Do you think immigrant Asian mentality is counterproductive as an Asian American?

Growing up, my immigrant parents have conditioned me to be super risk averse, whether if it’s encouraging me to go into a ”stable” career or discouraging me from talking back—in fear of being beaten up or threatened.

However, I feel like this does more harm than good for Asian Americans as a whole. I understand it’s b/c they’re immigrants coming from a collective society, but I don’t think it’s sustainable in the longrun when all they teach is to AVOID problems rather than CONFRONT problems. In the U.S. it is the opposite. You earn respect by standing up for yourself, stemming from the Civil Rights Movement to LGBTQ equality and most recently the Stop Asian Hate movement. It affects Asian Americans on the macro level when confronting issues, leadership promotion, and creativity.

If you want to be great or exceptional, you have to take risks. I think once we foster this, there will gradually be more diverse Asian America talent, celebrities, athletes, politicians, and LEADERS. (we are in a good direction rn)

This will at minimum give us more ammunition to confront the ”Bamboo ceiling” and racism.

That’s literally why top college admissions are HOLISTIC—it’s not only about the numbers. They want to identify the next great leader or talent—not some person who just wants to be a glamorized worker.

IMO we can take the good aspects of Asian culture (food, family oriented, language) and throw away the bad (copycat collectivism, risk aversion, hierarchy, sexism & etc.). Then cultivate American individualism and risk taking. Rant over. What do you guys think?