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Do Asians Have to Be Intelligent to Be Worthy?
(Spoiler alert: The answer is no)
If you look at any TV show or movie with Asian representation, it is likely that the Asian character is intelligent and hard-working. They are the “model minority.” Some popular examples are Big Bang Theory, Crazy Rich Asians, Never Have I Ever—the list continues on.
Asians in these shows are smart and work hard to achieve their success, usually in a STEM (science, tech, engineering, or math) profession. They are born smart and crazy about getting good grades to the point that they don’t pay any attention to friendships or relationships. In many ways, they are uptight and no fun.
On the surface level, this looks good. Surely, depicting Asians as intelligent people is a positive thing, right? Well, the answer is more complicated.
The stereotype that Asians are intelligent can be reductive and even have a negative impact. These stereotypes reduce Asians to caricatures. It diminishes the struggles of Asians. Most Asian immigrants have had to work really hard simply to survive, and it takes a huge toll on their mental health. Popular culture loves to portray how successful and intelligent Asians are but rarely the struggle it takes to reach that success.
