Posted by drd on April 26, 2001 at 17:36:23:
Subject: CALL TO ACTION Ð Stop The APA Bashing
Conflict between the US and China, unfortunately, leads to
bashing of Chinese Americans and the Chinese people. Its
consequence, however, spills to ALL Asian Pacific Americans since
we are not, in general, physically distinguishable. Recall that
Vincent Chin was killed by two unemployed Detroit auto-workers
who mistook him for a Japanese American.
If such bashing is left unchecked, damage to our lives
creeps in and exacerbates, including psychological
pressure and career obstacles. It seems impossible now, but the
internment of Japanese Americans began in this same manner.
What could happen if, God forbid, the conflict escalates.
80-20 is determined to nip the bashing in the bud. This e-mail is
a CALL TO ACTION.
Yesterday, 80-20's Steering Comm. resolved to take on the anti-
bashing fight. We'll help organize a GRAND COALITION of APA
organizations. Separately, 80-20 is setting up its own ANTI-
BASHING FUND (ABF). If you want to see bashing stopped, send a
check to
Professor Chun Wa Wong
3780 Keystone Ave.
Suite 106
Los Angeles, CA 90034-6363
Make it payable to 80-20 but specify for ABF . Citizens and
permanent citizens may contribute, personal checks only. Your
giving is NOT tax deductible. Please state your occupation and
employer if your donation exceeds $200.00. Please e-mail S.B. to
let him know that you are helping. If you total contribution to
80-20 since its foundation exceeds $500, your name will be on
permanent display on our web site. www.80-20initiave.net.
The rest of this e-mail contains (A) What is bashing, (2) How to
stop bashing, and (3) How you can help?
(A) What is bashing?
Criticizing policies of a foreign nation or specific acts of the Asian
Pacific American (APA) community or its subsets is NOT bashing.
Stereotyping the supposed comical physical features of Asians,
e.g. slant eyes, buck teeth, and thick glasses is bashing. A recent
example is a cartoon by Patrick Oliphant published in a national
circulation. A cartoon is to ridicule the politics, not the people.
Demonizing is bashing. You may recall that 80-20 mobilized the
APA community and the mainstream media on 10/27 of last
years to compel the pulling of a Republican TV ad imitating the
infamous "Daisy" TV ad fanning the fear of "yellow peril." The
ad was pulled within 24 hours.
Castigating all persons of Asian descent on account of our
nation's conflict with any Asian country is bashing. Recent
examples in various radio and TV broadcasts include : the
boycott of Chinese restaurants, the barring of "Chinese" from the
Erron baseball field in Houston, putting "Chinese" in concentra-
tion camps, and sending "Chinese" back where they came from.
Such advocacy makes no difference between Asian nationals and
American citizens of Asian descent. Even supposing a distinction
is made and the attack is centered on a specific Asian nationals
only, it is still too indiscriminate and hateful. First amendment
right has limits. The first amendment does not give a person the
right to shout "Fire" in a crowded theater, joke "I am carrying a
bomb" in an airplane, or express hate towards a race or ethnic
group.
Even in less obvious cases, we MUST speak out. The first
amendment may protect the right of a skit actor to utter "Ching,
ching, chong, chong." imitating how an Asian talks in order to
draw a cheap laugh. However, the same first amendment
protects our right to protest against the insensitivity of that skit.
(B) How to stop it?
When there is CONCRETE evidence involving a SIGNIFICANT media
personality and/or a MAJOR media outlet that has CLEARLY
crossed the line, the proposed Coalition will pounce. National
attention will focused on our protest giving LANDMARK
SIGNIFICANCE to the subsequent corrective measures taken by the
offending personalities /media outlet.
Thereafter, the news will spread among media workers that
bashing APAs is no longer a free shot.
(3) How you can help?
Help TAPE the offending broadcasts and report them to 80-20.
Get you recorders ready. Give financially to ABF. We are only as
strong as you are. Tell us that YOU ARE STRONG.