Very thoughtful post on the backlash against Asian Americans in tech.
Lot of layers to unpack here.
1) Asian Americans are in a precarious spot: they are extremely successful but as fairly recent arrivals into the country, they lack historical legacy. They don't garner sympathy from Whites the way Blacks do, they lack the institutional power of Jews, they don't have the backing of a major political party (in the way Blacks do from Dems), and they don't have a coherent culture that resonates with mainstream America (no, k-pop & k-drama are not Asian American culture).
2) This means that Asian Americans are de facto on their own, relying on their intelligence, grit, ambition, to get a piece of the American Dream. There is no DEI/AA, fawning media coverage, or a political party kissing their ass. This self-reliance mentality is drilled into Asian Americans from an early age. Combined with success, we see its manifestation via "humble bragging," and obnoxious uncouth signaling of status.
3) There is also a gender component here that transcends race. Women who succeed in elite institutions & male dominated spaces, have an insatiable need to tell the world that they're not just boss babes but also "hot." Unlike men, they're not content to just build. Only through visual manifestation & attention, is their ego truly satisfied. You don't see Alexander Wang/Scott Wu/Jeff Yan trying to larp as CHADS. No, they know what they're good at; they're singularly focused on the mission.
4) Both left & right wing populism resent success but in different ways. The left hates wealth, meritocracy, beauty. The MAGA right believes that White heritage Americans have been denied their birthright. Asian Americans are a threat because they outperformed despite the playing field tilted against them.