AsianWeek Takes the Racist Cake

Neela Banerjee
February 24, 2007

I have to say, I’m not a regular reader of AsianWeek. Available as a free weekly throughout the Bay Area, AsianWeek doesn’t really seem to reach the Mission District. But I am very familiar with the newspaper: I worked there as a reporter, managing editor and editor-in-chief from 2000-2003. That said, I have no familiarity with Eng or his column, which has the strange title “God of the Universe.” He does seem to be the author of two books: Dragons: Lexicon Triumvirate and Reincarnations. His Amazon.com bio lists him as the “youngest published science fiction novelist in America.”

Hmmmm. I don’t know about you, but this is certainly the resume of the guy I want to write columns about race relations!!

In an earlier column, entitled “Proof that Whites Inherently Hate Us,” Eng wrote: “Most Asians know that everywhere we go, white/black/Hispanic people hurl racist remarks at us. I have already received about 10 racist remarks in the past three months and I have only been out of my home a handful of times.” Oh AsianWeek! Did you give a column to one of those crazy recluses that never leave their house and talk to themselves on the bus??

Unfortunately, the column in question seems to have been pulled from the Internet, but you can view Eng’s other moving work by searching for his name here. Including, my favorite, “Why I Hate Asians,” which has the line: “I am also sickened when I hear Asian people imitate Negro slang in an endeavor to sound "ghetto."

Now, I can tell you, that working for AsianWeek, run by the Fang Dynasty, was a complicated job. Just like here at Hyphen, working on a pan-Asian American publication means trying to cover a lot of ground. For me that work is essentially about the intersections between communities and my favorite stories were those about multicultural alliances. Yet, I was told that the main aim of the paper was to represent the Chinese American community, the pan-Asian American-ness more of a marketing tool and less of a reality. Obviously, there seems to be very little excuse for running a column by a self-proclaimed “Asian Supremacist,” (AKA: a straight up racist) but to do it in a publication that already has such iffy ties with community. Bad idea.

Here’s the petition that’s been circulating about the column:
ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS CRITICIZE ASIANWEEK FOR PRINTING 'WHY I HATE BLACKS' COLUMN

(Feb. 23, 2007) Asian American leaders joined together Friday to criticize AsianWeek for printing Kenneth Eng's column "Why I Hate Blacks" in its Feb. 23 edition. The leaders condemn the piece as irresponsible journalism, blatantly racist, replete with stereotypes, and deeply hurtful to African Americans. They called on AsianWeek to take immediate action and issue an unequivocal apology, terminate their relationship with Kenneth Eng, print an editorial refuting the column, review their editorial policy and process, and hold those responsible accountable.

“Eng's article is unacceptable and offensive not only to African Americans, but to all Americans,” said Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director of the Asian American Justice Center. “AsianWeek has a responsibility to its readers and to the community to take immediate and appropriate action to repair the serious damage it has caused by publishing this piece.”

“Most Asian Americans would not be here in America today, but for the civil rights movement led by African Americans that resulted in the change to racist immigration quotas," said Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California.

“It's irresponsible for a publication like AsianWeek to publish an article that advocates hate and bigotry," said Vincent Pan, Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action.

“The publication of these racist statements is completely irresponsible and damaging to all our communities. Not only should there be a retraction but a serious effort to repair the harm caused,” said Gen Fujioka, Program Director of the Asian Law Caucus.

“Asian Americans should recognize the debt we all owe African Americans who blazed the civil rights path we have walked on in our journey to equality," said Dale Minami, President of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans.

"Eng's column harkens back to a era of Jim Crow and bigotry that should not be tolerated in our society," said Eric K. Yamamoto, Professor of Law.

"Eng's vile racism is a setback to the efforts of people of color working together against discrimination, oppression and injustice," said Keith Kamisugi, Associate Director for Communications at the Equal Justice Society. "His words alone are disgusting; that it was printed in a prominent English-language Asian Pacific American newspaper is shameful."

"Asian Americans do not share Eng's extremely racist views. Asian Americans need to take this opportunity to reach out and build a constructive dialog," said Yvonne Lee, Former Member of the U.S . Commission on Civil Rights.

"It is critical that our Asian American community stands up and tells America -- and particularly our African American brothers and sisters -- that our community has no tolerance for the racism expressed by Mr. Eng," said David Chiu, President of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area.

The leaders call on all individuals to contact AsianWeek on this matter at (415) 397-0220 or asianweek [at] asianweek.com.

An online petition is available at: http://www.capaweb.org/awpetition

Contributor: 

