Solving the Mystery of the Model Minority: The Journey of Asian Americans in America introduces students to current debates surrounding the concept of model minority and its relation to the greater Asian American experience. The book defines the term model minority, examines who is against it, who is for it, and why they feel the way they do, all of which brings to light profound disagreements regarding Asian American identity, as well as the meaning and fate of American democracy. The text uses two comparative perspectives to examine Asian American experiences and, in doing so, explores not only the similarities and differences between Asian Americans and other racial groups, but also the similarities and differences within Asian American ethnic groups. The second edition not only updates the introductory chapters, but also features six new chapters on the topics of Asian American women leaders and barriers to entry in leadership; the new journey of Asian Americans in sports; transnational adoption of Asians; Asian Americans and anti-affirmative action attitudes; anti-Asian American hate crimes; and Asian American political participation in the 21st century. Timely and interdisciplinary in subject matter, Solving the Mystery of the Model Minority is well suited for ethnic studies, political science, sociology, cultural studies, and Asian studies courses.
Baodong Liu, Ph.D. is a professor of political science and ethnic studies at The University of Utah. He has published eight scholarly books, including Political Volatility in the United States: How Racial and Religious Group Win and Lose; Social Research: Integrating Mathematical Foundations and Modern Statistical Computing; The Election of Barack Obama: How He Won; and Race Rules: Electoral Politics in New Orleans, 1965-2006. Dr. Liu's main research fields include racial politics, political behavior, voting and elections, and research methods.
"In this excellent book, Baodong Liu and his contributors examine the complex meaning of the 'model minority' as it relates to Asian Americans. The chapters thoroughly explore the emergence of this stereotype and its implications in American society today. Throughout the book, the scholars help readers understand the diversity within the Asian American community and how the experiences of Asian Americans compares to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. The edited volume provides a timely exploration of topics such as the implications of US-China relations on Asian Americans, the political participation of Asian Americans, affirmative action, the implications of interracial relationships, the relevance of adoption policies, and consideration of gender as it relates to this diverse demographic group. This second edition addresses contemporary topics such as anti-Asian hate crimes, the targeting of Asian Americans during the COVID pandemic, and the general experience of Asian Americans throughout the Trump presidency. This book is a must-read for those interested in understanding the complexity of life in America for Asian Americans today." Stefanie Chambers, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Political Science, Trinity College Author of Somalis in the Twin Cities and Columbus: Immigrant Incorporation in New Destinations Producer of the feature documentary film Dreaming in Somali
