JACL National Youth/Student Council Chair Kimberly Shintaku

University of Colorado at Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson

The chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder has responded to a complaint lodged by the Japanese American Citizens League regarding an apparently anti-Asian article that appeared in a student publication.

Kimberly Shintaku, national chair, and Leilani Savitt, national representative, of the JACL National Youth/Student Council wrote the following letter to Cassie Hewlings, editor-in-chief of the Campus Press, on Feb. 27:

“The National Youth/Student Council of the Japanese American Citizens League is deeply disturbed by student columnist Max Karson’s [Feb. 19] article ‘If it’s war the Asians want … it’s war they’ll get.’

“As the oldest national Asian American civil and human rights organization, our mission is to ensure fair and equal treatment for all people and to work towards a society free of bigotry. The JACL National Youth/Student Council, comprised of student representatives from across the nation, is the official voice of youth in the organization.

“In our capacity, we monitor the media to ensure there is fair and balanced coverage, racial tolerance and cultural sensitivity.

“In his article, Mr. Karson makes a multitude of ill-informed, racist statements. He writes that Asians will be rounded up from the ‘math and engineering buildings,’ forced to eat ‘bad sushi from ... forks’ as well as redecorate households ‘in a traditional American style.’

(Editor’s note: Another paragraph reads, ‘Once the Asian spirit has been broken, Phase 3 will begin. Before we let the Asians go, we will go to their homes and redecorate them in a traditional American style. We will replace their rice cookers with George Foreman Grills, their green tea mochi with fried Snickers bars, and their rice rockets with Hummers. And booster seats.’)

“Although the article has been characterized as satire, it nevertheless exploits common stereotypical misconceptions about Asian Americans. We, the JACL National Youth/Student Council, found Mr. Karson’s poor attempt at humor to be severely lacking in reason and intelligence.

“The Asian Pacific Islander community is incredibly diverse in its ethnic makeup, generational differences, and socio-economic status. Mr. Karson’s article neglects these crucial facts and continues to promote racist stereotypes about the API community, including that of the conniving Asian and the ‘model minority’ myth, which encompasses the idea that a majority of API students gravitate toward math and science.

“In a CU article released on Feb. 22, 2008, the University of Colorado announced the implementation of diversity training for CU newspaper staff to further prevent any similar ‘editing lapses.’ The JACL National Youth/Student Council believes this is a positive first step in fostering understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity on campus.

“However, we feel there is a vital need to both educate the entire campus on an annual basis and to establish a strong policy on hate speech to avoid any similar articles or incidents from occurring.

“We will continue to monitor the Campus Press henceforth in the hope that immediate progress will be made.”

In a response dated March 3, Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson wrote, “I know that you have been concerned about the opinion piece written by Max Karson that appeared in the Feb. 19 edition of the CU Campus Press. I wanted to provide you with an update on the actions we have taken here at CU in response to the article.

“First let me start by apologizing for the piece. The editorial outraged our entire campus community, and was an affront to our efforts to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“While I have been advised that the piece is protected by the First Amendment, the way in which the Campus Press packaged and presented it was not consistent with our efforts to educate a new generation of journalists in the best practices of the profession.

“Also, as I have stated before, just because you can say (or write) something does not mean you should ...

“I wanted you to know that a few days ago we had a meeting with approximately 300 students to discuss this issue and have a constructive dialogue. The discussion was led by approximately 10 student leaders and involved the leadership from the university (including me), the Campus Press, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. We then opened it up for general questions and answer session.

“The advisor and editor of the Campus Press both apologized for the article and we identified a number of steps that we anticipate taking.

“Among these was one in which I, as chancellor, and the provost will consider recommendations from the dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications regarding restructuring, management and oversight of the CU Campus Press.

“Following this initial review, these recommendations will be presented to a representative student group to gather their comments and input before the recommendations are made final.

“Thank you for allowing me to update you, and please recognize that this event does not represent the character of our students here at CU, the best work of the Campus Press or our values as a learning community.”

About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: copyright 2006-2008 by Hokubei Mainichi, Inc.; all rights reserved