Comments

Comments

Curtis Lett wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 7:51pm
Well what this article shows is the deep divide there is between blacks and asians. When I was a young man I installed teletypes for a living in Los Angeles and I had to go to numerous asian companies. I was treated so badly that I eventually asked my boss to send someone else to asian companies. I do feel there is a lot of animosity between blacks and asians, but I will go further. I beleive that all immigrant groups come to this country with very negative attitudes toward blacks. It is how the media portrays us and our own negative actions.
sac wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 7:55pm
I see & agree with U,anonymous. Some bad people within each ethnic group are rotten apples that make their whole group of people look bad. Racist often hate due to their own experiences even if it's wrong. I had numerous bad & good experiences with other races growing up. We should know that just because some people are horrible does not mean that their entire race is that way. As humans we can naturally get hurt & angry when others treat us bad & w/disrespect. I take the bus to school & there's a group of youth that usually behaves negatively & annoyingly. I don't hate their race because I know they all don't behave in those ways. I know the ones that are kind, helpful, caring of others regardless of race, wonderful people of all races at schools & works.There's even many bad apples in my own race that I'm ashame of.Mr.Eng is very resentful and made a huge regretable mistake he'll have to deal w/for a long time.That mag. co. is most certainly not the voice of all asians.
TY wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 8:18pm
I agree everything Kenneth said in his article. Ever since the end of slavery, Blacks have continuously used slavery as an excuse for their own demise. Many immigrants such as Mexicans and Asians come to the United States without even knowing the English language. Yet these immigrants are willing to take bottom of the barrel jobs to survive. Jobs that Blacks will never do becuase of their pride. You never hear how Chinese complain about working for the railroad in the past but yet we have hear about Blacks complain for centuries over slavery. In the end it is the Blacks who ultimately keep the Blacks down. In their rap music Blacks constantly glorify about being gangsters or drug dealers. Too many African American teens strive to be like Scarface. Until Blacks get over slavery which took place over 200 year ago or keeping one another down they will never improve upon their current situation.
Anonymous wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 8:27pm
I see a growing bond between the black/Asian youth. I have met Asians and Blacks that that have a lot in common. Interest range form Hip Hop Culture to Martial Arts thats the future. Blacks have a negative History not only with Asians, but every other ethnic group in America. I can go to brown/white/ even African sites and they all will make statements on why they hate black People. Black Americans have stood alone in America for over 400 years and it will remain that way for a long time. In America Everything is painted White, or Black. All the other ethnic groups are just in betweens. If you come to America who do you want to have an alliance with, the white man, or the black man. Black Americans are probably the only race in America that will tell whitey to his face to go to hell and for that theres a price to be paid. When Watada denounced the Iraqi war I read articles how other Asians thought he disgraced the community. If it wouldve been a Black American we probably wouldve gotten him out of that jam with the backing of the community, not caring what America thinks. In defence of Eng, its his first amendmant right, so be it. Racist Blacks and Asians do not represent the mindset of both communities. Those Black and Asians that seek out the common good in both worlds need mmore attention and praise. Its easy to fine commentary fromthe engs of the world
Anonymous wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 8:40pm
Interesting article:http://expatjane.blogspot.com/
Matthew Price wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 9:58pm
As a black person, I agree somewhat with Kenneth Eng's sarcastic article. Our race is indeed the laughingstock of the world, due to our extreme tolerance towards the blockheads, swindlers, and criminals in our midst. Our current leaders are a joke, ethics and morals have been scrapped for decadence and mediocrity, and any attempts by a black person to do something productive can prove fatal, given the "Uncle Tom" stereotype assigned to said person. We may huff and puff for a while at this columnist for having the guts to dangle a heart-stabbing article that contains some bitter truth, not a damn thing will be done to address the problems that plague the Black community. By next Monday, Eng's article will be forgotten as the masses anticipate the next American Karaoke "reality" show.
Pat Sullivan wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 10:15pm
Racism is epidemic in this country. I almost miss the days when people hated me and kept it to themselves. There are even some Black people that will quickly agree that our "failure to thrive" is all our own doing. We are the race everyone feels themselves to be better than - the bottom rung of the racial ladder. It takes no particular intelligence, however, to regurgitate the twisted justifications of the privilaged class to maintain all that they have unjustly aquired. I'd expect no less from whites who like being on top, or the weak minded who become their mouth pieces in the hopes of becoming acceptable exceptions. In my neighborhood we called these folks Uncle Toms. It's sickening that they don't have the guts to attack the jerks with privilage that are enjoying this whole thing. Good work Ken, you won't be welcome in the KKK, though. Sorry.
Pat Sullivan wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 10:22pm
Hey Matthew Price, what part of the article did you agree with? That we were too easily coerced or that only Black folks could have been enslaved for so long?
Anonymous wrote on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 11:17pm
Eng's comment "On the other hand, we slaughtered the Russians in the Japanese-Russo War." made me laugh out loud. I barely had enough time to swallow my water before spitting it out onto the keyboard.In 1905, the Japanese defeated the Russian Navy, it's true. The Chinese had nothing to do with it. At the time, the Chinese were still nursing wounds from the failed Boxer rebellion against the westerners only 5 years previous, and was generally being wracked by civil disorder-- the kind of disorder that became a siren song for the Imperial Japanese military machine to come in and decide to put things in order.Last I checked "Eng" was a Chinese last name. Therefore it seems Eng nor his family had anything to do with the Russo-Japanese War. The "Asian Brotherhood" excuse doesn't fly either-- that's a wierd concept that only seems to exist in urban America --in modern Asian countries, Eng sure wouldn't be *my* brother. This is the kind of fake solidarity bullshit that sells crappy rags like AsianWeek. I'm glad they got smacked.
ExpatJane wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 1:43am
Hey Anonymous (number 6, I believe),Thanks for linking to me but I'm in a blogging mood which means the link will roll down a few notches once I get going ;)Here is the direct link: http://expatjane.blogspot.com/2007/02/warning-idiot-writer-at-asianweek.htmlI don't think AsianWeek should have not printed it as much as they simply should have made it clear it wasn't their view AND that Eng was pursuing a theme of hate with his op-ed pieces.At first it looks like it's just a one time time thing. However, this kid hates everyone it seems.It does open the door for communication. That much is a good thing because we know there are issues and folks need to talk about it.
