Model Minority Myth is based on stereotyping. It perpetuates a narrative that Asians are intelligent, law-abiding and productive immigrants. Following the Second World War, South Asians were moved to the UK on the basis of being skilled workers. There is a perception that Asians are more likely to achieve success. This drives a wedge between brown and black communities.
Casteism - Caste basically ranks a society based on the family they are born into. Class, occupation and social dignity are dependent on their caste. Higher castes are better educated and have better jobs whereas lower castes do not have the same opportunity and suffer from inequality. This logic is extended to the black community and thus black people are seen as lower.
Colourism - putting down individuals with darker skin tones and promoting Eurocentric standards of beauty within our community. When the British colonised south asian countries, they pushed the ideology that white or fair skin equates to superiority. In South Asia, we can see this with brands such as ‘Fair and Lovely’ who have been promoting skin lightening since 1975. Skin tone should not define one’s beauty or value.
Further reading: https://theconversation.com/dove-real-beauty-and-the-racist-history-of-skin-whitening-85446
Cultural appropriation - adopting what you consider to be trendy from a culture/group, whilst the group faces consequences & discrimination for expressing themselves in the same manor. What we chose to adopt and what we choose to ignore has in turn contributed to the abuse of the black identity for our own benefit. Culture appropriation allows privileged people to benefit from oppressed communities. It shows that you don't have to like a person or respect their identity when taking something from them.
Racial slurs (the N word) - We are forcing black peers to relive years of oppression and pain when we use a word that was created to put them down. If you understand the history then you will understand that it is inappropriate.
(this post has links to everything that can help educate yourself)
Stereotyping - this is a belief or mistaken idea based on what you see as opposed to what you know ie crossing the road when you see a group of black people and assuming the worst. This is enforced by the media but know your facts. Do your research.
How to be an ally
- Recognise the flaws in our community and call them out when you hear them.
- Support and accept interracial relationships and friendships in our community.
- Understanding that South Asians have benefitted from anti-blackness.
- Talk about it off social media - connect family members with these resources so that there is a mutual understanding of what is right.
- Help them understand the prejudice they may have, have been taught to them in a time where we were less respectful of other cultures.
- Share real life incidents that occur in this day and age. Ask them how they would feel if they were in these shoes.
- Accepting that black people made it possible for us to be coloured in this country.
The Black Lives Matter movement does not take away from oppressed communities or racism inflicted towards other ethnic minorities or religious groups. Yes, the colonisation of brown communities has parallels to that of the black community however in this instance, it costs the lives of the black community. It does not mean that our struggles are meaningless or that our lives do not matter. It means our support is needed. It is our responsibility to stand up and ally with those who are also being oppressed because we know how it feels. Offer your hand to someone who needs it right now. You won't lose anything by fighting this battle so why sit out?
Thank you for reading :)
P.S. here are some accounts to follow
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