To the Editor:
I am writing to express my deep disappointment and surprise at the ignorance that your joke issue column displayed (“Confessions of a Jewish Asian Worshipper,” 4/1). To lay my cards out on the table, I am an Asian-American woman, and I was very offended by the stereotypes that your column chose to perpetuate.
I find it hard to believe that people who are smart enough to get into Yale are dumb enough to print such garbage. I doubt you would have printed an article espousing stereotypes about African-Americans or Jews, so why is it OK to encourage stereotyping of Asian-Americans?
The answer is, it’s not. Stereotypes are harmful precisely because they aren’t true. You can’t judge a person based upon his or her membership in a group, nor by the actions of a few. If you could, based on your actions, I’d have to say that all Yale men are irresponsible.
I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t realize just how hurtful your words were. But if you take anything away from this letter at all, please know that the column was not funny and not defensible. Next time, be more careful about what you print. This is not acceptable “humor.”
Kanchana Wangkeo LAW ’02
April 8, 2001