Wonga wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 5:54am
I don't see what's wrong with Eng's article: he's right. The American blacks are the scum from Africa. Imagine if all the white trash were sent to China as slaves: the Chinese would have nothing but contempt for white people, then.
Rabia wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 8:52am
I am deeply angered and saddened at the racist drivel that I've seen in these posts. I guess that's what hurts so much about racism. Just when you think you that you are making advances, it bites you in the ass harder than ever. To the people who justify Eng's diatribe by climing that he is right:1) I do not see how Blacks in America have "failed" so utterly. Perhaps it is because successful black people are no longer seen as "black" in this country that we see downtrodenness as a marker of blackness. The dude with the grillz is "so black!" but we hardly notice that the university prof is also black. Granted, the black community has problems, but clearly Eng and the people who agree with him have chosen to blind themselves to the potential and success of black people. To support his belief that black people are incompetent with the fact that there was only one black kid in his AP classes is simply asinine.2) Being taunted by black and latino kids does not mean that they hate you. It's a terrible thing, of course, but such taunting results much more often from ignorance than from actual hate. The black kids in my 97% white high school had to deal with people trying to touch their hair all the time without permisison--ooh, it's so wooly, nappy hair must really suck! It's ignorant, it's inexcusable, it's incredibly offensive, but it is not necessarily hate. And of course, it's easy to notice the black kids who taunt you, but not so to notice the ones who don't, even though there are (probably, hopefully) many more of the latter.3) The slavery thing. Everybody whines and whines about how Blacks still haven't gotten over that old slavery thing. I mean it's been so long! Reminder: Jim Crow ended less than 40 years ago officially (and is perhaps still in place de facto in many parts of America). For one thing, I have yet to meet the black people some posters wrote about who keep blaming slavery for their shortcomings. Secondly, it is undeniable that the success of black people in America continues to be undermined by a lasting legacy of systematic oppression and discrimination. 40 years ago is not that long at all. It means that the parents of many young black people today received substandard educations and were denied jobs based on their race; they were forced into lower socioeconomic strata which in turn affect the potential success of their children. Let's not kid ourselves, life is a whole lot easier when mommy and daddy went to Stanford or Yale and have a rolodex full of connections ready to give us that once-in -a-lifetime internship. As for the fact that recent immigrants have "performed" better than Blacks, there are many more factors to consider. A large portion of recent immigrants are highly educated and would be the cream of the crop in their countries of origin where, more likely than not, they will not have dealt with oppression a la Jim Crow. And since immigration is largely dependent on networks, these educated immigrants help their also educated siblings and cousins immigrate as well. The rise to success is proving far more difficult for uneducated immigrants, regardless of their origin.Of note, recent immigrants from Africa, based on anecdotal evidence, perform no worse than other immigrant groups given similar socioeconomic background and education level.OK, done ranting now.
black thought wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 8:57am
First there are some things you think but don't say or write. Everyone should have a “brain editor.” He was wrong to write it. The paper was wrong to publish it. Just as Shaq, Hot 97 and recently Tim Hardaway and all the others Blacks who have made insensitive comments were wrong. Also how did we go from a writer making blatant racist statements to talking about the Black men’s plight? Second we always dwell on the negatives of the Black race. There is a negative side of all races. I have been to Japan, South Korea The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand I have seen my share of negative stereotypes from the natives of these respective countries. On the flip side I date a beautiful Filipina who resides in Japan and her family treats me with so much compassion that I sometime forget about the crap that goes on in the US to I read articles like this.
madVAgurl wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 10:38am
you should be ashamed of what you wrote ENG. and u mofo's that AGREE you should be ashamed also. who is he to say ANYTHING about a race which he DO NOT know. he knows nothing about the struggle that we as a whole have been throw.... hell is STILL going through. no one downs you and your race, so dont bring that shit to us. you speak of the "name calling" when you where is school. WELL HELL ENG THEY WHERE KIDS!!!!! and if your mom never told you allow me to be the first. KIDS ARE MEAN YET THEY ARE KIDS. you are not the first PERSON (regardless of race) and you damn sure wont be the LAST that get messed with in school. I live on the eastcoast and i know for a fact that in the CITY that i live we (yellow and black people) get along well if not good. this is not a question of whether it is us against them. this is about US as a whole maintaining and setting an example for our future (our kids). something to think about.... one day this whole "I HATE" will be gone because with different backgrounds having kids with each other... who are they gone to hate... themselves?
Rabia wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 11:10am
"First there are some things you think but don't say or write. Everyone should have a “brain editor.” He was wrong to write it. The paper was wrong to publish it. Just as Shaq, Hot 97 and recently Tim Hardaway and all the others Blacks who have made insensitive comments were wrong"Word. I don't know where people got the idea that just because speech/expression cannot be criminalized, they have license to be idiots and assholes.On a lighter note, google this guy for a few laughs.
The Angryindian wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 11:19am
While I understand that there are legitimate anecdotal notes we should all be aware of when discussing ethnic unrest, there are other more complex issues in the background.First I should be candid about my own position. While I primarily ethnically identify as an Indigenous person of colour, I also identify with the American Pinoy community in large part due to my Ilokano bloodlines via my great-great grandfather who was sold to a railroad company during the push west. My family retains cultural as well as genetic ties to SE Asia and this fact figures into my politics.Next, I grew up in the African ghettos of Brooklyn, NY in what was a primarily West-Indian neighbourhood before the recent gentrification, and Asians as were some Latinos were subject to a certain degree of ethnic targeting. However, I wish to state that the bigotry they (I was spared this and was derided instead for simply not being Black enough) experienced was taught to them by White society. The comments and words used were the exact words White folks use to harrass Asians as a group. In an effort to be "American," Africans, just like any other ethnic group in this country watch how the power structure treats various peoples. We watch the same television Asians watch and what do we see? Women who are little more than sex interests for White men and Asian males who lack any appreciable masculinity or self-respect.Thirdly, one must also consider the history of African-Asian relations in United States history. The first contact between the two peoples occurred during the Phillipine-American War, a conflict of