Ellen Wu talks at Vassar Nov. 13

At Vassar College on Thursday, Nov. 13, historian Ellen Wu will discuss the invention of Asians as a “model minority” — distinct from the white majority but lauded as well-assimilated, upwardly mobile and exemplars of traditional family values — in the mid-20th century. Scheduled for 5:30 p.m., in Room 203 of Taylor Hall, the event is free and open to the public.

Wu’s presentation, drawn from her recent book, The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority, is sponsored by the History Department’s C. Mildred Thompson Fund and co-sponsored by the Programs in Asian Studies and American Studies. In the talk, “How Asians Became America’s ‘Model Minority,’” Wu traces changes from the era of the “yellow peril” after World War II and shows that liberals argued for the acceptance of these immigrant communities into the national fold, charging that the failure of America to live in accordance with its democratic ideals endangered the country’s aspirations to world leadership.

Vassar College strives to make its events and facilities accessible to all. Individuals with disabilities requiring special accommodations must contact the Office of Campus Activities at least 48 hours in advance, Mondays-Fridays, at 845-437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space/and or assistance may not be available. For detailed information about accessibility to specific campus facilities, search for “campus accessibility information” on the Vassar homepage (vassar.edu). Directions to the Vassar campus, located at 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie, are available at vassar.edu.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Articles attributed to "staff" are written by the editor or a senior editor. This is typically because they are brief items based on a single source, such as a press release, or there are multiple contributors, such as a collection of photos.