Who is the Real âModel Minorityâ? An Asian American Reading of Ruth and Ebed-Melech in the Hebrew Bible
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Abstract
The label of âmodel minorityâ for Asian Americans has rightly come under scrutiny due to its role in constructing a new cultural narrative that repositioned them as desirable immigrants. Among Asian American Christians, the construct of âmodel minorityâ has often been mirrored in the biblical book of Ruth since she, as ancient Israelâs most famous daughter-in-law, is portrayed as compliant, loyal, and industrious despite being a âperpetual foreigner.â
Recent global developments have mounted a challenge to this account of the submissive âmodel minority.â Since Ruthâs character is ambiguous and has been (mis)used at times among Asian American Christians as a âbiblicalâ example, the real âmodel minorityâ is found in Jeremiahâs portrayal of Ebed-Melech. He intervenes on behalf of a prophet about to be killed and speaks truth to power (Jeremiah 38). However, Ebed-Melech is frequently overlooked because of the unfounded assumption that, as a black Cushite, he must have been a slave and/or eunuch.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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Who is the Real âModel Minorityâ? An Asian American Reading of Ruth and Ebed-Melech in the Hebrew Bible
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Jerry Hwang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The label of âmodel minorityâ for Asian Americans has rightly come under scrutiny due to its role in constructing a new cultural narrative that repositioned them as desirable immigrants. Among Asian American Christians, the construct of âmodel minorityâ has often been mirrored in the biblical book of Ruth since she, as ancient Israelâs most famous daughter-in-law, is portrayed as compliant, loyal, and industrious despite being a âperpetual foreigner.â
Recent global developments have mounted a challenge to this account of the submissive âmodel minority.â Since Ruthâs character is ambiguous and has been (mis)used at times among Asian American Christians as a âbiblicalâ example, the real âmodel minorityâ is found in Jeremiahâs portrayal of Ebed-Melech. He intervenes on behalf of a prophet about to be killed and speaks truth to power (Jeremiah 38). However, Ebed-Melech is frequently overlooked because of the unfounded assumption that, as a black Cushite, he must have been a slave and/or eunuch.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 894 | 162 | 8 |
| Full Text Views | 361 | 138 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 850 | 354 | 1 |