genocide that wiped out more than half of the Indigenous population. The U.S. War Department actually fought adding African troops to the invasion forces due to fears that the newly-freed slaves would identify with the Pinoy struggle to oust the United States as the new masters of the people.Their fears were justified when more than 1/3 of the African troops sided with the Pinoys. The most famous of which was David Fagin, a commissioned officer under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.Africans and Asians met again on the West Coast and banded together for various workers causes including the struggle to unionise workers in the Oakland/San Franciso areas during the late 60's and 70's. Yellow Power stood strong with Black Power and quite a few Asians (Mostly Japanese and Pinoy) worked and marched with The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, especially Yuri Kochiyama, a confidant of Malcolm X.TO us this may sound great. To the White power structure, this is a nightmare. Or so said the FBI COINTELPRO (Conterinsurgency Programme) division in Washington D.C. Look it up.When did the actual rift begin in the face of such socio-political unity? By the mid-70's many Asians seeking to enter the American White middle-class arena began to defensively agitate against Africans in order to curry favour with mainstram Whites butressed by the sort of popular media availble at the time. As I was told by several Asian elders at a press conference on American institutional racism, "We wanted to be accepted, and Black people were despised, so we despised you too."Lastly, this current wave of anti-Asian attitudes are directly a result of the very same conditions but in reverse. Africans pushing to enter the White mainstream adopt its bigotries, sense of beauty and sense of entitlement to step on people in order to be accepted.If you doubt what I'm saying, listen to NPR's African-American Roundtable, where the Black "experts" sound, act and vilify according to these paradigms. So it should really be of now surprise that AsianWeek would dare print something like this. If you are bucking to stand next to the White master in the plantation house, you will make a point of defining the world in his terms.My blog (Intelligentaindigena) recieves quite a bit of email from African and Asian readers asking why there is schism between the two groups, like the growing problem between Africans and Mexicans. Think about it, by keeping the two groups fighting with each other, they will continue to run business as usual.Make a choice. You can choose to be a sucker or you can be smart and take the time to investigate who benefits from this and other such behaviour. It isn't us, is it? - The Angryindian
Negrita wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 1:08pm
Quite offended by this character, not only as a part-Black transgendered individual, but also half-Asian. Wish this kind of ignorance becomes replenished with cultural wisdom and learned race intellect.
Bao wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 1:12pm
It's great that the Asian American community and it's leaders are decrying this idiot, his column, and Asianweek for printing it.But where were they when he printed his article on why he hated Asians? Why is his self hatred and hatred towards his own community less of an issue? Why was there no hubbub, no national press, no emails sent and no call to action?And the reactions to this whole ordeal are telling. What does it say about how divisive and racist this country is, that this is the most visible jumping point for Asians to talk about race and alliance? That the time we're most visible and heard is when we're apologizing for the deranged racist statements of some idiot?And here's a thought - why doesn't anyone EVER apologize to us for the ignorant people in their community?This is not trying to establish a hierarchy of oppression or an 'oppression olympics'. What i'm curious about is how discussions and notions of race have become standardized, how often Asians are forced into the defensive, how internally and externally we are considered white, how Asians are only allowed into discussions of race in comparision to other racial groups and not on our own terms.Understand that I am not pushing an anti Black agenda - in fact, I think allegiances across racial lines are historic and instrumental to our current day struggle. But I question the leadership and spokespeople of our communities, if we are most visible and active in times like this.
angry@Eng wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 2:07pm
To all of you who have expressed your racial experiences with other individuals, I'm really sorry those incidents have occurred. My experience goes back to when my sister and I were a lot younger. This was during the mid to late 70's when we were children. We were living in Alameda, CA. at the time when some of our neighbors walked by while my sister and I were playing in our front yard. Some of our neighbors gave us dirty looks and frowns at the sight of us not just because we are Asian, but because of the Vietnam War. Most of our neighbors were Caucasians and a lot of others had mixed feelings about the war. Those who were for and against it, and those who used the war as an excuse to dislike and hate Asian Americans living here in the U.S. Even after Vietnam ended, other people had racial tensions towards Asians because the war was about fighting against Communism and the VietCongs. And it didn't matter whether you were Chinese, Korean, Filippino, Japanese, Samoan or Vietnamese at the time. My neighbors across the street and next door, expressed their discontent towards us because they assumed we looked like the Vietnamese or VietCongs. Since my family and I are Chinese, they didn't care what the difference was. The only people who got along with my family and I were this White elderly couple who lived opposite next door to us. My parents were concerned about this, so we moved to Dublin, CA. And my new neighbors were better than the previous ones.During the 90's when I was Ken Eng's age, my college experience at Sac. State was pretty good. It was a great opportunity for my dorm roomates, neighbors and I to get to know each other. It was interesting to learn about other college students' backgrounds. I got along well with Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and Native American students. I even met James Olmos. Eventually, I transferred to S.F. State University and earned my B.A. degree.From Ken's experience, I have to agree with Andrew (Ken's former NYU classmate) explaining Ken has a mental condition of what his method of thinking is towards other people in general. From Neela's point on Eng's political views, he doesn't seem to be friendly nor sociable with other people. If he's the youngest writer to have his work published, he's the youngest recluse I've ever heard of and I'm also surprised he used to work for Marvel Comics. But unfortunately, he killed his career as a writer. Ken I'm sorry a number of bad moments made you think and feel negative towards other people in general but you need professional help.I'm very appalled AsianWeek neglected to check what Ken writes in his articles before they are printed. If AsianWeek wants to save themselves from the damage Ken has done, they should terminate his employment from them and have an editorial overview on what articles should or should not be printed. And overall, I'm very glad to see people talking about how we can improve on race relations and as a society.
KarenX wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 2:50pm
eng is an idiot...that much is clear. what isn't as clear is why asianweek publishes his juvenile rantings.i am an african-american woman, and i have no animosity towards asian people whatsoever. i am a poet, and i write about struggle and race and justice...i would be remiss not to include asian americans in all of that.racism continues to be a tool that serves only those who benefit from the status quo...you can call that "the ruling class" or "the white man" or whatever you like. but the fact remains that as long as people who have similar economic interests continue to allow themselves to be separatedd by meaningless cultural constructs, e.g., race, racism will continue to serve power, because it never served the people.
