Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

St. John's Law Review

Keywords

race, inequality, Asian Americans, STEM

Abstract

This Article will proceed in five parts. First, an important caveat. When the Article refers to Asian Americans, it refers to all Asian American subgroups except for South Asian Americans, because South Asian Americans are not perceived to be deferential in the same way as other Asian American subgroups. Consequently, their experience with leadership is unique among Asian Americans, and much of the analysis in this Article does not apply to them.

With that caveat, Part I will discuss the invisibility of Asian Americans generally, but particularly in leadership positions. Part II will discuss the concept of social status bias and inequality. It will explain that inequality consists of three, independent dimensions— status, economic, and political inequalities. As independent elements, a social group may achieve economic equality yet still experience social status inequality, as is the case with Asian Americans.

Part III will argue that the low racial status of Asian Americans is due to the presumption of their general incompetence. It will argue that Asian Americans are perceived to be categorically inept in virtually all domains except the STEM fields, and even in STEM, Asian Americans are perceived to have just limited, technical skills. Why? Because Asian Americans are perceived to be intellectually deficient in critical and creative thinking.

Part IV will explain that the presumption of general incompetence rooted in intellectual deficiency is based on the perception that the racial character of Asian Americans is fundamentally deferential by nature. Specifically, Asian Americans are perceived to be compliant, conformist, passive, and humble, deferential traits that make Asian Americans seem like a low status, subservient class of people.

Part V will explain how the low racial status of perceived deferential Asian Americans operates to exclude them from leadership positions. In the professional context, the deferential Asian American is perceived to be a technician by nature. Technicians are not the high status genius scientists, but the low status, dependable, but intellectually limited, lab assistant. Technicians are servants to their scientist masters. Perceived as subservient technicians whose sole duty is to assist but not lead intellectual or scientific endeavors, Asian Americans are perceived to be unequivocally unqualified for leadership. And just as technicians are invisible in the narrative of scientific inquiry because of their subservient identity, so too are Asian Americans in the American narrative of race.

The Article will conclude by briefly discussing steps that should be taken to promote equal racial status and leadership for Asian Americans.

Volume

99

Issue

1

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