Talk:Elizabeth Shin

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The article starts by stating that Shin's death is now believed to have been accidental, but refers to it as a suicide throughout. Furthermore, it only provides support for the notion that it was a suicide, and offers no reasons why it should be considered an accident. This makes no sense. Miai 23:22, 2 October 2005 (UTC)

The first link says "The discovery phase of the case has drawn out new evidence indicating that Shin’s death in 2000 was “much more likely a mistake” than a suicide, said Curtis R. Diedrich, a lawyer representing Dr. Linda Cunningham, who treated Shin at MIT Medical. The doctor who wrote the death certificate was “not necessarily in a position to make a determination whether this was something [Shin] intended or not,” he said, declining to give further explanation as litigation is ongoing." But that's all the information it gives.

Contents

[edit] Korean culture, parental pressure, mental health, model minority

For me, Elizabeth Shin illustrates several issues affecting Asian American youth. I added paragraphs mentioning the extreme pressure for academic success, the reluctance among Asians to use mental health services or to acknowledge mental health issues, and the model minority myth that helps hide these issues from teachers, administrators and the public at large. Asian Americans might also want to dismiss these issues because it may make them feel it reflects poorly on them in the eyes of mainstream Americans. There is a long history of other ethnic groups trying to shape what is said about them to reflect only success, positive attributes. Asian Americans may even promote the model minority myth, or at least decline to challenge it.

I used the best sources I could find easily. I can improve them, I think.

I forgot to mention that I am a second generation Korean American, and I am a professional counselor/mentor to Asian American high school students. I have often found that very few adults, Asians and non-Asians alike, are aware of and willing to acknowledge issues among Asian American youth. The youth themselves are a different matter.

(The preceding unsigned comment was by | 66.213.213.18)

[edit] Reply

With due respect, I believe that your additions don't belong in this article. The cultural issues you bring up are real, but to associate them with a particular individual without strong evidence is inappropriate.

As an example: It's a true statement that sickle-cell anemia is more prevalent among black Americans than white Americans. But it's a misapplication to state that Michael Jordan is at higher risk for sickle-cell anemia than the population in general. Unless you have specific information about Jordan's health, it's racist to make that claim about him just because he is black.

You have not shown that Elizabeth Shin's family life exposed her to the issues you raise; you're simply saying that the issues apply because she is Asian.

--Heath 68.191.7.126 05:51, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Yikes... sad story, but the analog that Heath writes is incorrect. Blacks are at a higher risk for sickle-cell. How that fits with Michael Jordon... I don't know. after reading the second link on how many visits she had with psychiatrist, its obvious that she suffered from major depression and likely a personality disorder with her self-mutilation. Sure there maybe added pressure by having parents with high expectations and pressures, but the loose association here is just that, loose. I think that I would rather have high expectations and pressure, than low expectations and be raised in the inner-city. ER MD 10:01, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Agreed

I agree with Heath. Whenever I read this article, I am bothered by the last two paragraphs. They are interesting topics for discussion, but that's where they belong, in the discussion. The article itself should be kept strictly on the topic of Ms. Shin and the events surrounding her life, death, and trial.

I am going to take the liberty of removing the last two paragraphs in a week, barring serious objection.

[edit] Terrible tragedy

I actually, to a small extent, knew Liz Shin. She was from my town and graduated in the same class as my sister (whom was five grades ahead of me, which is why I say that I only kind of knew Liz). It is obvious from her college experiences that she was both very sick and very lonely; my sister told me after her untimely passing that she didn't think Liz had many friends in high school. With that said, Liz was also an absolutely exceptional student, and incredibly intelligent (she graduated as her class's salutitorian). Even though it was many years ago, it was still a horrible tragedy that happened, and I can only hope mental counseling- at MIT and in general- have been slightly improved because of the awful events that unfolded. -- Kicking222 01:37, 18 May 2006 (UTC)