Sam-Canada wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 2:58pm
He is 22 YO and just a loud-mouth kid, as far as I'm concerned. Get his mom&pop to feed him only with the worst brand of instant noodle for 6 months. They should be fed the same thing, maybe for 3 months for having raised such a headache :o)Seriously, Samson Wong EIC of Asian Week doesn't read its own operation and editorial policy. Allowing someone to insult a whole race is not the best way to claim to have "a proven record on promoting cross-cultural diversity and inter-racial interaction. AsianWeek as an organization is proud of its deep and unparalleled history of working with, interacting with, and building connections between all the diverse groups that make up America".... unless Mr Wong uses a different dictionary.Shame on the kid and shame on those who allow him to be what he is: a racist.Sam
BBA wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 3:23pm
The hatred Eng has in his heart and mind will damage him more than it will those of us he hates. It will also keep him a prisoner and deprive him of enriching experiences which connect our humanities. Hate poisons the body and releases toxins which will weaken and disease body and mind. As an African American, I decided years ago to put hate out of my mind and body. As a result, I'm a better wife, mother, daughter, friend and teacher. As a teacher, like Eng the writer, I reach out to connect to others with subject matter. It would be irresponsible of me to espouse hateful untruths. There are no absolutes. I have never and will never judge my fellow Asians using Eng as the standard. I've taught my children accordingly. My children have all attended college and have been exposed to all the wonderful races of man and they have benefited from that exposure. There were a few jerks but mostly people are good. We can go anywhere in the U.S.,
Tan wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:24pm
The sad part is Sharpton spoke up against A/F racist t-shirt controversy.With asian growing influence in the world the last thing they need is to be called bigots and racists.I hope we handle this in a way that the next asian will think twice before destroying the good will asian have with others.I am deeply ashamed.
Anonymous wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:29pm
The sad part of this is, Eng and many of you who feel the need to make a case for and against Eng, can't see past your own skin colour.
Tan wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:36pm
I hope the readers are savy enough to knowposters like "Matthew Price" are whites masquerading as blacks.For those who don't know, you will never finds blacks on message boards unless it for blacks,an even there whites have infiltrated it so that blacks barely frequent those black sights.
Roni wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:36pm
Hi All:There are only two kinds of people in the world - those that try to do good and those that are narrow minded and hateful.Most people have experienced some form of racism, discrmmination and/or bias; whether its color, age, gender, religion, sexual preference or the just the plain ole attitude of: "I dont' like you and doesn't matter why."I have to wonder reading the article if Eng's "experiences" are even reality. Reading them gives me the sense of some sort of experience with lots of embellishments.However, if Eng hates and has a real reason for it; I am personally sorry that he had to go through that; but so what - we all have. Grow up. Learn that all one group of people are not bad.What I suggest we all do is instead of worrying and whinning and pointing out differences.. look at the things that we have in common.We all want love, happiness and good lives for our families and those that we care about. Most of us want a peaceful exsitence and to get along with others. People are not all that different.Might I suggest that we take a new approach and treat people the way we would want to be treated - and in turn even if they dont' like us; respect isn't a bad consolation prize.It is wrong to hate; it is wrong to hurt someone else - especially when they have done nothing other than exist.There are plenty people to be angry with for leading us down a path of destruction - I won't blame my neighbor if he/or she is not the guilty one.Are there some injustices - absolutely, are there people being treated unfairly, yes - but look at who is really doing it.Eng is just one little person in a big old world. The HUMAN RACE needs to pull together in fairness and love - and we won't have these kind of issues.
Anon wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:55pm
Hey Kenneth Eng, next time you write some racist stuff, PUT YOUR FULL NAME ON IT!There are other Kenneth Eng's in this country and they're getting hate mail and they have no idea why!
Jonathan wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 4:58pm
Re)#3 The slavery thing:Rabia, I'm the guy formally known as anonymous, whose comments you responded to.I must say that if you have never met a Black person who continues to blame their plight on slavery, may I suggest you just are not looking?Have you read some of the comments from Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson? Are you aware of the Reparations movement that still lives among the worst of the Poverty Pimps hoping to make a buck from slavery even today? Nope, you are not looking very hard if you believe that.You talk about systematic oppression holding back Black success in America, but just as I mentioned, nobody wants to discuss the fact that nobody holds back or oppresses Black people more than BLACK PEOPLE.The desire to point fingers in other directions rather than looking at ourselves is our very worst enemy. Personally, I dont care at this point about how others are oppressing us, because it pales in comparison to how we oppress ourselves.I am a successful Black man, because I chose to be so, in spite of any obstacles, real or imagined. I am not the brightest bulb, so if I can make it, I dare say that anyone willing to work hard has as good a chance as I did.I repeat that Eng is a young man, and as such, foolish, as are many young people in a sense. I ask people to stop looking at the young man's character, as he will learn or he wont, but to spend a little more time taking about how much truth can be applied to what he says, and why.Only then, will their be a serious and productive discussion of the matter. The rest is just kneejerk political correctness.
Ted Fang wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 5:23pm
Kenneth is a furry. You'resupposed to make fun of furries.
26 Year Old As... wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 5:33pm
If you want to pick on AsianWeek for publishing Kenneth Eng's piece, then you have to go after nearly all of our mainstream media outlets for blatantly and incessantly disparaging the Asian male. FOX, NBC, CBS, LATIMES, WSJ just to name a small sample. All guilty of the same thing.
val wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 5:39pm
