Not-so Comic Stereotypes

To the editors:

In as school that is as "enlightened" as Harvard claims to be, it is deeply disturbing that its main student newspaper would publish racially demeaning and ignorant pieces on a regular basis. Any article that portrays Asian-Americans as slanty-eyed, socially inept caricatures would immediately receive a barrage of protests. Despite its derogatory stereotypes, "The Misanthropic Mister Chu" has run this entire semester without much controversy. The student body has mistakenly dismissed it as "harmless," because it appears as a comic strip.

What students must realize is that comic strips can be as--if not more--effective at spreading intolerance as a racist article. Comic strips are easily read and this gives them an opportunity to convey their (negative) message. Furthermore, comic strips rarely incite the intellectual analysis and discussion necessary to combat the racist imagery --the audience digests the stereotypes almost unconsciously. Most of all, comic strips present visual symbols that exert strong influence over public perception of minorities. It stands for the intolerance and dehumanization Asian-Americans have faced and continue to face in this great nation.

In light of today's heightened hysteria and xenophopia--such as the racial profiling in the Wen Ho Lee case or politicians' demagoging of China --the consequences of stereotyping can be disastrous. While hate crimes in the U.S. are decreasing as a whole, violence against Asian-Americans are on the rise. As a leader of intellectual discourse and reason, Harvard has the duty to represent the best of this nation's interests. A school newspaper that continues to feature a racist comic strip clearly accepts racial intolerance. Should this really be our message?

Lei Juliet Wei '01

April 14, 2000