I raise this concern because Asians have often been touted as the Model Minority - images of hard work, education, drive, and moral discipline, are lifted up and celebrated, not only to mark Asian achievement, but, I think, to humiliate other minorities.
One result of this elevation, at least in Orange County, has been a hard turn to the right in Asian politics - some of it driven by the memories of the Vietnamese who shudder at the mention of anything "communist," and some driven by the love of money and the self-righteousness induced by achievement and wealth, often believing, as did many a Jew in pre-ww2 Germany, that "assimilation" and "being a good German" would spare them. But it didn't. And now around the country, Asians are facing a White Supremacy threat of real proportions.
What this domestic terrorism says, however, is this: "You're not a part of us, and you never will be. No matter your zip code, your money, your achievement, your hard work, you're not Amerikkkan, and you don't belong here. And we don't like you."
What will this do to politics? Will it occasion a shift to the left? To something more in solidarity with other minorities? With a recognition that hard work and success is what rankles white supremacists who resent non-whites getting a share of the pie.
I'm on dangerous ground, I realize, so please forgive any inaccuracies or missteps. But at the same time, I'd appreciate some commentary here, and especially from our Asian members.
This much I know: terrorism against Asian-Americans is on a precipitous rise.
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