A good writer who is trying to be effective would be a little more sensitive who is the audience. Contrary to how Mr. Eng gave his reasonings for hating blacks are ,obviously faulty, if Mr. Eng wanted to give the Asian community reasons to hate blacks, he should not have just forced all his life experience invloving blacks in an article (poorly written) to do so. If Eng was a good he would have considered all the factors. I can understand if Eng had several bad experience with blacks, but how is how he feel any different from Hilter because both of them based their hatred for an entire race based on experience. Another thing Eng is failing to realize is that countless African Americans who have Asian in their blood. So the comment about how we did not fight against slavery sooner, well i think it is safe to say that we may have got our pacifistness from the Asians. Mr. Eng also says how in the movies that blacks are known for doing whatever to Asians. But if you do your research the writer, Ross LaManna, and the director, Jim Kouf of Rush Hour were both non African American. So his argument about how black Asian relationships are being portrayed. What Eng needs to do is hate white people instead because they are the ones producing those types of movies. In conclusion, one can come to the realiztion that Eng know anything about the African Americans of today are in the past. Eng damn sure do not know anything about writing either.
Pat Sullivan wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 8:19pm
Yes, Tan, Black people can not only read message boards, we can use them. I agree that Matthew Price is probably not Black, but I am.So this message is for Jonathan: You clearly have issues with what is happening in the Black community, as do I. We have no clear direction, no reliable leadership and our moral compass has been spinning out of control for quite some time. But none of that was in this guys article. You are arguing in the wrong venue. Read what he wrote again, and then decide if you think that you both are talking about the same issues.We were enslaved for three hundred years and then suffered American Apartheid for another hundred. It has only been 41 years since the Civil Rights Amendment. Four hundred years is a long time to get over. How long should it take? Who decides the time frame? Who benefits from the argument that we should all move on? I agree that we can't let it hold us back, but don't tell me that 41 years is enough time. We live in the age of tecnological innovation and we are dazzled by microwaves and nanoseconds. Social change and evolution takes much longer. When Elle Wesiel was attacked in San Francisco a few weeks ago, he said that the experience instantly took him back to the concentration camps in Germany. That was over fifty years ago and although the treatment of Jews in many places in the world before and since has not improved (Mel Gibson) he still felt that same horrific fear. His experience is an example of the psychological and physiological impact of racism.Those of you that feel that the enslaved are wallowing in their plight need to read Kennith Eng's article again. We are not wallowing. We are still there.
Raj wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 8:24pm
Had he not written an article about how whites hate asians, his article would have been published in VDare. After all, Michelle Malkin regularly baits blacks and fellow Asians and gets away with it!!
Monsieur de la... wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 9:54pm
I don’t accept this fake statement and apology posted on AsianWeek.com. At best, it is a nice attempt at damage control. It was probably written the moment the article received a green light. I don’t believe that Kenneth Eng’s article went to publication totally unnoticed. Then, who is running the shop? The editorial desk action and/or inaction in this matter amount to screaming fire in a very crowded theatre. Respondeat superior obliged, Eng took the fall, and he was only terminated. Florence Fang, James Fang and Ted Fang silence and invisibility speak volume. May be they think that everything will be ok if Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda names are mentioned in the statement. Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda are regular receipients of checks from Florence Fang, but can they help with this? Will they ask the hard questions? Will they do their best not to offend a donor? They will posture for their financial donors and their core voters at the expense of the under-represented. Indeed all politic is local, but this is a national outrage to Africans, member of the African Diaspora and African Americans everywhere. Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda do not patronize Asians stores on a daily basis in African American communities throughout the nation, the aforementioned do. Now that the "voice of the Asian American community" has been heard, it is up to us, the people who interact with Asians and Asian American business owners that must rethink who we do business with and the nature of our relationship.
vocal patriot wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 10:08pm
this piece contains some of the most venomous and vile language I've ever seen in public print. Mr. Eng does not impress me with his literary skills either.That being said, perhaps we could try to see his hidden points? no..I'm not entertaining blanket forgiveness for hate speech. I am saying however, that it came from somewhere, we need to try to find out from where. I saw briefly some his other "works" (needless to say, I saw a lot of anger) it was pure frustration. he is of course wrong, but how incorrect was he? he seems to only use truth where it does most harm. in his opening line: "...why we should discriminate against blacks.." for example, he uses the word dicriminate as a hateful tool to dig at blacks. but what he doesn't seem to understand is that that word has been so over used as to make it not mean anything anymore. discrimination is not an inherently evil term, but use of discrimination without righteous cause is harmful to both parties. albeit one more immediatly than the other, but both equally none-the-less.well to make this just a bit longer, I think people need to get past the shock of what is said for the shock value and earnestly work together on what causes it in the first place. in short, every black and every asian (at least in Mr. Engs neighborhood) needs to take upon themselves the task to talk and not be afraid of words either those heard or those said. the "N" word must be embraced. the union jack should fly as a reminder of what we've outgrown...and we need to outgrow it.
Janet Chang wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 10:19pm
To Anonymous at February 27, 2007 09:57 AM: The video clearly shoes Latasha Harlins viciously beating up Du. Blame should be put on the both sides.
Anonymous wrote on Wed, 02/28/2007 - 11:28pm
Im not saying that Miss Harlins was right, but to shoot the girl in the back when she was walking off is the only event I disagree with. The store owner got off scott free. Thats a little extreme. That was a while ago, since then many things have changed. Ive been to some Korean hair salons and nail shops in the black nieghborhood that are just as ghetto as their customers and they fit right in. It reminds me of that movie "HAIRSHOW. Throughout my travel ive noticed young Koreans adore Black American culture from music to clothes, to swag and style. The Korean pop star "Rain" is a replica of Usher and Omarion. To all the Koreans that are married to Black American, usually the ones married to Military Personnel, I wonder how these events affect their live. Well most I know move to Hawaii to stay away from all the drama that we speak of. Most Asian I know have the same likes as blacks. I think the true breakdown is the media.
Anonymous wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 6:10am
There was video of the beating of that old grandma, Du, and her angry and inappropriate response of shooting Harlins.If I remember correctly, the LA media constantly played the last part over and over again. It did seem that the LA and national media completely relished whipping up black anger at all Korean store owners in general. Maybe it was done to deflect anger away from whites due to the Rodney King beating.Maybe or maybe not it was intended to pit minorities against each other, but look at the way it was handled, including forming a line of barriers and police to protect the white and richer neighborhoods while letting the riot vent its steam and burn out in the poorer and Korean neighborhoods.
