Anti Asian Racism : Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teaching

“What a much-needed book in this time of yet another rise in anti-Asian sentiment! Cheah is the perfect theologian-author to write it, having been in the forefront of the struggle against anti-Asian racism for many years. His succinct yet profoundly insightful theological contextualizing is a tour de force.”—Julius-Kei Kato, King’s University College at Western University.

“Cheah challenges the politics of exclusion of AAPI in racial discourses in churches, academia, and elsewhere by examining how Black and Asian Americans are racially positioned in American society and how their histories of oppression and liberation are interconnected. Through his discussion of toxic stereotypes he offers ways of building bridges, forming communities, and cultivating an antiracist society. It is essential reading for students, teachers, and those engaging in pastoral ministries.” —Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Earlham School of Religion; author, Spirit Life 

“This is clear analysis of Asian Americans’ complicated and subordinated racial position in the U.S., and more importantly, an invaluable theological application of how Catholic Social Teaching relates to the racism that Asians and Pacific Islanders face, and how readers can meet Jesus amidst our communities.”—Russell Jeung, San Francisco State University; cofounder, Stop AAPI Hate

This is the most comprehensive analysis to date of anti-Asian racism, told from a Catholic perspective. Cheah includes relevant Catholic Social Teaching documents, comparing and contrasting the Asian experience with anti-Black racism. The heart of the book is structured around three major stereotypes: perpetual foreigner, Yellow Peril, and the myth of the model minority. These are examined from the perspectives of history, Asian American Studies, Asian American marginal theology, biblical studies, and CST.

Joseph Cheah is professor and chair of the department of philosophy, theology, and religious studies at the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT. His previous books include Race and Religion in American Buddhism and Theological Reflections on “Gangnam Style”: A Racial, Sexual, and Cultural Critique, with Grace Ji-Sun Kim.