Yes, I Am Helping “Model Minorities”: A Narrative of a Bicultural and Bilingual Asian Social Worker

Authors

  • Isabel Sangeun Lee Bryn Mawr College

Keywords:

model minority, Asian Critical Race Theory, COVID-19–related racism, biculturality, bilingualism, Asian social workers

Abstract

The “model minority” perception creates barriers for Asians in seeking health and social services in the context of their racial positioning and racial realities in the United States. As a bicultural and bilingual Asian social worker, I see the value of Asian Critical Race Theory (Chang, 1993) and the need to apply this theoretical framework in delivering health and social services to Asian populations facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Critical Race Theory raises awareness on the “model minority” myth and how it is another form of racism against Asian Americans. This narrative is about Asian clients who I had worked with in the field, who I found were burdened by the “model minority” myth.

Author Biography

Isabel Sangeun Lee, Bryn Mawr College

Isabel Sangeun Lee, PhD, LSW, CCM (she/her/hers) is Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA (484-904-2319, slee22@brynmawr.edu).

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Published

2024-07-15

How to Cite

Lee, I. S. (2024). Yes, I Am Helping “Model Minorities”: A Narrative of a Bicultural and Bilingual Asian Social Worker. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 30(3), 26–32. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2069

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