Stereotypes

In response to “Motivated to Learn,” Platform, Commentary, Aug. 24:

As an Asian-American student, I resent the generalization that “the majority of Asian students are much more competitive than the average student.” Who is the “average student” in America? And why does this category not include Asian-American students? By classifying Asian-American students as being somehow different, more motivated or competitive, than the average American student, Tram Nguyen falls into the trap of defending the myth that Asian-Americans are a model minority and therefore perpetuates the notion that Asians have a unique “drive” that “average” Americans lack.

If individuals could only learn to judge others on an equal, non-racial scale, to consider the case of each individual before arriving at a conclusion, we would all fare better.

NATASHA SONG, Woodland Hills