Introduction
Asian Americans have a unique and complex relationship with power, privilege, and oppression issues. While Asian Americans are often considered a “model minority” and assumed to have achieved success through hard work and cultural values, many Asian Americans also experience discrimination and marginalization (Keum et al., 2022). Additionally, there is significant diversity among the Asian American population, with different ethnic groups experiencing privilege and oppression differently. Examining these issues is crucial for understanding the experiences of Asian Americans and working towards a more equitable society. As a result, this paper will discuss various aspects, notably theories applicable to Asian Americans’ challenges when practicing with Asian Americans, and techniques and best practices for Asian Americans.
Discuss the theory applicable to Asian Americans.
Several theories might be helpful when looking at issues of power, privilege, and oppression among Asian Americans. For example, the Social Dominance Theory posits that in every society, there exists a complex set of social classes (La Macchia & Radke, 2020). People in higher positions have more power and privileges than those in lower levels. According to the Social Dominance Theory, there are two types of social hierarchies, one based on collective dominance and the other on individual dominance. In a group-based dominance hierarchy, individuals of the dominant group have a more social position and sway than those of the subordinate group. However, in individual-based dominance hierarchies, members of the dominant group only have greater prestige and power than members of the subordinate group if they are individually superior to them in terms of ability, making the system more flexible (La Macchia & Radke, 2020). The Social Dominance Theory has been used to explain a wide range of phenomena, including but not limited to prejudice, discrimination, political ideology, and intergroup conflict. The idea has also been used to study social hierarchies’ durability and adaptability.
Intersectionality Theory is another option; it argues that a person’s many identities, including their race, gender, and socioeconomic status, interact to create their unique oppression and advantage (Mena & Bolte, 2019). Through the lens of “intersectionality,” we may see how a person’s many identities interact to shape their unique encounters with privilege and prejudice. A person’s experience can only be understood as a whole by considering their entire identity, as the theory holds. In the 1980s, legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw used the term “intersectionality” to describe the dynamic between different forms of oppression. Crenshaw felt that the experiences of Black women were frequently overlooked in discussions of feminism and anti-racism, which was a primary reason for worry for her. Many more marginalized communities, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) and those with disabilities, have been included in the intersectionality theory’s expansion since its inception (Mena & Bolte, 2019). The concept has been utilized to understand marginalized communities’ unique challenges better and promote more welcoming social justice initiatives. Some people disagree with intersectionality theory because they believe it may be used to reduce participation in social justice movements and essentialize groups of people based on their identities. The notion has been criticized for being too broad and may be hard to put into practice. Using intersectionality theory is helpful for learning about the unique challenges faced by many marginalized communities.
Having meaningful conversations with Asian Americans about their history and ancestry requires an appreciation for the unique perspectives each individual brings to the table (Shih et al., 2019). Equally important is showing appreciation for the wide range of cultural practices that make up the Asian American community. Asian Americans have unique experiences and opinions that should be taken into account while discussing current events. Here are some approaches that may be used when having conversations with Asian Americans regarding issues of inequality: using an intersectional lens when discussing oppression, privilege, and power; supporting Asian Americans who may be victims of oppression, privilege, or both; working to create spaces where all voices can be heard and respected.
Discuss challenges to practice with Asian Americans.
Several challenges arise when discussing the application of power, privilege, and oppression in relation to Asian Americans. It’s a problem that Asian Americans are sometimes portrayed as a “model minority,” as if they are immune to discrimination (Keum et al., 2022). The diversity of the Asian-American population adds to the difficulty of finding a unified approach to these issues. Furthermore, linguistic problems may make it difficult to discuss these concerns with Asian Americans who may not speak English well. The fact that many Asian Americans are too self-conscious to talk about these issues adds to the problem. Some Asian Americans may believe they cannot voice their opinions on these issues since they are not “original” Americans. Further, it might be difficult to discuss these issues openly because of the stigma and guilt that is sometimes attached to them in Asian-American communities. Last but not least, it might be difficult to broach the topics of privilege, power, and oppression among Asian Americans who have been taught from a young age that such things do not exist in the United States. As many Asian Americans have been told, the United States is a “nation of opportunity” where anybody can make it if they put in the work. It may be difficult to discuss issues of power, privilege, and oppression when there is a perception that doing so is a sign of personal weakness or an admission that America is not as beautiful as it is frequently represented to be.
Discuss techniques and best practices applicable to Asian Americans
When confronted with privilege, injustice, and power issues, Asian Americans may resort to a few tried-and-true methods. Building solidarity and shared identity among Asian Americans is one approach (Shih et al., 2019). The creation of Asian American-centric groups, events, and spaces, as well as active participation in those existing ones, may contribute to this goal. This has the potential to facilitate the sharing of resources and the provision of aid among members of the community. Another strategy is to learn about the unique challenges faced by Asian Americans and share that knowledge with others. This may be accomplished via several means, such as reading relevant publications, attending relevant seminars and conferences, and conversing with relevant individuals. Learning the interplay between oppression, privilege, and power and how it manifests in the lives of Asian Americans is also essential. Last, addressing injustice, privilege, and power imbalances are crucial. Individual and collective forms of activity, such as speaking out against bigotry and advocating for social justice, may help bring this change. Whatever form the issue takes, it must be addressed head-on.
Conclusion
To sum up, looking at issues of power, privilege, and oppression among Asian Americans is a necessary step towards understanding and addressing the unique experiences of this diverse population. It is essential to recognize that Asian Americans are not a monolithic group and that different ethnicities within the Asian American community experience privilege and oppression differently. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, we can work towards a more equitable and just society for all Asian America.
References
Keum, B. T., Wong, M. J., & Salim-Eissa, R. (2022). Gendered racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and suicidal ideation among emerging adult Asian American women. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 002076402210895. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221089536
La Macchia, S. T., & Radke, H. R. M. (2020). Social Dominance Orientation and Social Dominance Theory. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 5028–5036. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_1267
Mena, E., & Bolte, G. (2019). Intersectionality-based quantitative health research and sex/gender sensitivity: a scoping review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1098-8
Shih, K. Y., Chang, T., & Chen, S. (2019). Impacts of the Model Minority Myth on Asian American Individuals and Families: Social Justice and Critical Race Feminist Perspectives. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12342
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