Related Link:
Minn. Radio Host Implies Asians Look Alike - AAJA Chapter Responds
The AAJA Minnesota Chapter sent the following letter to the KARE 11 general manager, news director, news anchor and reporter:
July 2, 2008
Dear Mr. Remes, Mr. Lindner, Mr. Shaver and Mr. Perkins,
I'm writing on behalf of the Asian American Journalists Association's
Minnesota Chapter to air our grievance with use of the phrase "Asian
invasion" in a KARE 11 video clip titled "Asian Representation at U.S.
Open in Interlachen."
The clip, dated Tuesday, June 24, 2008 features Randy Shaver introducing
a piece by Eric Perkins about the influx of Asian golfers at
Interlachen. One search on the Kare 11 web site yielded a clip with
Shaver, but later searches yielded the same Perkins' piece without
Shaver's introduction. In the first clip, Shaver and Perkins each use
the phrase "Asian invasion" once. View the clip in question.
The phrase carries negative connotations, evoking the Japanese bombing
of Pearl Harbor in WWII, and has been historically used to tarnish
Asians and Asian Americans. It continues to be hurtful and offensive to
some members of our community.
We hope KARE 11 will be sensitive to such language in the future and
welcome any discussion on this issue. We also want to acknowledge Eric
Perkins' apology in the comment thread for this piece on the web site.
AAJA Minnesota is always available as a resource for future stories
about Asians and Asian Americans. You can also find a style guide
compiled by the Asian American Journalists Association.
Please contact us with any questions regarding this letter.
Sincerely,
Chao Xiong, AAJA Minnesota Media Watch Coordinator
Thomas Lee, AAJA Minnesota President
The AAJA Minnesota Chapter Board