Analyzing Anti‐Asian Prejudice From a Racial Identity and Color‐Blind Perspective

A primary tenet of the model minority stereotype is that Asian Americans are exempt from the perils of poverty, educational underachievement, poor mental health, and racial discrimination (S. Lee, 1996; Rosenbloom & Way, 2004; Talbot, 1999). Asian Americans' business savvy, excellence in math and the physical sciences, diligent work ethic, and their success are highlighted in the stereotype, whereas other minority groups still seem to struggle in comparison (Gloria & He, 2003; Rosenbloom & Way, 2004). In short, Asian Americans are depicted as having attained parity with Whites, a feat that other racial groups have not accomplished. Additionally, the model minority myth is often used to legitimize the denigration and negative stereotyping of other racial minorities as well as to gloss over the racial experiences of Asians (S. Lee, 1996; Ponterotto, 1991; Rosenbloom & Way, 2004; Wong & Haglin, 2006). The stereotype of Asian Americans as a role model for other racial minorities is frequently used as evidence that Asian Americans are immune to the racism directed at them, unlike other groups (S. Lee, 1996; Rosenbloom & Way, 2004; Takaki, 1998). In addition, this pervasive perception of Asian Americans as the model minority contrasts them with other racial minority groups, thereby alluding to the complexities of race relations. That is, race relations are not just between people of color groups and Whites but also between the various people of color groups (Cowan, 2005; Mack et al., 1997). Such a reality underscores the complex social problem of racial discrimination and the context in which it is expressed, and challenges the perception of racial discrimination as occurring primarily between socially dominant (i.e., Whites) and nondominant groups (e.g., African Americans, Asian Americans). The model minority myth, consequently, glosses over the real social, economic, and psychological problems experienced by Asian Americans and, most important, diverts attention away from the racism and discrimination that affect their lives (R. M. Lee, 2003). A recent study of anti-Asian prejudice emphasized two underlying dimensions: perceived competence and sociability (Lin, Kwan, Cheung, & Fiske, 2005). These dimensions were predicated on the Stereotype Content Model, which posits that out-groups are perceived to be either warm but incompetent or highly competent but unsociable (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick, & Xu, 2002). Consistent with the model minority myth, Asian Americans are often placed in the latter category, emphasizing high levels of economic and educational competence. That is, competence, a characteristic that would otherwise be construed positively when applied to Whites, is interpreted as threatening to the status quo and thus a negative characteristic (Lin et al., 2005). Asian Americans are therefore resented and envied on this dimension (unfairly competent) while also being perceived as unsociable (e.g., Delucchi & Do, 1996). * Color-Blind Racial Attitudes An underlying process that may foster belief in the model minority myth is a color-blind racial ideology. Inherent in color blindness is the idea that race and racism do not matter and furthermore do not play important roles in the current social and economic climate (Bonilla-Silva, 2003; Neville, Coleman, Falconer, & Holmes, 2005; Neville, Worthington, & Spanierman, 2001). In 2004, 22% of incoming University of California-Los Angeles freshmen reported that racial discrimination is no longer a problem in America, and the number of freshmen who embrace this color-blind ideology has increased over the last 3 years (Sax et al., 2004). Individuals who hold color-blind racial attitudes are more likely to deny that racial issues matter and have little meaning in their lives (Burkard & Knox, 2004). Those who operate from a color-blind framework do not necessarily embrace a belief in racial superiority or inferiority, but rather adopt a distorted and inaccurate view of racial groups and race relations that is focused on meritocracy (Bonilla-Silva, 2003; Neville et al. …