Studying in the United States is a thankless job for Asians

As New York City releases its latest educational data, Asian American parents are unsurprised to find that Asian students continue to excel, consistently outperforming their peers across all grades and subjects. This remarkable achievement has become a norm over the decades. However, it is essential to understand that such success is not merely a result of innate abilities but rather stems from dedicated effort. It’s the image of Asian students diligently working through practice problems in tutoring centers, coupled with parents’ unwavering reminders that academics come first and leisure second.

The emphasis on education is deeply ingrained in Asian culture. For instance, at a high school located on 84th Street in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, predominantly attended by Hispanic and Black students, the attendance rate hovers around 50%. Some graduates from this school have never even heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have no plans to pursue higher education. In stark contrast, Asian students demonstrate unwavering commitment, achieving attendance rates exceeding 90% in every grade. Data indicates a direct correlation between attendance and academic performance. If hard work yields results, then the significant representation of Asian students in top universities is well-earned.

Before 2023, most American universities implemented Affirmative Action policies aimed at ensuring educational equity for underrepresented groups, attempting to break down class barriers and enhance campus diversity. However, these policies have led to situations where Asian students, regardless of their high academic achievements, often find themselves overlooked when competing with Black and Hispanic candidates for admission spots. This has left many Asian students feeling that their substantial efforts have been undermined.

The mainstream narrative surrounding the high educational attainment of Asian Americans often leads to the assumption that they no longer belong to marginalized groups. In reality, the poverty rate among Asians stands at approximately 10%. Multiple studies have confirmed the existence of an invisible ceiling for Asians in the workplace. Jeannie Suk, a Harvard Law School professor, highlighted in a New Yorker article that what is crucial for Asian Americans is to recognize that, despite their educational accomplishments, they are still underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles in society, particularly within government, judicial systems, and the media. While academic credentials serve as a stepping stone, gaining a more substantial voice in the public sector requires concerted efforts to address this “voiceless” status.