AAJA Responds to Rosie O'Donnell's Offensive Mimic
UPDATE: In today’s (Thursday, December 14) broadcast of “The View,” Rosie O’Donnell apologized to the “people who felt hurt ” by her comments, saying that it was “unbeknownst” to her that it was very offensive like the “n” word. Her apology was preceded by a replay of the original segment of the TV show. MORE on Rosie's apology.
December 8, 2006
It has come to our attention that in a recent broadcast of “The View,” co-host Rosie O’Donnell tried to mimic the Chinese language by uttering repeated phrases of “ching chong. . .”
We feel strongly that it is our responsibility to call attention to what we consider a mockery of the Chinese language and, in effect, a perpetuation of stereotypes of Asian Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens. The use of the distorted phrases is insulting to the Chinese and Chinese Americans and gives the impression that they are a group that is substandard to English-speaking people.
We find it especially disturbing that this incident comes from a well-loved personality and a television program aired on a respected network.
The Asian American Journalists Association is happy to make its resources available to ensure that both news and entertainment media always remain cautious about the use of sensitive or derogatory material in their broadcasts. We also hope that Ms. O’Donnell will address this issue and apologize to her viewers, especially the Chinese and Chinese Americans who have been greatly insulted by this broadcast segment.
Rene M. Astudillo
Executive Director
Asian American Journalists Association
FLASHBACK 2001:
- Remember Amy Leang's experience at the convention of the American Society of Newspaper Editors?
STATEMENTS:
- New York City Councilman John Liu responds: Letter to Barbara Walters
- The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), a national Asian Pacific American organization dedicated to ensuring social justice for APAs, is deeply offended by Rosie O’Donnell’s mocking and imitation of Chinese newscasters.
- The Asian American Justice Center is shocked by Rosie O’Donnell’s racist references.
RELATED ITEMS:
- From People: Outrage Grows Over Rosie O'Donnell's Asian Joke
- From the San Francisco Chronicle: "Asian American advocates decry parody by TV's O'Donnell"
- From the New York Post: "Rosie to Asians: Loosen Up"
- Esther Wu's column, Dallas Morning News
ROSIE'S RESPONSE:
In response to a viewer's question about the incident, Rosie had this to say on her Web blog
"it was not my intent to mock
just to say how odd it is
that danny drunk
was news all over the world
even in china
it was not meant to mock"
MEDIAWATCH FRESH VIEW:
- Looking At The World Through Rosie-Colored Glasses by Jeff Yang, member, AAJA New York Chapter.
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