The Dark Side of the Model Minority Label

https://www.thegeorgetownreview.org/p/when-excellence-becomes-a-burden

Lucas Lee, a Korean American who attended Phillips Exeter Academy, committed suicide when he was rejected by every Ivy League university. Feel horrible for his family and friends, but sadly, he isn't the first (and won't be the last).

It's one of those things that people don't necessarily think about when Asians feel like they have to live up to the model minority standard. Seems like other races have it easier in that regard. Blacks and Latinos are regarded as "underdogs" academically, so when a Black or Latino gets into an Ivy League university, it's a cause for celebration. A story of triumph against adversity. An Asian person gets into an Ivy League university, nobody really even celebrates anymore. It's met with a "meh, he's Asian, OF COURSE he's supposed to go to an Ivy League university". People are kinda jaded when they hear about Asians getting into Ivies so they are not really impressed anymore in contrast to Blacks and Latinos.

It does more harm to the mental health of Asian American youth than we realize.