My TOP 10 Reasons for leaving Philadelphia 

#10: Michelle Rhee

Really. I’m not kidding. Never met her. Don’t want to meet her. But after 31 years fighting for educational justice and meeting countless numbers of passionate, mad intelligent and tireless Asian American education advocates, why is she the face that everyone sees? I shouldn't be embarrassed, but I am. See, there’s not too many of us Asian American in education – especially from my generation. We weren't supposed to be teachers – no one who looked like us, at least in Philadelphia, were teachers.

When I joined The School District of Philadelphia 31 years ago, I believe there was a handful of Asian American educators in The District. I mean literally – like 5. It took struggle and savvy to start to change that and to broaden the face of Asian America in to public education here. It took lawsuits. It took demonstrations. It took heart and tears and finally a path was carved.

But honestly, we’re still a pretty invisible bunch. So few of us who came up through the ranks and put in time. Trying to do the right thing.  Trying to understand the complexities of education. Working collectively to find a path. 1st generation Asian American educators in Philadelphia like Herbie Jung and Claire Toy. Some of the legendary Asian American educators I've met in places like New York, San Francisco or Boston  created kick-ass bilingual education programs, filed lawsuits, mentored students, translated for parents AND worked in the community in their "spare time". Those were my inspirational sheroes and heroes.  They probably didn't even realize how much they influenced me. Most have probably retired by now. 

So Michelle is kind of raining on my parade. Big time. The thing about growing up in a Chinese immigrant family is that we go way past guilt in child rearing. We go right to shame. Guilt is when someone else makes you feel badly. Shame is when you yourself think you're bad. Michelle is making me feel shame. No matter how I try to shake it and say "she's not you" - I can't help thinking her face, her race, reflects all of us because so many don't know any other Asian Americans in education. 

Historical context - for as long as I remember, the Model Minority Myth has been following us around. Stalking fans of racist ideology and Asia-phileness line up outside our homes and point fingers at the "good minority." So how appropriate for Michelle to be the face of urban education reform. She stands there and carries the unearned privilege of every stereotype that feeds into her sick view of "self as expert" . 

Of course she knows ed reform after 2 years as a teacher! She's Asian American. They're brilliant! 

Of course she knows what's best in education. She's Asian American, and don't they all do well in school?

Of course she knows that tests make great students! She's a Tiger Mom, right? Don't all Tiger Moms know?

Of course she knows how to slay evil unions. She's a Dragon Lady right?

Saddest part of this? The young Asian Americans coming up who believe that she represents something positive. Who have adopted her as a role model. Finally, a role model! So they drink the blue Kool-Aid and jump on the corporate ed reform band wagon and believe that they too, with an Ivy league Education, can outsmart all of those "lesser educated fools" who actually ASPIRED to be public school educators in for the long haul.

So off I go to India, running away from my worst nightmare. That I, by virtue of these eyes, this hair, this skin tone, am inextricably tied to Michelle. *sigh* At least in Asia, I don't think this will be a problem....