NAPABA Offended by Fox News Segment in Chinatown
For Immediate Release
Oct. 12, 2016
For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555
The leaders of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) were offended by the recent segment aired by the O’Reilly Factor where Jesse Watters visited New York City’s Chinatown and perpetuated offensive stereotypes about the Asian Pacific American community and treated Chinatown residents with rudeness and contempt.
“The use of racist stereotypes is irresponsible and perpetuates prejudice and bias,” said NAPABA President Jin Hwang. “As lawyers, we recognize the harmful impacts that racist stereotypes and bias can have on immigrants and limited English proficient communities. As Asian Pacific Americans, we have experienced firsthand the negative impacts of stereotyping, and we have witnessed the harms that occur when immigrants who speak only limited English are treated as less worthy than others of societal respect and kindness.
“We are truly appalled that Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, and Jesse Watters continue to defend their ill-advised attempt at humor. We hope that they will recognize that a skit perpetuating offensive stereotypes and mistreating immigrants is neither funny nor newsworthy. Fox News and all of the individuals involved must publicly apologize for their actions.
“The segment underscores the need for Asian Pacific American voices to be included in all industries.”
NAPABA encourages its members to join the over 21,000 people who have signed a national petition calling for an apology.
NAPABA will continue to engage with the coalition of Asian Pacific American groups working to demand appropriate responses from Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, and Jesse Watters.
Background:
- NBCNews.com Asian America: Civil Rights Groups Criticize Fox News for ‘Racist and Offensive’ Chinatown Segment
- Reappropriate: Updates on Coalition Efforts
For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of approximately 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.
NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.
To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).