Jonathan wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 6:22am
Pat, I think we are indeed talking about the same issue. How long should it take? I don’t think it should take very long, and I will explain why.When I was growing up, I went to school with some of the first Vietnam and Laos refugees to enter America. I watched these people come to this country with practically nothing, and contrary to popular belief- not much in the form of government assistance, proceed to embrace American ideals and cultural norms with very little complaint or excuses making.I saw children who showed up the first year speaking little to no English, speak it fluently by year- two. I saw families pool their resources to open small businesses and work their butts off to become independent and instill their work ethic in their children. These people quietly succeeded through the sweat of their own labor, their children became school valedictorians, but most importantly, they became outstanding citizens.I must ask in comparison just what is it that our people are waiting for? I would argue that if you ask your average black youth today just what does their country have to do to allow them to break free of the stigma of oppression; you would be waiting some time for a thoughtful answer. At some point, one must exhale and move on, and we just won’t do it, for want of some kind of payback or acknowledgment of our history. This is a learned and conditioned behavior. Our children are taught by their parents (or lack of same) to consider themselves victims, instead of being blessed with the wonderful opportunity that American citizenship provides.We destroy our opportunities through our ridiculously high rate of unwed births, which almost insure a life at the poverty level, and then turn around and blame America for its supposed oppression. We allow our youth to identify with the Rap-Gang-Thug-Drug culture, our kids memorizing those destructive lyrics and disrespect of women and holding up former drug dealers as role models. (Snoop Dog, JayZ) I have listened to teachers suggest that the troubles of Black youth are the fault of the lack of programs giving them something to do after school. My reply was “How about homework?”Our people are blessed with so much talent, so much creativity, it is that much more depressing to see how little our talents are used towards moving us forward and into the mainstream of society. I must argue that social change should not take so long if one is motivated towards success. My career has allowed me to speak to school children at their Career Day events (I work for Microsoft), and what I often take away from these events is that Black Children appear to be falling further behind, rather than moving ahead; American-born children who refuse to use proper grammar and diction, and believe that success is measured by the size of the rims on your Accolade.I did re-read Eng’s rantings at your suggestion, but my opinion is unchanged. Eng clumsily exposed some ugly truths about Black culture. He did it in a horribly hap-hazard way, and exposed his ignorance in a way that will undoubtedly cause him ongoing grief. My position however, is that he spoke truth in his article, that we are taking too long as a people to overcome our historical limitations. The time is long past for us to stop looking at others to solve problems that are located in our homes absent the influence of the oppression suffered by proceeding generations.We have a choice to make, we can begin a legacy of success by refusing to accept the stigma of slavery as an indicator of our abilities, and teach our children that opportunity is the right of every American, but not a promise of success for any American without a commitment to personal excellence. I apologize for the negativity of my position, and the verbosity of my response, and look forward to your answer to the question: “How long should it take?”
Black Thought wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 10:11am
Johnathan there are problems in all nationalities communities.
Jonathan wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 10:30am
Quite true, Black Thought. There are problems in every community. However, it is our community which is has gained an infamy over these issues. Nothing I wrote should be taken to suggest that other communities do not suffer to some degree the same that ails Black America.It is only that for us, these problems have become our expected destiny, and no longer seen as abhorent or abnormal. We expect these problems in the Black community, and no longer question why they occur. I dare say that these problems are growing in other communities; maybe even at a greater rate than in our own.Honestly? I do not care. Again, why point our fingers outward, when there is so much more going on in the other direction? It is assumed that a quarter of young Black men will spend some time in prison. This is now just taken for granted. I find this appaling. Others see it only as "the way we behave".No communities is perfect, but we can learn a lesson from our Asian brothers. They suffer from the assumption that they will excel, where we suffer from the assumption that we will not.I doubt there are many NY cabbies who will fail to stop for an Asian man for fear he will overwhelm the driver with his math skills. (excuse the blatant stereotype for effect)I must get back to work.Cheers.
Anonymous wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 10:42am
If you look at a study of stats, their are roughly 670,000 black men in Jail- 640,000 in college. They blow that Jail thing way out of porportian. Society and the media places these images on minorities. Asian Gangs are on a rise in the west coast and they are for real. Deadly, in the long beach area and San Francisco areas. Its a subject that will never be spoken of. Black achievements in America has always been overlooked. Ive read the Whos Who list and Rhode Scholars of tommorrow. You will be amazed at how many of them are black. Its the black communities fault for not highlighting these acheivements over the redundant junk TV on BET.
Daniel wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 11:56am
I praise of Jonathan:Bravissimo! I applaud your wise perspective on things. Your reasoning, intelligence, and thoughtfulness are prized qualities that I look for in the people that represent me in government (i.e., make decisions that have significant impact on our lives) and in the people that I discourse with in my free time (i.e., have significant impacts on the way I think).I personally believe in speaking in terms of culture. I love to learn of others cultures and their cultural values. This learning increases the beauty of the world as I learn to see things from other perspectives and occasionally apply some part of this learning to my own life. I generally avoid using racial/racist terms like "black", "white", etc. because I find these terms divisive. While I am "Euro-American" with a rather pale complexion, I am a minority in my predominantly Creole speaking town in a predominantly Spanish speaking county.While I gladly accept the calls from the opinion pollsters, they find me to be an exceptionally inadequate source of data as I consistently refuse to be categorized or fit into superficial multiple choice answers. In the last week, two such calls ended after I couldn't satisfactorily get beyond the first question, "Which group do most identify with?". I identify with them all to some extent and reject the divisiveness of the question.I also have seen the extraordinary capacity for success of many immigrants as depicted by one large family of political refugees from Zaire. The father, a physician in Zaire, supported his wife, four children, and two nephews, while attaining a nursing degree (RN) here in the states. One of his nephews would have been valedictorian of his high school class had his overachieving little brother not earned the honor at age 16 while simultaneously taking on his first year of college.How long should it take?...Our species has an incredible capacity to adapt to our environment and to adapt our environment to our wishes. While there are, usually minor, genetic differences between individuals, it is more how we define success and the price we are willing to pay in terms of opportunity costs and hard work that determines achievement.Given that this is a blog/forum about Eng and his article, I prefer to focus on positives. If Eng’s negative rants stirred the pot and lead to intelligent insights and insightful solutions, then some good may come from it in spite of his intentions to the contrary. The question to me is whether the benefits outweigh the costs.Divisiveness is an essential Darwinistic part of our animal instincts. It’s opposite, inclusiveness, is also a Darwinistic instinct that is usually reserved for people close to us – our tribe. Universal Inclusiveness is a goal that we can strive to attain based on the plentitude of opportunity that we have access to in this country. Like equality, it is unattainable. But the journey itself yields valuable dividends even if there is no finite end.
