During a random "I'm Feeling Lucky" Google search, I stumbled upon an odd study about my secret fascination, Asians.

Yes, I usually turn to my Asian brethren for small pleasures, including but not limited to: dancing, fashion suggestions, intensity. And, yes, I admit that there's still much I do not know about Asians, but this study ran along the lines of hilarity and sadness that would shamble any intellectual state of equilibrium.

The study, that was performed by Asian-American researchers, proves that Asians are not the 2400-on-SAT scoring-strictly-bound-to-education people the public assumes they are. The study proved that Asians are not over-achievers who easily gain acceptance into Ivy League institutions. The research may prove to be seminal in the sense that it will raise awareness of the academic needs of Asian students in the realm of higher education and will finally demystify or possibly remove the stigma of the "model minority."

I am left wondering, who funded this research? Though the article tries to downplay the essentialism I am about to embark on, but the study is trying to prove, to some extent, that Asians are "academically-challenged." Also, it seems to state that Asians are somehow marginalized in the class because of their "assumed" intellectual standing.

Except, there is media that strikes against the grain of these findings.

Let me refer to the Jian Li debacle. If anyone remembers, this is the Asian-American that got accepted to Yale University and was rejected by Princeton. This rejection led the aforementioned student to file a lawsuit against Princeton, claiming the admissions practices "discriminate" against Asians.

Then the Daily Princetonian published a joke issue that was met with campus backlash and accusations of racism, note the article was written with help of Asian staff members.  A blog called the Brainiac posted a smug response to the article mocking Li and the perturbed Asians. 

In Jian's lash at Princeton, he:

A) Opened the floodgates for a new crop of Asian stereotypes

B) He made Asians seem as if they are competitive elitists, while creating a platform for mockery

C) He seems to embrace his position as a "model minority," which can be easily shifted to represent all Asians

Where does this leave the Asian-Americans in the college world? Are they silently suffering from the burden of the "intellectual stamp?" Or are they quite happy to have a snug existence as "the smart ones?"

Unfortunately, I think the study does more harm than good. There's a great deal of exoticism in regards to the perception of Asians, and trying to "debunk" their academic standing does nothing to create positive discourse -- it leaves open wounds ready for salt.

Just something to think about the next time you marvel at the Asians on America's Best Dance Crew.