Double consciousness was coined by civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois and refers to viewing one’s self through the lens of others. In some ways, the model minority myth is the lens that some Asian Americans view themselves through. This lens is problematic because it limits one’s opportunity to be his/her own self. Thus, it is important to resist this myth in order to have a self-created identity. Looking at my own personal experiences and the experiences of Asian American actor Steven Yeun can help illustrate ways to resist the model minority myth to some extent.
Steven Yeun is a Korean American who was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Michigan, making him 1.5 Asian American. In 2010, he landed the role of Glenn Rhee in the hit AMC television show, The Walking Dead. In fact, Yeun was a fan of The Walking Dead comic books before he even landed the role. Being only one of the two people in the show that have read the comics prior, he was thrilled to be a part of such a success. Yeun graduated from college with a degree in Pyschology, however he decided to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor soon after. Therefore, picking the unconventional route is his way of resisting the model minority myth, which most Asian American paren ts would consider impractical. For example, in 2014, Yeun revealed in an interview with Ellen Degeneres that “[since his] parents are Korean[,] … traditionally that first generation of Korean Americans aren’t too happy with the little curve ball that you throw them when you’re a kid so… ” (Yeun). Then, Ellen replied, “And now, they must be so proud of you” (Degeneres), which he followed up with: “Oh now, they just have so much advice and like you know they know everything about the industry” (Steven). This demonstrates that if Yeun did not decide to go with his gut he would not have known if his parents would have even been supportive of his choices. Perhaps his success on the show was a result of his parents letting their son go after what he wants. Even within the comics and show, Yeun’s character was not a doctor or lawyer before the apocalypse, but a pizza delivery boy. Thus, the creator of the comics did not make him a stereotyped victim to the model minority myth. Further, Glenn becomes one of the main characters and most reliable member of Rick Grimes’ group of survivors.
Steven Yeun is a Korean American who was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Michigan, making him 1.5 Asian American. In 2010, he landed the role of Glenn Rhee in the hit AMC television show, The Walking Dead. In fact, Yeun was a fan of The Walking Dead comic books before he even landed the role. Being only one of the two people in the show that have read the comics prior, he was thrilled to be a part of such a success. Yeun graduated from college with a degree in Pyschology, however he decided to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor soon after. Therefore, picking the unconventional route is his way of resisting the model minority myth, which most Asian American paren ts would consider impractical. For example, in 2014, Yeun revealed in an interview with Ellen Degeneres that “[since his] parents are Korean[,] … traditionally that first generation of Korean Americans aren’t too happy with the little curve ball that you throw them when you’re a kid so… ” (Yeun). Then, Ellen replied, “And now, they must be so proud of you” (Degeneres), which he followed up with: “Oh now, they just have so much advice and like you know they know everything about the industry” (Steven). This demonstrates that if Yeun did not decide to go with his gut he would not have known if his parents would have even been supportive of his choices. Perhaps his success on the show was a result of his parents letting their son go after what he wants. Even within the comics and show, Yeun’s character was not a doctor or lawyer before the apocalypse, but a pizza delivery boy. Thus, the creator of the comics did not make him a stereotyped victim to the model minority myth. Further, Glenn becomes one of the main characters and most reliable member of Rick Grimes’ group of survivors.
Similar to Yeun, I have not gone an Asian American “traditional” route. Sure, I am in college and am trying to pursue higher education, but I am not doing it to become a doctor or a lawyer. I decided to double major in Asian American Studies, which is one of the smallest departments at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Honestly, Asian American Studies helped me with creating myself. Being mixed race, exploring my own identity was difficult growing up. I was assumed to be foreign because of my last name, and never truly able to claim my white side. However, when I took my first Asian American Studies course at CSUN, I finally felt that I was important and that the issues and experiences of Asian Americans were worthy of focus. Eventually, taking Asian American Studies 355: Biracial and Multiracial Identity made me more aware of the experiences of mixed race people. I was even given the opportunity to do a research project with three other people, in which we interviewed people who identified as mixed race. I interviewed my mother, who is the daughter of a United States American solider and a Vietnamese woman. She has told me about her experiences about being mixed race in Vietnam and how it limited her chance to have a self-created identity because she began to see herself through the lens of the people who ridiculed her for being half of the enemy.
As a result, it is important to have a self-created identity to live one’s life through his/her own lens and not through others’. The self becomes blurred if it is influenced by others. Steven Yeun wanted to become an actor despite the possibility of disappointing his parents. In the end, his parents are proud of him and accepted his profession as an actor. Therefore, the risk that Yeun took led him to play a character in one of his favorite comic book series and made his parents proud in the process. Thus, choosing “the one less traveled by, / … has made all the difference” (Lines 19-20, Frost). For me, I chose a major that is not the first choice of many, but it is something that I am passionate about and no matter what, at least I am proud of my own self.
Thank you very much for reading!
Works Cited
Coco, Team. “Steven Yeun Has His Comic Books to Keep Him Warm.” Online video clip. YouTube.
YouTube, 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015
Show, The Ellen. “Steven Yeun on His Parents.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 6 Oct. 2014. Web.
11 Mar. 2015.
YouTube, 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015
Show, The Ellen. “Steven Yeun on His Parents.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 6 Oct. 2014. Web.
11 Mar. 2015.