Why are Asian-Americans so successful in America?

Why do African-Americans lag behind in America?

 

Slavery is obviously the original sin, but I think you can argue "policy failure" without slavery being the main culprit.

 

So in 2008, the article says there were too many men. In 2015 we are saying there are too many women? There has to be a certain number, and be sure not too many, right?

That's great thinking.

 

Shouldn't the press corp reflect the community they serve?

It can't be a coincidence that so many women have been assigned to cover the campaign of potential first woman President. What's the reason for it?

 

Why do Asian-Americans surge ahead?

You expect others to answer your questions without ever giving any sort of substantive response to theirs.

 

Because White America loves Asian-Americans.

 

Because many of them work harder.

Once I was in a study group with some Asian-Americans. I finally had to bail because they met after class, before lunch, for HOURS. We were at the student union, and everyone around us was eating lunch. It was either leave the group or attack someone for their food.

 

What? Success is the result of hard work? That makes no sense at all!

 

Along those lines, I can recall my group of college buddies joking about partying until the Asian kids went to the library. And it sure wasn't based on fiction. I distinctly recall at least a couple mornings stumbling home after 5 A.M. in that stupor somewhere between still-drunk and soon-to-be-hungover only to see Asian kids earnestly trotting toward the library ready to begin their 12 hour Saturday study session.

And then we wonder why they do better than us.

 

Yes, but think of the memories ...

 

A little late to point this out, but one person's (or culture's) definition of "lagging behind" may not equal another's.

My better half acknowledges that Americans typically (but not always!) "live more comfortably" than those in her country. But she also (rightly) points out that they work themselves to the bone to do so, putting in more hours per day, more hours per week and more weeks per year, racking up ridiculous debt, foregoing vacations (if they are even given a chance to take them). France requires its citizens to receive 30 vacation days a year. America requires its citizens to receive . .. zero. Who's lagging behind here? And because of the grossly materialistic nature of our culture, we still struggle to be satisfied with that we have because we see others doing better and judge ourselves against them. She views America as superior to the world in hubris . . . and not much else. Regarding Asian-Americans, by many metrics they are doing superior. But are they happier? More satisfied? Less stressed? I don't know. We tend to judge "success" by our own definition of the word. A flawed premise from the start.

 

For some, it's not worth the hours per day, over years, throughout childhood. And, that's fine. People value different things. But, it shouldn't surprise us when those who choose recreational pursuits to a greater percentage don't do as well academically, and ultimately financially.

And, hopefully that balance makes them happy through adulthood.

But, it seems too often, those happy people, who "don't care about money," want to determine how the people with more money should spend theirs.