Final answer:
The term "model minority" refers to the stereotype that Asian Americans are successful and high-achieving, but the reality is that they have faced discrimination and struggles throughout history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "model minority" refers to the perceived stereotype that Asian Americans are generally financially successful and do well academically. However, what surprises many people is the underlying reality that Asian Americans have long faced discrimination and have not always been treated as a successful and high-achieving group.
For example, in the nineteenth century, Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese immigrants, were among the most despised of all immigrant groups and were subjected to laws enforcing segregation and forbidding interracial marriage, similar to African Americans and American Indians. This history of discrimination and the struggles faced by Asian Americans contrast with the stereotype of the "model minority."
Keywords: model minority, Asian Americans, discrimination, stereotype, history, struggle