Ruby Ibarra
What country did Ruby Ibarra and her family immigrated to the US from?
The Philippines
What term did researchers Gerbner and Gross coin to describe the harm of being erased or absent from media?
The idea that if you don't see yourself in media, you are deemed insignificant in the real world.(Symbolic annihilation)
According to the Geena Davis Institute, About what percent of global media is made in the U.S.?
About 80%
Name at least one change the article suggests to improve Asian American representation in media?
Hire more AAPI creators OR pay workers fairly OR include writers from the start
What program did Ruby's elementary school teacher try to put her in, and what was it for?
ESL (English as a Second Language). The teacher assumed Ruby couldn't speak in English.
Who created the “model minority” idea and when?
1966, by White sociologist William Petersen in a New York Times Magazine article about Japanese Americans.
What does the model minority myth claim about Asian Americans and what does Pew Research data actually show?
the myth says Asians are all successful, but data shows big income inequality
How could seeing people like you in media change how you feel about yourself?
It can make you feel seen, confident, and like you belong
What book did Ruby read in college that made her cry and why was it significant to her?
America is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan. It was the first time she saw herself and her family reflected in a story and it made her feel like she was not invisible anymore.
According to a 2021 USC Annenberg study, roughly what percent of Asian/Pacific Islander characters in top 2019 films died by the end and how did most die?
About 25% died, almost all violently.
The article mentions that 62% of over 10,000 anti-Asian hate incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate were against women. How does the article connect this statistic to media representation?
Media oversexualizes them, which leads to harm and disrespect
The Atlanta shooting is cited as an example where this framing was used to minimize a mass killing.
What stereotype is shown when someone asks “Where are you really from?”
Perpetual foreigner
How did Ruby Ibarra’s experiences growing up affect how she saw her own identity?
She felt invisible and unsure of herself because she didn’t see people like her represented
What is the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype and why is it harmful?
It assumes Asian Americans are not truly American, which leads to discrimination and exclusion
The article says Asian Americans are most likely to be hired but least likely to be promoted. What stereotype causes this and why?
The model minority myth. It makes people see Asian Americans as hard workers but not as leaders, so they get passed over for promotions.
How could better representation in media change real-world attitudes?
It can reduce stereotypes and help people see Asian Americans as fully human and diverse
Why does Ruby Ibarra believe telling your story is powerful?
Because it helps others feel seen and shows that their experiences matter
Why does the article say stereotypes are dangerous even if they seem “positive”?
They still limit how people are seen and can lead to discrimination
How does media shape how people treat others in real life?
It influences how we think, which can lead to bias, stereotypes, and behavior toward others
How can you personally challenge harmful stereotypes in your daily life?
By speaking up, questioning stereotypes, and supporting diverse voices