Ronald Takaki’s “The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority” is a fantastic piece of writing. He is an Asian American himself so he has much insight on this topic of superiority. He wishes to illustrate that the perceptions of Asian Americans as a “model minority” (103) are not entirely accurate. A “model minority” is a stereotype that is defined as an oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. Although Takaki doesn’t state this definition, he proves it precisely in his article. Takaki indicates that society has indulged the idea that Asian American shopkeepers are entrepreneurs and other Asian Americans have ease in gaining admissions into universities, however this is not the case. The percentage of success for Asian Americans is four percent lower than other groups and many are on welfare. In his article, Tak
Takaki states a theory that Asian Americans have been characterized in the media as “successful in gaining admission to universities” (103). His point is that no one school student in the United States is the same, however the media has made Asian Americans in schools out to be superior students. Takaki is also infuriated at the United State’s politicians using broad assumptions why one race seems to succeed and others who cannot. Statements such as, "If Asian Americans can make it, why can’t African Americans?” (130) add resentment towards Asian Americans. Asians have been taunted as successful entrepreneurs, however comparing family incomes is even more deceiving.
To bring awareness to the reader, Takaki states that not all Asian Americas in the United States are successful. Some Asians do come to America with
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