Key facts
- Steph So, CMO of Xponential Fitness, believes Asian professionals fear being overlooked due to racial biases.
- Research indicates that discrimination against Asian Americans is often less recognized by others.
- Asian Americans are less likely to be seen as "prototypical" targets of racial discrimination.
- Discrimination claims filed by Asian American employees with the EEOC had a lower resolution rate.
- So has extensive experience in marketing and growth strategies at major consumer brands.
Steph So, the Chief Marketing Officer at Xponential Fitness, has voiced concerns that Asian professionals may feel overlooked or ignored in the workplace due to racial biases. So, who has over two decades of experience in marketing and growth strategies at prominent consumer brands like Shake Shack, Ralph Lauren, and Estee Lauder, shared this perspective.
Research supports the notion that discrimination against Asian Americans can often go unnoticed. A study published in the journal Organization Science, co-authored by Tony Kong, Sora Jun, and Junfeng Wu, found that observers are less likely to perceive discrimination when the target is Asian American, even in scenarios identical to those experienced by Black Americans. This phenomenon, termed the "invisibility effect," suggests that Asian Americans are not seen as "prototypical" targets of discrimination, leading to less attention and allyship.
Data from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) between 2011 and 2017 revealed that discrimination claims filed by Asian American employees were less likely to be resolved favorably (13.3%) compared to those filed by Black employees (15.6%) or multiracial employees (15.7%). This disparity highlights a systemic issue where bias against Asian Americans may be underestimated or unaddressed.
Pew Research Center's analysis, based on a survey of 7,006 Asian adults and focus groups, further explores the experiences and views of Asian Americans regarding discrimination and racism in the U.S. The research aimed to capture the diverse perspectives within the Asian American population.