Religious Assumptions
Followers of this religion are called Muslims, although not all Muslims are Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim.
What is Islam?
This Chinese American martial arts legend starred in Enter the Dragon and helped change Asian representation in Hollywood.
Who is Bruce Lee?
People often assume everyone from the Middle East belongs to this ethnic and linguistic identity, overlooking groups like Persians and Kurds.
What is Arab?
This Korean fermented side dish, often made from cabbage, has sometimes been unfairly labeled as "smelly" despite its importance in Korean food culture.
What is kimchi?
This East Asian island country is home to Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and the birthplace of anime.
What is Japan?
Originating in South Asia, this religion includes concepts such as karma, dharma, and reincarnation and is associated with festivals like Diwali.
What is Hinduism?
This Pakistani activist became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her advocacy of girls' education.
Who is Malala Yousafzai?
For decades, people of Middle Eastern and North African descent were generally classified as this race on U.S. government forms, potentially obscuring their unique experiences.
What is White?
This term describes the pressure to adopt the customs and behaviors of a dominant culture, which can lead students to hide traditional foods or practices to fit in.
What is cultural assimilation?
This Southeast Asian country consists of more than 7,000 islands, with three major geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
What is the Philippines?
Often reduced to meditation in Western media, this religion teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
What is Buddhism?
This South Korean director made history with the film Parasite, which became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Who is Bong Joon-ho?
This term describes when someone from a marginalized racial or ethnic background is perceived by others as White because of their appearance.
What is White-Passing?
This South Asian dish combines fragrant, spiced rice with meat or vegetables and is commonly enjoyed during celebrations and family gatherings in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
What is biryani?
This Gulf country is made up of an archipelago of islands and is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway.
What is Bahrain?
Originating in Punjab, this religion emphasizes equality and service. Its followers are sometimes incorrectly assumed to be Muslim because some wear turbans.
What is Sikhism?
Known as the "Jewel of Lebanon," this legendary Lebanese singer is celebrated throughout the Arab world for her timeless music, including songs about Beirut and Jerusalem.
Who is Fayrouz?
This harmful stereotype portrays Asian Americans as universally successful and academically gifted, often using their perceived success to downplay systemic racism faced by other racial minority communities.
What is the model minority myth?
These Middle Eastern cookies, often filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts, are commonly enjoyed during religious celebrations such as Eid and Easter.
What are ma'amoul?
This country on the southern Arabian Peninsula is home to the ancient skyscraper-like mudbrick buildings of Shibam, sometimes called the "Manhattan of the Desert."
What is Yemen?
This religion originated in Japan and centers on the worship of kami, or sacred spirits associated with nature, ancestors, and places.
What is Shinto?
This Malaysian actress became the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Who is Michelle Yeoh?
This term describes subtle, everyday comments or behaviors that communicate prejudiced assumptions, even when no harm was intended.
What are microaggressions?
This traditional Levantine dish, made with bulgur wheat, minced meat, and spices, is often shaped into football-like shells and stuffed with seasoned meat and pine nuts.
What is kibbeh?
This Polynesian island kingdom is known as the "Friendly Islands" and has its capital in Nukuʻalofa.
What is Tonga?