18 MILLION RISING

“People of Asian descent become the model minority when they are depicted to do better than other racial minority groups, whereas they become the yellow peril when they are described to outdo White Americans. On one hand, Asian Americans as the yellow peril embody ‘‘foreignness’’ and ‘‘masculinity’’ that threaten U.S identity as a White, Christian nation; on the other hand, Asian Americans who make efforts to succeed silently and diligently— without demanding or protesting anything —symbolize ‘‘the model minority’’ and ‘‘docility’’ or ‘‘femininity’’ and confirm colorblind ideology. Considering Lee (1999) and Okihiro’s (1994) arguments, it is possible to think that the construction of the model minority stereotype is tied to creating a less threatening face of the yellow peril.”