Sage Lin: Stereotypes and Creating Change

Sophomore Sage Lin believes there are educational stereotypes put on the Asian community.

“One stereotype I’d probably like to get rid of would be we’re known to be higher academically,” Lin said.

Lin finds that the labels of “intelligence” and being the model minority plastered on the Asian-American community is harmful when it comes to applying to college.

Affirmative action is a step universities take to broaden their diversity and provide more opportunities for minorities to attend their schools. However, standards of a university must be met, regardless of racial background, in order to be admitted. 

“It kind of puts more pressure on me because I don’t know what  certain colleges are looking for,” he said. “If they’re looking for like a higher score due to my race or like no affirmative action.”

Lin’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan because his grandfather had hopes of receiving a college education. Lin’s father and siblings grew up in Delaware as children but spent most of their adolescence in Chicago.

“My dad always tells stories about where he lived,” Lin said. “There was a big Asian community, and there was a Chinese school nearby, and that’s where in kindergarten he had to learn Mandarin.” 

Lin tries to involve himself in his culture and explore it as much as he can.

“Every now and then I try to learn something new from my culture and its traditions, and I try to obtain some of the practices,” Lin said. “I just try and learn as much as I can that I  haven’t already experienced.”

The influence of Lin’s heritage has encouraged him to seek higher education and to continue to try his best in everything he does. Lin’s aunt was a Harvard graduate and the class valedictorian—accomplishments that encourage Lin to aim for his goals.

“It pushes me to strive for higher goals academically,” Lin said. “ It makes me want to work harder for a higher degree, it just pushes me harder.”

 With the recent broadcasting of Anti-Asian hate crimes in the media, Lin is in disbelief that it is still occurring in 2021. Since the pandemic began, the number of hate crimes perpetrated against the Asian American community has risen by about 150% despite the 7% decrease in hate crimes in the United States altogether according to Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.  

“Things like that, to think that something in 2021 like that is happening is kind of a crazy thing,” Lin said. “But it is, and it’s been happening this whole time.”

Lin said he has family members who have experienced the impact of the hate crimes.

“I do know a couple of family chain who have been affected,” Lin said. “For example, my uncle has been publicly called slurs.” 

Although Lin wasn’t directly impacted, he said his feelings are still genuine. 

“It brings a wave of emotions that I can’t really explain, but it’s just really sad to hear,” Lin said. “ It doesn’t affect me personally but to just have it that close, it’s unbelievable to me.”

In order to create change, Lin believes that we need more people doing the right thing. 

“We need more people standing up and more protests for the equality that we need,” Lin said.

However, living in today’s climate hasn’t swayed how Lin feels about his culture. 

“I’m happy that I’m Asian American. I mean, I’m proud,” Lin said. “ I don’t look down on myself in wishing I wasn’t Asian. I love being Asian. It’s a part of who I am.”