Model Minority: Uniquely American

What gave Asians the nickname, "the invisible minorities?"  Hi, I'm Nidhi Shastri, and in this episode, I dig into how the Asian demographic got this name and the factors within the model minority myth that erase us in the larger American narrative. Come join me in exploring how factors such as the black and white binary, the U.S. Census, and immigration patterns have led to us being named, the Invisibles. As always, shukriya for listening, and I'm glad to have you here! 

All music is from the CC creative commons, census clips from CSPAN licensed to the public, and Dr. Lauretta Ross's talk is from the non-profit Western States Center's public recording. Model Minority: Uniquely American is written, produced, and hosted by Nidhi Shastri. Cover art is: "Invisible Man Sculpture, Harlem, NY" by Tony Fischer Photography -- licensed under CC BY 2.0

Welcome to Model Minority: Uniquely American! I'm your host, Nidhi Shastri, thanks for being here. In today's episode, we're exploring what exactly it means to be a "model minority," and the baggage that comes with it. All music is from the CC creative commons, and the theme song Cafe Connection is by MorganTj.

If you enjoyed this episode, PLEASE share it with others! Shukriya, and stay tuned for more coming soon. Want to help make it happen? My Patreon is: https://www.patreon.com/modelminority 

My name is Nidhi Shastri, and I’ve created a podcast to discuss what being a Model Minority in America really looks like, the good, the bad, and the invisible.  In an effort to break down these biases and shake up our views, I'm discussing poverty, race, education, sexuality, and more in the Asian, African, and Middle Eastern diasporas. Hiding who we are and displaying who we are supposed to be, has often been a survival tactic for model minorities in America. And it's not just about our actions. Many of us feel the need to conform and stand on this painfully constricting pedestal. I’m excited to bring my work to you all. The discussion does not end when my episodes do, so feel free to ask questions and share comments right here through our page.  As always, shukria, and thank you for being here. I’m glad to have you. And welcome to Model Minority… Uniquely American.