The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/13/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Peter Strong At Tuesday's discussion, attendees were asked how much - if at all - they were offended by comments made by Rosie O'Donnell on ABC's "The View."

A discussion regarding a comment seen by many as being racist, made by talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, was hosted by the Asian Pacific American Student Union and the Asian and Pacific Cultural Center on Monday evening.

The issue centers around a brief impression which O'Donnell made on ABC's "The View," making a reference to Danny DeVito's earlier show appearance in which he was allegedly intoxicated. O'Donell said DeVito's appearance had made headlines around the world, "even in China," closing the remark by imitating the Chinese language.

Students, faculty and a few community members were present for this open forum.

"Does anybody know about the Rosie incident?" said Aaron Truong, co-president of the APASU. A clip of the show was shown and the audience was asked to put themselves into one of five categories, based on how much they were offended by the comment.

One attendee thought the joke could have been done more tastefully, others didn't find it offensive because the comment didn't pertain to their racial group, while others were offended.

"I've experienced people coming up to me doing that 'chin chong' routine to my face," said Nam Le, treasurer of APASU.

"This still happens, and it really strikes a nerve," said Janet Nishihara, an adviser for APASU.

A few people from the audience shared personal stories of being marginalized because they were Asian-American.

"What other messages are being sent out by this?" Truong said.

The incident was compared to the racially charged outburst made by actor and comedian Michael Richards at a Los Angeles comedy club in November 2006.

An audience member said the slur used by Richards is widely known to be wrong because political leaders in the black community have spoken up against the negative stereotypes associated with the word.

"I don't hear 'ching chong' and think that it's inappropriate right away, and I think it's because there are no leaders standing up and saying that this is wrong," he said.

Continued...

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