Let's Take A Break from Suppression and Let's Talk About Progression

(2012 US National Taekwondo Poomsae Team in Columbia) 

We always talk about how Asian Americans are being mistreated, under appreciated, and less powerful than the other races. But how about their progression and success? This past week, the US National Taekwondo Poomsae Team represented our country at the 7th World Championships which were held in Tunja, Columbia.

Okay, so where am I going with this? Well, the US National is composed of 25 athletes as well as 8 coaching staff and personal. What's surprising is that 20 out of 25 of the elite athletes and half of the coaching staff as well as the head coach are all Asian Americans.

This team has also made history for the US by placing 3rd in the world for the most medals at this year's championship as well as breaking records in majority of the divisions they competed in. Jason Hwang and Claire Young-A Kim also made history by getting the first gold medal in the Pairs 2 division.

(Jason Hwang and Claire Young-A Kim winning first place) 

They are both talented and successful Asian Americans in the sport.

All of these athletes have proved that the US and Asian American's have gone a long way in the sport ever since the team first started 7 years ago. It was hard for Asian American athletes to get far in this sport since the first thing to think about when you hear a team for the United States by any foreigner would be comprised of White Americans.

However this success can be traced to their stereotype.
Being good at martial arts.
The model minority working hard.

All of these factors can be true, but this is a sport. If you want to get big then you have to work harder than anyone else. All of these athletes have practiced long hours, word exceptionally hard, and came at the top by being number 1 in the nation as well as breaking records at the world stage. I mean, Noreen Thackery, who is considered to be a White American didn't win the first ever gold medal for the US at the World Championships by just being the superior race. The judges do not score individuals based off their race or gender, but by their skill and abilities to perform the most perfect techniques.

(Noreen Thackery, in the gold uniform) 

This just goes to show, that they can be successful.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=482850251765534&set=vb.100001216907414&type=2&theater

(here's a link to a video of some of their performances to have a better idea of their skills.)

(Photo credits to: Muhammad Chisti)