TakingITGlobal

31 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 We were able to connect disparate communities, and to engage with many multi- ethnic Asian community members. Model Minority Mutiny Naomi Woo T he "Model Minority" myth — the flawed and false notion that all Asians achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success through their inherent intelligence and hard work ethic — is significantly harmful for a number of different reasons, but especially because it pits Asian communities against other marginalized and racialized communities. By organizing workshops that engage the Asian community in Winnipeg, Naomi Woo aimed to develop the historical knowledge and tools to disrupt this myth. Naomi hosted two private and one public workshop discussing topics of Asian identity with a diverse group of Asians, exploring the historical origins of this myth, and discussing actions that can be taken to combat anti-Blackness and anti-Indigenous racism as a community of Asians. The workshops were attended by 40 people in total, and resulted in the creation of the Prairie Asian Organizers, a new collective of Asians in Winnipeg resisting this racist tool of oppression. "We engaged with Asians in Winnipeg at a wide variety of age ranges and from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds," Naomi reflects. "We were able to connect disparate communities, and to engage with many multi-ethnic Asian community members. I feel really proud of the longevity and continued life that this community will have as a result of the introductory activities we hosted." A special thank you to University of Manitoba — Community Engaged Learning for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Naomi to make this project possible. A social media post giving more context on Naomi's workshop.

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