A Second-Class Slur?

By the nature of how the United States was established and continues to evolve, it is no wonder that Americans are enamoured with rebels. Many Asian Americans, after all, are descendants of those who escaped rigid traditions in their homelands to come here, seeking more opportunity and greater freedom.

Perhaps in our leaders, too, we like to see to see a bit of that rebellious tradition.

With such public sentiment, it’s no wonder that one of Vice President Gore’s biggest political hurdles is overcoming his notorious “wooden” image. And as the son of former President George Bush, George W., seems all too tied to privilege and the establishment -- a connection that has hindered him in his presidential bid.

Then along comes Sen. John McCain, sweeping through America on his “Straight Talk Express.” People tired of the party line, both Democratic and Republican, have jumped on his “insurgent” bandwagon. Though reported to tell crude jokes, including those mocÑing innocents such as senior citizens, Alzheimer’s victims and Chelsea Clinton, McCain has, until recently, escaped reproach because his sense of humor seems so refreshing in this otherwise sedate election.

In New Hampshire, McCain pulled off a landslide victory over the heavily financed Bush, winning with close to 50 percent of the votes. But McCain made what many consider to be a serious political mistake when the mainstream press reported his unapologetic use of the word “gook” to describe the North Vietnamese soldiers who held him captive and tortured him in a P.O.W. camp from 1967 to 1973.

However, it has not played out as a long lasting mistake for McCain.

After losing in the conservative state of South Carolina, McCain edged out Bush in the more moderate state of Michigan by 50 to 44 percent, with striking levels of new, Democratic and independent voters -- people who would be expected to take offense at his comments.

It seems McCain has not suffered political consequences for flagrantly using a racial slur in part, because the national press, like the New York Times, didn’t give his remarks any coverage.

This is in marked contrast with the media frenzy last year over a Washington, D.C., city councilman’s aide, who uttered a word in a comment about the city budget that merely resembles a racial slur. That word was “niggardly,” which has its roots in Scandinavia and lacks any negative racial connotations, according to dictionaries. The aide’s subsequent resignation led to a national debate over political correctness and racial sensitivity that reached the vaunted Sunday morning talk shows.

More disturbing than McCain’s total disregard for Asian American sensitivities is the lack of attention the story has received from the rest of the country outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, raising doubts about the national media’s sensitivity to racial issues beyond the black-white dynamic.

Ôhe fact that a word that sounds like “nigger” can stir a national debate, while “gook” doesn’t even make national network news, begs the question: Is “gook” a second-class racial slur for second-class citizens?

Vote Bush, Bradley

The President of the United States must absolutely demonstrate a sincere understanding of race in America.

Former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley has committed himself to opening a dialogue on race with the American people. While Vice President Al Gore has collected an impressive list of endorsements from API politicians and actively engaged members of the API community, a bolder dedication to racial understanding is lacking from his rhetoric.

George W. Bush, has also reached out to minorities. The Texas governor has proven he can work with Latino Americans and has made a legitimate effort to reach out to Asian American voters as evidenced by the California Republican Party’s convention earlier this month.

Òetter race relations in our country cannot be legislated in public policy. Improving the situation requires inspiration and constant reminders that we treat the issue of race with the urgency that it deserves.