Press Release: Affinity Bar Associations Join APA Community Expressing Disappointment in Fox News Segment
For Immediate Release
Nov. 18, 2016
For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555
WASHINGTON — Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the National Bar Association (NBA), the National LGBT Bar Association (National LGBT Bar), and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) joined a national coalition of organizations expressing their indignation in the segment, “Watters’ World: Chinatown Edition,” and deep dissatisfaction in public statements that dismiss community concerns over the offensive nature of the segment.
In October, Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor aired “Watters’ World: Chinatown Edition,” which featured Jesse Watters speaking with residents of New York City’s Chinatown — including some who do not appear to be native English speakers — with questions, many of which were only nominally related to the Presidential election and instead were based on racial and ethnic stereotypes.
“We found this segment to be highly offensive for its irresponsible use of these stereotypes and for its pejorative mischaracterization of Chinatown residents, immigrants, and limited English proficient communities,” said the presidents of the bar associations in a letter to Fox News.
“We join a coalition of Asian Pacific American organizations who call on Fox News to issue a written formal apology. We also encourage Fox News to take steps to increase understanding of implicit bias and to increase workforce diversity and inclusion,” said the presidents in their message.
HNBA Contact: Daniel Herrera: (202) 930-6805; [email protected]
NAPABA Contact: Brett Schuster: (202) 775-9555; [email protected]
NBA Contact: Lonita Baker: (502) 210-7062; [email protected]
NNABA Contact: Jennifer Weddle: (303) 572-6565; [email protected]
LGBT Bar Contact: Laura Hoch: (202)-637-7661; [email protected]
The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 50,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, and law students in the United States and its territories. From the days of its founding three decades ago, the HNBA has acted as a force for positive change within the legal profession. It does so by encouraging Latino students to choose a career in the law and by prompting their advancement within the profession once they graduate and start practicing. Through a combination of issue advocacy, programmatic activities, networking events and educational conferences, the HNBA has helped generations of lawyers succeed.
NAPABA is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 75 national, state, and local 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 engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
Founded in 1925, the NBA is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of minority attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 60,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. The organization seeks to advance the science of jurisprudence, preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.
Founded in 1973, the NNABA serves as the national association for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. NNABA strives for justice and effective legal representation for all American indigenous peoples; fosters the development of Native American lawyers and judges; and addresses social, cultural and legal issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.
Organizational Statement | NAPABA Offended by Fox News Segment in Chinatown – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
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).
Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Free Legal Clinics Now Moved to Asian Americans for Equality in Chinatown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2016
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director (212) 332-2478
Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Free Legal Clinics Now Moved to Asian Americans for Equality in Chinatown
NEW YORK – July 21, 2016 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that it is continuing its pro bono legal clinic in partnership with Asian Americans for Equality (“AAFE”) at 111 Division Street. Launched in December 2015, AABANY’s legal clinics have served members of the Chinatown community free of charge on a variety of legal issues, including housing and immigration.
The pro bono legal clinic takes place on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Appointments are currently walk-in only at AAFE’s 111 Division Street location. Those seeking legal assistance should bring all documents pertaining to their legal issues. The next pro bono legal clinic takes place on August 10, 2016.
“AAFE has a four decade history of serving the Asian American community and enriching the lives of those in need. AABANY’s pro bono clinic is relatively new, and we look forward to a productive relationship with AAFE serving the community by providing access to free legal services,” states Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY. “We also thank the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for previously hosting this monthly clinic.”
AAFE’s Director of Programs, Flora Ferng, says, “AAFE is excited about this new partnership with AABANY because it will allow us to continue to serve the communities and its residents in a meaningful way.”
For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332- 2478, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].
A translation of this press release in Traditional Chinese can be found here. A translation of this press release in Simplified Chinese can be found here.
The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community. Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole. AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those who are in need. Founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York’s preeminent housing, social service and community development organizations. AAFE is committed to preserving affordable housing throughout New York and to providing new opportunities for the city’s diverse immigrant communities. Its research, advocacy and grassroots organizing initiatives help to shape government policy and to effect positive change. At its heart, AAFE embodies the hopes and dreams of New York’s many vibrant immigrant communities, and helps turn those dreams into reality.
Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org
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