At the intersection of the model minority myth and antiblackness: From Asian American triangulation to recommendations for solidarity.

Abstract

Asian Americans are situated in a triangulated role in a black-white racial hierarchy designed to legitimize white supremacy (Kim, 1999). However, little is known about the lived experiences of Asian American triangulation and even less so in the context of anti-Asian racism. The present study was initially designed to examine anti-Asian racism at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in a sociopolitical climate described as a "racial reckoning," our study evolved to capture the process of racial triangulation and the interplay of anti-Asian racism and antiblackness. Based on the online responses of 201 Asian Americans (from over 32 U.S. states), four themes emerged to showcase the ways in which Asian Americans suffered from and recapitulated racial oppression: (a) anti-Asian racism is overlooked in the black-white racial discourse, (b) anti-Asian racism is not taken seriously, (c) anti-Asian racism is also perpetrated by people of color (POC), and (d) anti-Asian racism is deprioritized in the presence of anti-Black racism. Regarding participant recommendations to combat anti-Asian racism, our second research question focused on areas of convergence with dismantling anti-Black racism. Two key themes emerged: (a) foster Asian American pan-ethnic solidarity and (b) build and strengthen cross-racial coalitions (POC solidarity and White allyship). Altogether, our study descriptively captured the process of racial triangulation to showcase the manifestation and recapitulation of anti-Asian racism and antiblackness. While Asian Americans suffered as victims and perpetrators of racial oppression, they also recognized the need to dismantle white supremacy with racial solidarity, coalition-building, and advocacy. Public Significance StatementThis study examined the racial triangulation of Asian Americans to identify the interplay between anti-Asian racism and antiblackness during the early months of COVID-19. Our findings showed that Asian Americans simultaneously perpetrated and suffered from racial triangulation and that they were victims and perpetrators of anti-Asian racism and antiblackness. Our findings conclude with participant recommendations for dismantling white supremacy and highlight the need for racial solidarity, coalition-building, and advocacy.

Ethnic-Racial Socialization Through the Lens of German Young Adults of Turkish, Kurdish, East and Southeast Asian Heritage

“…Our results displayed similarities with studies in the U.S. with Asian-American parents suggesting minimization of race and racism as a common ERS content (Atkin & Yoo, 2021). Studies argue that minimization as a prevalent socialization strategy among Asian families might result from internalized racism (Kim et al, 2023) due to general invalidation of racism experiences of Asians by the society (Wang & Santos, 2023).…”

‘We are not the virus’–Experiences of racism among East & Southeast Asian heritage young people in London during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The fact that many perpetrators of racism in our data were non-White young people challenges the thesis that large, multi-ethnic cities such London are places in which cultures and ethnicities mix ‘with a minimum of rancor’ [ 47 ]. It also highlights the need for approaches to anti-racism which foster solidarity between minoritised groups and addresses multiple forms of racism simultaneously [ 51 ].…”

COVID-19-Related Racial Discrimination during Lockdown and Its Impact on Asian American Women

“…Despite these limitations, the findings of this study provide implications for programs and policies to support AA women. For example, allyship is one of the impactful self-advocacies that can create a safe space for AA women individuals to share concerns and support each other, thereby building solidarity [ 38 ] as our participants desired. Advocacy for AA women can be implemented at a broader level, such as in educational settings, by providing culturally responsive curricula at institutions and training to educators and students.…”

“…Such initiatives can promote understanding and respect among different racial groups, ultimately reducing anti-Asian violence against AAs. The legal requirement in public high schools to include ethnic studies, such as African American history and cultures of local Indigenous communities, in more than a dozen states (e.g., California, Illinois, New York, Florida) is one example highlighting the importance of educational advocacy [ 38 , 39 ]. Integrating these forms of advocacy into systematic approaches can contribute to dismantling the underlying structures of discrimination that perpetuate violence against AA women and promote healthy racial identity and well-being of AA women.…”