In the wake of the Harvard admissions lawsuit, many Asian-Americans are questioning their status in society. Asian applicants have been characterized as “quiet” and “studious” and have scored disproportionately lower on the personality test than white, Hispanic, and black applicants. Asians seem to suffer from affirmative action, a policy initially implemented to help minorities, prompting political discourse within the community.
The Harvard lawsuit is much larger than it seems; it defines the struggles of the Asian-American experience. In the midst of such a racially-divided period, many Asians feel isolated, stereotyped, and ultimately disenfranchised. Racial identities seem to be evolving, and the Asian experience twenty years ago seems to be quite different from its current reality. This ever-changing racial identity is often overlooked; thus, we’ve decided to interview a handful of students to begin exploring the Asian experience in Mountain Lakes.
Interview With Melody Fu (’19)
Do you think your race has affected how people perceive or treat you in ML?
I think in perception but definitely not treatment. It’s in millennial culture to be politically correct.
Do you think your accomplishments are often overlooked due to your race?
I don’t think they are overlooked, but there is an expectation for Asians to be intelligent. Eventually, once you prove yourself there, people start having expectations for you to keep it up.
Do you think people believe you to be interchangeable with other Asians?
Not really. Well, maybe people who don’t know us. On a surface level maybe; however, if you actually know us, then you will know our different personalities. However, people who don’t know me sometimes refer to me as other Asian students in the grade.
Do you have any specific experiences which you would like to mention?
I like some aspects of being Asian; I can speak Chinese with my Chinese friends.
What other aspects of being Asian do you enjoy or what aspects do you dislike?
The fact is that I am proud of my race, so there is nothing I dislike about my race, so if people are uncomfortable with their race in such a non-diverse town, it’s better to accept that in high school since it’s something you can never change. Regardless of how people treat you, it doesn’t matter. Even if you do live in a bubble, the real world does have diversity. Being in such a white-washed town, you have to assimilate yourself with the people around you.
Do you think being Asian in ML is an isolating experience?
I’ve always have Asian friends, so I cannot relate. To be completely honest, I’ve stopped caring. When you care all the time about what other people think of you, it just consumes too much energy. I think there are much worse places to be, but there are also better places to be.
Would your prefer living in another area with more diversity?
Yes, that’s why I look forward to college. It offers a lot of diversity: socioeconomic, racial, thought.
Interview With David Zheng (’19)
Do you think your experience in Mountain Lakes has been a positive one? Has it changed?
It’s been the same since 6th grade. I didn’t notice anything; I came here from Montville and did not notice a change.
Do you think your race has affected how people perceive or treat you in ML?
No, not all. Besides the occasional Asian joke, nothing of malice.
Do you think your accomplishments are often overlooked due to your race?
I don’t care what other people think of me. I haven’t noticed because I don’t care.
Are their any misperceptions about race in Mountain Lakes?
There is some diversity in Mountain Lakes.
Do you think being Asian in ML is an isolating experience?
Only if you search for discrimination. It’s only isolating if you want to make it. Political correctness may ruin the experience for some.
Interview with Maimoonah Shafqat (’20)
Do you think your experience in Mountain Lakes has been a positive one?
It became more positive over time. The more you get into high school you get stressed. In middle school, fitting in was hard. My race played a role in fitting in, lumped in with the brown people (South Asian). I feel like this may be positive, I was assumed to be smart and many assumed I had to be friends with the brown people. People judged before anyone else could meet me.
Do you think your race has affected how people perceive or treat you in ML?
Yeah. I think–stereotypes. All Asians are smart, etc. People break it down to your race.
Do you think your accomplishments are often overlooked due to your race?
Yeah, not saying that it’s necessarily a bad thing. Lots of my friends are Asian, we consider ourselves intelligent, however, many people assume it’s because of our race. We’re viewed more for our race than our grades and accomplishments.
Do you have any specific experiences which you would like to mention?
My religion is a big part of my experience. Nothing academically. There have been incidents in which some very close friends of mine have made the point that Asian students receive special treatment because of their race or that teachers give them special opportunities. I think that it is the opposite of that. I think its my peers who have done that. It’s been incredibly hurtful when people assume that my hard work is just a part of my culture/race. It’s part of me.
Are there any aspects of being Asian in Mountain Lakes that you enjoy?
Although there is a small Asian community, I think they are super friendly and understanding and can relate to my problems. Even my non-Asian friends can agree and understand my experience and where I’m coming from.
Should there be more communication between non-Asians and Asians?
I’ve realized throughout my time in ML specifically, a lot of people do not say it out loud, but they do have this side of them that thinks certain races are better at certain things or are given more opportunities. I really think we need to defeat this stereotype and the only way it can be done is through communicating our experiences.
Do you think being Asian in ML is an isolating experience?
Yes. I know I mentioned that there is an Asian community; however, it’s really small and ML is overwhelmingly white, and have had mostly similar experiences growing up. It’s really difficult sometimes because I feel left out trying to relate to their experiences and they sometimes cannot relate to mine.
Final Thoughts:
Evidently, every Asian person in Mountain Lakes will not have the same experiences. Yet, it cannot be denied that growing up in a town with a lack of diversity affects people, no matter how minute the effect may be. As news of the Harvard discrimination case spreads and its impact is eventually felt, it is worthwhile to consider the perceptions of Asians living in communities like Mountain Lakes. The goal is to start an honest, open, and very necessary discussion about the model minority myth and how it effects Asians in America.
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