Page 177 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Racial Microaggressions and Asian Americans 151

may not readily disclose their true thoughts and feelings, and may
engage in constant hypervigilance to discern the motives of others. In
addition to depletion of energy, extreme forms of cultural mistrust may
result in the inability to establish authentic cross - cultural relationships.

RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS AND
ASIAN AMERICANS

The Asian American population constitutes approximately 4% of the popula-
tion of the United States, but they do not represent a monolithic group (Sue &
Sue, 2008). Between - group differences are great, as over 40 distinct subgroups
differ in language, religion, and values (Sandhu, 1997). These include larger
Asian groups (Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Asian Indians, and Japanese), refu-
gees and immigrants from Southeast Asia (Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians,

and Hmongs), and Pacific Islanders (Hawaiians, Guamanians, and Samoans).

Despite this diversity, White Americans continue to have a difficult time distin-
guishing between Asian American groups and often respond as if no difference
exists (Sue & Sue, 2008). As a result, there are common racial assumptions and
beliefs in the White Western worldview of nearly all Asian Americans. Two
are especially powerful in the manifestation of racial microaggressions toward
Asian Americans: (1) negative stereotypes of Asian Americans as foreigners
and (2) positive stereotypes of them as a successful minority group.
First, the persecution of Wen Ho Lee (2001) is an example of how the major-
ity of citizens in the United States perceive Asian Americans; they are aliens
in their own country, not to be trusted, and potentially disloyal. Many racial
microaggressions directed at Asian Americans reflect this worldview (Sue,

Bucceri, et al., 2007). For example, complimenting an Asian American for
speaking English well when they were born and raised in the United States
communicates a worldview that only Whites are true “ Americans ” (DeVos &
Banaji, 2005).
Second, an equally strong but somewhat opposite belief about Asians in
America is that they are a highly successful minority who has “ made it ” in soci-
ety (Sue & Sue, 2008). Often referred to as a “ model minority, ” Asian American/
Pacific Islanders are often portrayed in popular press headlines as, “ Asian

Americans: The Model Minority ” or “ Asian Americans: Outwhiting Whites. ”
Statistics give credence to this notion: When compared to their White counter-
parts, Asian Americans have higher educational attainment, higher median
income, and lower offi cial rates of divorce, delinquency, and mental disorders

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