Unpacking identity: The Model Minority Myth with Nina Ho

Love Intently Podcast with Sophie Kwok

Nina Ho was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and landed in Houston, TX when she was five years old. Looking back, she can remember from a very young age trying to reject her own Asian identity in order to “fit in,” and being clumped into the “model minority” Asian stereotype.
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The recent Black Lives Matter movement has brought up a moment for many Asian Americans to pause and see how white supremacy has negatively impacted them in their lives. What is the model minority myth, and why is it problematic? Where did this stereotype come from and why is it so harmful for Asian Americans today, especially when it comes to mental health and access to resources?
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In this episode of Love Intently, we create space to answer these questions and dissect how white supremacy and colorism impacts Asian Americans. We also discuss the anti-blackness issue in the Asian American community, and much more. Sophie and Nina both share their personal stories and struggles growing up as first-generation Asian Americans and we learn about Nina’s event series, “Missfits Fest”, which celebrates Asian American women in entrepreneurship and the arts.
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For full show notes: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast
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Connect with Nina Ho
https://www.instagram.com/ninaqho/
https://twitter.com/NinaQHo
https://www.instagram.com/missfitsfest
ninaqho.com
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Connect with Love Intently
https://loveintently.com
Instagram: @love.intently
Instagram: @sophkwok