Letters to the Editor

June 25, 2004

NFL Must Address Racial Insensitivity

Editor’s Note: Assemblywoman Judy Chu wrote the following letter to Paul Tagliabue, commissioner of the National Football League.

As an Asian American public official who represents a large Asian Pacific American population in the Los Angeles area, and as the chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes, I am writing to express my concerns with coach Bill Parcell’s reference to “Jap plays” in a press conference on June 7, 2004, and the NFL’s decision not to take any action nor review Parcell’s comments.

While I understand that Parcell immediately apologized for his comment, I believe that the League, the Dallas Cowboys franchise and Parcell must take proactive measures to ensure that racially inappropriate comments are not used again.

Football in the United States is a popular sport that draws millions of viewers, many of whom are youth. NFL players, managers and owners have an added imperative to serve as positive role models for America’s youth, teaching values such as sportsmanship and tolerance by their example.

Given the diversity in its participants and audience, the NFL should understand the dehumanizing harm in stereotypes and discrimination, and work to prevent and publicly punish such behavior. Racial insensitivity and outright bigotry by any member of the NFL cannot be excused or condoned.

I sincerely hope that the NFL will not tolerate such blatant racism and will take steps to educate others in the league and set policies that will enhance racial sensitivity. I suggest that the league circulate an official memorandum that makes clear that the league will not condone racially insensitive remarks and that further incidents will be penalized accordingly.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my serious concerns. I hope to hear from you soon on your response to these issues.

Judy M. Chu

49th Assembly District

Justice in a Time of Heated Rhetoric

Dear Editor: I am glad you published the letter from Dale Minami, Karen Kai, Donald Tamaki and Robert Rusky (“DA Harris Takes Principled Stand,” June10) supporting District Attorney Kamala Harris and her decision not to seek the death penalty for the killer of Officer Espinoza. As they say, it is exactly at times like this — when heated rhetoric fills the air — for us, as well as her, to stand by principles of mercy and justice.

I would add these thoughts, too: The life of a police officer is no more valuable than that of an ordinary citizen. Offenses against police do not deserve any extra retribution. Police officers merit our respect, not our worship. There is a danger of them becoming a privileged elite with special prerogatives and immunities, whereas on too many occasions police officers themselves do not show proper respect for citizens, particularly people of color. We need to be reminded again and again of the experience of Japanese Americans during WWII, when agents of the government overrode the rights of citizens in a time of panic. Thank you for doing that.

Martin Birnbach

Santa Barbara, Calif.

Silence Can Lead to Evil

Dear Editor: In reference to the article “Ceremony to Honor Wen Ho Lee Canceled” (June 10), my question is: Where does Kaloogian get off telling the Asian Pacific American caucus who should or should not be honored? How patronizing can you be?

The insinuation by the right wing that somehow Lee is an enemy has no basis in fact or in court. I was disappointed that the caucus caved in to the neo-conservatives’ McCarthy scare tactics with the rationale of sparing Lee from an “awkward situation.” This holds no water when a greater principle is involved — that of asserting your rights.

In order for evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good people to remain silent. Let this serve as a wake-up call on the coming of fascism in America, wrapped in an American flag. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance!

Henry Y. Mar

Oakland, Calif.

Bring it on, Emil

Dear Editor: Even as the nation mourns the loss of former President Ronald Reagan, Emil Guillermo, “Mr. Affirmative Action,” continues his assault, calling Reagan the “great polarizer” (“Balancing the Memory of Reagan,” June 10).

Civil rights in Guillermo’s mindset means denying a student’s entrance to a college on the basis of skin color. Yet as a spokesman of the cultural left, Guillermo has difficulty pronouncing the ‘p’ word. (Just purse the lips and push out, “p-p-preferences.”) The voters of California endorsed Proposition 209 six years ago in order to prohibit race preferences but as we’ve found out, democratic process has little meaning for Democrats. His column, however, implies eagerness to have debate and honest dialogue on this most divisive issue. All right, Guillermo, you win. Let the debate begin right here in AsianWeek. We offer a conservative five-point plan for sustainable, fair and constitutional diversity. A plan designed to move the peoples of California toward social cohesion and stability. Let the progressives offer their own. Bring it on.

Letters to the Editor

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