"Tiger Mom" Or "Tiger Racist"?: How Amy Chua's New Book Shows Her Ignorance, Superiority Complex

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 "Tiger Mom", Amy Chua, is back with a new book, which many, including myself, are calling out for its racist undertones. Well, some would say the material in her book is simply a dissection of ethnic groups and what makes them successful and unsuccessful, but, to me, I say it's racist. In the book, Chua states that their are certain groups (mostly ethnic groups but she throws Mormons in their as well) that are superior to other because of traits that they have. While she tries to sugarcoat it by saying that we all can be like these people if we practice the traits that make them successful, the simple fact of the matter is that putting different races in the "better than" category makes her seem like a racist. Oh, and the fact that she used the  word "superior" doesn't due much to help her cause either.
    While she may think her point is valid, the simple fact of the matter is that while she may look at what makes the groups she names as "superior" better than others, she neglects to point out that their are also historical and cultural aspects that make other groups have to work harder to achieve success in our country.  For instance, studies have shown that African Americans have to work harder to achieve success in this country due to the fact that the affects of racism still linger in this the U.S. This affects everything from their chances at good educations and jobs, and, in the end, it affects their way of life.
    The same goes for Asians from poorer countries like Cambodia and Vietnam. While Chua points out that Chinese families are one of the "superior" groups, she neglects to discuss that this is due to the fact that the Chinese economy was one of the better economies in Asia. Meanwhile, immigrants who came here from Vietnam and Cambodia were fleeing wars that tore their countries' infrastructures apart, and they had to start from square one.This greatly impacted the way that they were viewed in America. Many didn't speak English, and therefore their job choices were limited. Meanwhile, their Chinese counterparts were getting more job opportunities because of the fact that they had a better understanding of English than their immigrant counterparts, and they had more of a financial footing to come to America. Chua never mentions this though, and, to me, it shows that she is determined to get the point across that she's superior even if it means only telling half truths.
     I say all this to say that while I completely disagree with Chua's "superior" thinking, I do have to say that the message that that we all should work harder to achieve our dreams is one that I agree with completely. I just fear for those kids out there who may be working towards their dream who get discouraged by the words of Amy Chua. After all, when one points out one group as superior, they are calling everyone else inferior. Those kids out there who Chua referred to as inferior may be facing hurdles and challenges that Chua may have never dreamed of, and her words will do nothing but hurt, not help, these children. So, to those kids out there, I say you are not inferior, and that, in spite of the challenges your face, you can go anywhere you want to go and be anything you want to be.  Oh, and in the meantime, pay no attention to Amy Chua.