The Yellow Perspective

Using his own experiences as a guide, mental health advocate and television personality Kevin Kreider explores masculinity in American culture through the lens of Asian American men

The Yellow Perspective explores social barriers and emotional challenges men—especially Asian men—face in a society still committed to antiquated norms for masculinity. Kevin Kreider examines how cultural perceptions can adversely influence an individual’s thought processes, impact their actions, and negatively affect their mental and physical health, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and anger, or destructive behaviors like substance abuse and self-harm.

The book speaks directly to the experience of so many Asian men, in particular. Kreider draws on his experience in as a transracial adoptee and his personal discoveries in therapy to examine the emasculation of Asian men by Western society, and looks at the degrading stereotypes and ingrained biases that have constrained Asian men, undermined their integrity, limited their opportunities, and reinforced a sense of inferiority.

While all men have a complicated relationship with masculine ideals, Asian men in particular will recognize themselves in Kreider’s writing.