<Begin Segment 7>

HH: What is your reaction, your feelings regarding the expression "model minority"?

GI: Yes. I think the term "model minority," I think bothers my Chinese American friends more than it does me. We have a very large Chinese American population in Lehigh Valley. In fact, I'm a member of the Organization of Chinese Americans, and I attend their meetings, and that term, "model American," does bother them quite a bit. Because as you know, there are many people of Asian ancestry that are not as well off as a lot of the white Americans perceive Asian Americans to be.

HH: So they're saying that it doesn't really fairly describe Asians, that there are many others who don't fit the "model minority," that kind of...

GI: Exactly, yes.

HH: You probably know that there are many Asians who are flattered even for that label.

GI: I don't know of... well, yes, I do know a few that that take pride in the accomplishments of Asian Americans in the schools. We have a very good record of Asian Americans making the Merit Scholar list in our area, yes. Some of the Asian community leaders do take pride in that, and I guess they don't have too much objection to that term. But many of my thinking Asian friends don't particularly care for being described as a "model minority."

HH: Can you point to specific or particular values that you have practices, certain kinds of ways you appreciate art, food, dress, maybe even demeanor, to your Asian roots?

GI: Oh, I think the Confucian philosophy has a great influence on the activities of not only Nikkeis but people from Korea, people from China, Taiwan. Work ethics and respect for elders, family unity, those are our values that I don't credit only Nikkei, but all those cultures that are influenced by the Confucian philosophy. I'm a great believer in that.

HH: That's all the questions I have. Thank you very much, it was wonderful.

GI: Thank you.

<End Segment 7> - Copyright © 1994 JACL Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved.