Tokenism and Asian-American Education Industry

John L. Miller Great Neck North High School, Great Neck, NY, U.S.

^* Corresponding author: anjelicawu2022@gmail.com

Abstract

Tokenism is the practice of including a small number of people from underrepresented groups in an organization or environment, typically for the sake of appearances or quotas, without providing any real power or meaningful work. In the context of the education industry, tokenism can refer to the act of hiring a small number of Asian-American educators to appear diverse without giving them any absolute authority or opportunities for advancement. This paper will explore the prevalence of tokenism in the education industry, specifically as it relates to Asian-American educators. Using various contexts, this paper will discuss the implications of tokenism on the individuals who are included as tokens, the Asian-American community as a whole and the various obstacles that hinder the retention of Asian-American teachers and learners. Additionally, this paper will offer suggestions for combating tokenism in the education industry and creating more inclusive environments. This paper will also avail the justifications for recruiting more Asian educators, bridging cultural gaps in America, and highlighting future research problems. Tokenism is a harmful practice that has far-reaching implications. In the context of the education industry, tokenism can limit the career advancement opportunities of Asian-American educators and also deliver the message that Asian-Americans are incapable of being leaders in the field of education. Tokenism is a form of discrimination that should be addressed to create more inclusive environments in the education industry.