1. In “Assimilation” by Lisa Sun-Hee Park, she discusses the definition of the term “assimilation” of Asian Americans and its usage in the US. There are a lot of view of definition of assimilation. However, it is clear that assimilation is not a social phenomenon which happens naturally on the society. From the view point of assimilation into the US, Asian Americans are in a complicated position in the US. They seemingly succeed to assimilate into the US, but actually it is not true. Assimilation cannot make all race equally completely. Moreover, it creates racial inequality and stereotype of minorities. Assimilation into the US is not so simple.
2. As Park states, “In this way, assimilation actually reinforces established racial inequalities and imposes on even subsequent generations of Asian American born in the US a precarious defensive dilemma in which they must constantly prove their worth as “real” Americans. ” (17) The term “assimilation” lexicographic means to “take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully” (14). However, actually assimilation makes Asian Americans’ position complicated and create racial inequality.They cannot be American essentially by assimilation.
3.The important term of assimilation is “model minority myth”. “Asian Americans are models of assimilation, enjoying high educational achievement, good (white) neighborhood, and interracial marriages to whites.” (16) That is, they were the models for other minorities. This model minority of myth looks to be their success as minority in the US. However, actually this idea of Asian Americans as the model minority is not true. Moreover, this concept is still entrenched in the US. As Park states, “Asian Americans must be foreign in order to fit into the United States.” (17) That is, Asian Americans can not assimilate into the US essentially and be “real” Americans.
4.In the “Slaying the Dragon”, we can see that how Asian Americans were described in the Hollywood movies and TV programs in the US. Asian Americans were enforced to play the role of “Asian” which is ideal image for white people in the media. The image is exotic, mysterious, and obedient. The roles of Asians made by white people reflect the stereotype of Asians. Actually, it is not a role Asian Americans want to play as Asian, but it is a role that white people regard as ideal of Asians. Similarly, model minority myth of Asian American was created white people as a model of assimilation into the US for other minorities. After all, these myths have made Asian Americans “foreign” and actually reinforce racial inequalities.