This article, by "Lian Ji," ran yesterday in the "joke edition" of the Daily Princetonian. I'm not laughing: Princeton University is racist against me, I mean, non-whites. The piece is obviously meant to mock rejected applicant Jian Li, who is reportedly suing the university for discrimination... but also manages to offend the sensibilities of Asian Americans on multiple levels. Joke or not, the writer takes way too much pleasure in recalling every offensive Asian stereotype possible for the piece. Contact the editors and let them know what you think, and spread the word. Don't let them hide behind their "joke issue."
What do you think? Should APA just let it slide?
2 comments:
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/01/19/news/17134.shtml
The newspaper wrote a news story about it in today's paper. I guess some of the writers were Asian, if it matters.
I fully believe that the staff did not intend to offend with the Lian Ji article. And I get the concept of using hyperbole and over-the-top satire to make a point.
However, using racist stereotypes are simply unacceptable in this day and age. Regardless of their intent, many readers will interpret this to mean that it is acceptable to perpetuate racist stereotypes.
How come no one thought it was funny when Michael Richards (Kramer) spewed those racist statements? How come that wasn't acknowledged as a brilliant use of hyperbole to spark a constructive dialog about race? (Yes, his intent was to offend. But let's say he actually was using it as satire. Would it have been acceptable then?)
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