GSS MSW student Ada Lin, GSS ’22, recently published an article in the New Social Worker about COVID-19 and Anti-Asian hate, problematic data collection methods, and the harmful effects of the “Model Minority Myth” — and how social workers can advocate for data collection solutions that will help better serve communities of color.
Lin originally wrote the article, titled “I Am an Asian American, but Invisible: The Model Minority Myth and How Better Data Will Help To End Anti-Asian Hate” as a class assignment, publishing it with the New Social Worker as a call for social workers to advocate for better data collection methods.
“Without clear data collection, state and city governments cannot provide equitable funding to meet the needs of the communities,” Lin wrote. “In addition to the different needs, outreach methods will vary depending on the cultural and ethnic background of the community.
“Social workers need to be aware of the growing and varying needs among Asian American communities. Without adequate funding, social workers cannot provide adequate support for their community members. Research methods and outreach strategies need to be culturally sensitive.”
“Thanks @newsocialworker for supporting student voices #swstudents and #swadvocacy !!” GSS Associate Professor Dr. Lauri Goldkind tweeted. “So exciting to see my students in print.”