_to_Ethnic_Studies_( Fischer_et_al.) Nguyen, V., Nieto, F., & Peek, C. (1999). On Strike: Ethnic Studies - 1969-1999. PeekMedia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xovOLk9qE8&t=353s. Leal, M., & Cheshire, T. (2023). Asian American Identity and Resistance. LibreTexts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Ethnic_Studies/Asian_American_Identity.