Jonathan wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 5:40pm
Gee Daniel, thanks.But dont hold your breath about me becoming a politician though. My only gifts, are parents who cared enough to have very high expectations of me. I am not so bright, but I am aware of the benefits of hard work. Any credit for the positions I hold go to those who raised me. I will pass your 'Bravissimo' on to my parents.
Anonymous wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 7:51pm
I saw the video, Miss Harlins hit the Korean lady a few time, but she didnt beat the lady up the way you guys are describing it. Like I said, Miss Harlins actions were not right, they were wrong and like Janet said both communities need to address this issue. Just in this case murder of the 15 year old girl was not justifiable. Miss Harlins actions were wrong, ver wrong, but like Janet said both of theirs were. Jonathan, I agree with some of the things you say, but I also think you wouldve agreed with Ward Connerly on some of his issues as well. Do you have anything to say positive about your people?
Jonathan wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 8:26pm
There are many things that I agree with Ward Connelly on, if not his style of delivery. As for positive things about my people, I did mention some, but to be more clear, part of my frustration comes from the fact that we as a people are so talented to begin with.I believe that we can do anything we choose to do, yet we choose to do not even enough to raise our image and standing within our own communities.I believe there are no limits to how far we can go, but we need to stop waiting for someone else to give us the green light, get off our asses and make it happen.I hope that clears it up for ya.
franky wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 9:57pm
Shaquille Ching Chong , I read your post about Latinos calling you chinito. Just for the record that just means Chinese. When you put -ito on the end it usually is an affectionate term. I don't think you should regard that as racist the way blacks making fun of your eyes is.
Anonymous wrote on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 11:19pm
When you look up Uncle Tom, it says Ward Connelly. He is a Hippocrite, killing programs he benefitted from. If you want to see positive blacks you have to go beyond Pop Culture. If you want to see positive images of blacks cut off MTV. Professor Oglethorpe, Dean of Harvard Law School and Cornell West are always on PBS, to Harvard grades, Tavis Smiley, Tony Brown, Oprah, Obama and even Condoleeza Rice. I hate Clarence Thomas, but I admire his acheivements, but at the same time I wonder How he got into the University Of Georgia in the 60s. To the HBCUs, Ill give a big up to them as well. You ignore the intellectual black community in your posts. Yes we have our problems, but like Black Thought said, every race does. Eng was a Asian problem, so the Asian Leaders denounced him and gave praise to a lot of African American Leaders they felt made life better for all Minorities in America. The same way some black leaders denounced Hot 97 tsunami song. Asians on this site posted that American media portrays Asian men as unmasculine and weak, and Asian women as sex toys, I feel their paine. This is the same media that constantly push the negative stereotypes towards blacks. So is it all our fault. Analyze some of the things you say. Yes theres an iota of truth to stereotypes concerning the various human races, but how far outside the box are you willing to explore? I think you forgot some of your history. Obviousley, you are a republican and that is fine, but its the Republicans that sell out that do more harm than good, Allen Keyes for example. Collin Powell is a Republican and is well respected in the Black Community. Some one mentioned Michelle Maulkin, well I will not comment on her. For you to sit here and justify some of the coments ENG said makes me wonder.
Jonathan wrote on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 7:03am
First, I never take seriously anyone still using the invective "Uncle Tom", to describe someone that you dont agree with. To say that you hate another human being, because of disagreement, is to put yourself down and hold yourself back.It is a suggestion that you feel that there is no one that you can learn from, that your opinions are frozen. You can claim disagreement, or even frustration with the views of another, but when you take it to the level of claiming hatred for someone, you lose credibility and hurt your own case. You must understand Anonymous, that we Blacks are first INDIVIDUALS, and entitled to form our own opinions, views and positions outside of an official 'BLACK-APPROVED' list of what is right and what is that of an 'Uncle Tom'.I reject your claim that I ignore the so-called intellectual black community, and more so, would encourage you to look beyond the popular, pre-approved list of those who claim to speak for Black people, and into those holding opposing positions as well. I have not forgotten my history, indeed I know it well.I would encourage you not to simply attack those whose views you hold in opposition to your own, but to take time to discover if there is something to be learned from others. Leave your mind open.Finally, resist the urge to classify me into a group based on my expressed opinions. I am not a Republican, nor am I a Democrat. I find no comfort in having my views dictated to me by any group. What I am, is an individual, free to take, share and learn from anyone.At first glance, I am probably older than you, and not accustomed to being lectured, especially before I have had my morning coffee, but I do love a good debate, and if we can leave to a discussion of ideas, I would be pleased to address some of the other points in your response.
Anonymous wrote on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 6:07pm
This is an Asian site, so we may have to take this debate some where else. Like Malcalm X said, there are field negores and house negroes. Did you here that famous speech? If so, then you know the contrast between the 2. There are modern day house negroes in 2007 and Ward connelly and Clarence Thomas are 2 of them. Gangsta Rappers are no better. This is just my opinion. Like you, I believe in the first amendment and have formed my own personal opinions on various subjects. It is also my right to execute my opinions as it is yours and even Kenneth Eng. I wouldve used better discretion, but thats just me. Maybe if Mr Eng had a nice black gentlemen such as yourself to conversate with his views on blacks would change. Since you 2 almost sound identical maybe you would be that one black exception. If You, Kenneth Eng and Michelle Maulkin Hosted the O, Rielly factor on thursdays, Blacks nor Asians would have any positive press. Im not claiming to be right nor wrong, this is just the vibe I get from you

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