Who is the Real “Model Minority”? An Asian American Reading of Ruth and Ebed-Melech in the Hebrew Bible

Abstract

The label of “model minority” 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 “model minority” has often been mirrored in the biblical book of Ruth since she, as ancient Israel’s most famous daughter-in-law, is portrayed as compliant, loyal, and industrious despite being a “perpetual foreigner.” Recent global developments have mounted a challenge to this account of the submissive “model minority.” Since Ruth’s character is ambiguous and has been (mis)used at times among Asian American Christians as a “biblical” example, the real “model minority” is found in Jeremiah’s 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.