r****9
发帖数: 4961 | 1 http://chineseequality.org/index.php/announce/36-obama
An Open Letter to President Obama
January 12th, 2014
Dear President Obama:
The Chinese Alliance for Equality, along with other Chinese American
organizations dedicated to protecting civil rights and improving racial
equality, is writing to respond to the White House’s inadequate
investigation to the petition against the Jimmy Kimmel Show. We appreciate
your attention but are disheartened and disappointed by your office’s
stance.
First, the response completely ignored the petitioners as Chinese Americans
who are deeply troubled by the impact of broadcasting a prerecorded show
advocating racial hatred on national TV. The White House mistakenly
associated our petition for civil rights with China’s rise, which is NOT
related to one of the largest protests of Chinese Americans. ABC’s apology
came only after protests in 27 cities. We filed the petition and protested
because Chinese Americans have long endured unspeakable exclusions and
discrimination, and we know it is us who bear the consequence of racial
baiting and scapegoating. Immediately after ABC's broadcast, Chinese
American students were harassed in school by others who were chanting "kill
all the Chinese". It is the duty of elected government to protect people
from such harmful psychological effects. We are Americans who feel more
fearful than offended.
Second, the White House said that ABC had "detailed several changes in its
program review process.” Yet to this day, we the petitioners have not seen
any such "detailed changes" published anywhere. Could the White House share
with us what sustentative procedures have thus been implemented by the ABC
network?
Third, we understand that freedom of speech is enshrined in the First
Amendment, but no freedom is absolute without boundary. The speech that
incites lawless action or inflammatory words that are injurious or might
cause breach of peace are banned by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the past.
Hence, public advocacy of killing on national TV is not necessarily
protected "free speech" under the Constitution. The White House, with its
administrative and moral authority, should make concerted effort in
condemning such hate speech, promoting sensitivity toward minority issues,
and educating our younger generation toward responsible behavior.
Finally, we have not questioned mainstream opinion. We believe the American
public is peace loving. Yet we wonder if a speech with such explicit and
outrageous racial hatred is not condemned, what a message the White House is
sending to minorities in America. This trend will push Chinese Americans
further away and smash any hope of equality, a key American value. Other
minority groups are also watching and evaluating the consequences. The long
term damage to the unity of the nation is irreparable.
We hereby reach out to your office, to the media and public figures. Let’s
join hands in building a stronger nation that unites all its communities. A
meaningful step would be to establish a Chinese American week to commemorate
the historical injustice of the Chinese Exclusions Act and to celebrate the
contributions made by generations of Chinese Americans. Please do not
hesitate to contact us as we are eager to engage in more concrete
communication with your office.
Sincerely,
Chinese Alliance for Equality ( j*********[email protected] )
Asian Americans for Political Advancement
Boston Forward
Chinese Young Professionals Networking
DFW Chinese Alliance
Greater Philadelphia United Chinese American Chamber of Commerce
Houston Chinese Alliance
World Association of Chinese Elites
CNN's coverage on the protest:
http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/12/did-jimmy-kimmel-skit-ok | k********o
发帖数: 353 | |
|
