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(Washington,
DC) – The Korean American Coalition, Washington
DC Chapter (KAC-DC) a nonprofit service, education,
and advocacy organization that facilitates the Korean
American community’s participation in civic, legislative,
and community affairs, denounces the image and subsequent
article entitled “Gay or Asian?” by Whitney
McNally in Details Magazine. This portrayal of all Asian
and Pacific American Males (APA) as homosexuals is not
only poor judgment but also poor journalism. This article
is a gross mischaracterization of Asian males.
KAC-DC
demands Details issue a formal apology to the APA Community
as well as demands that Fairchild Communications dismiss
Whitney McNally and Daniel Peres, Editor-in-Chief from
the magazine and others who should be held responsible
for this negligence.
The
image of an “Asian” male and following caption
in the article is insulting to the greater APA community,
and it does not preach tolerance or diversity, which
are the founding principles of the United States. Details
and Whitney McNally are examples of ignorance and hatefulness
to not only the APA community but also, the gay and
homosexual community. Furthermore, the use of Asian
food and cultural traditions as a method to explain
ones sexual preference is demeaning and shameful. Whitney
McNally’s piece further exacerbates the discrimination
towards Asians and homosexuals.
“Whereas
the article may have been soliciting a humorous response,
humor can be done without insulting a community that
has long fought stereotyping and racial discrimination.
This shows shear arrogance and a lack of intelligence
of Details Magazine,” said Ms. Gie Kim, Executive
Vice-President of KAC-DC. “The magazine has done
itself a great disservice. Furthermore, how does this
clear editorial review and who is in charge at Details
to let this pass as journalism? In the age of Jayson
Blair and Stephen Glass it appears that the lack journalistic
integrity has reached Details Magazine and its parent
company Fairchild Communications.”
KAC condemns this column and Details for issuing such
a condescending product with a lack of insight and thoughtfulness
to the community at large. KAC aligns itself with those
who fight for tolerance and justice for all ethnic and
minority communities across the United States. Moreover,
further offenses and pedestrian simplifications about
our community and others will not be accepted or tolerated.
KAC-DC will send a letter to Fairchild Communications,
Details Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Peres and Whitney McNally
expressing its denunciation of this article. Copies
of the letters can be found at http://www.kacdc.org.
KAC-DC urges concerned individuals to write letters
to Details condemning the issue and demand an apology
along with a recall of issue and dismissal of Whitney
McNally. KAC is also supporting a letter writing campaign
spearheaded by Asian Media Watchdog For more information,
go to www.asianmediawatchdog.com or call their headquarters
at 212-560-5683.
KAC
was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, California, as a
nonprofit service, education, and advocacy organization
that facilitates the Korean American community’s
participation in civic, legislative, and community affairs.
Today, KAC has grown into a national organization with
membership chapters in several cities along the West
Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, and affiliate organizations
on the East Coast. KAC provides a variety of direct
and indirect services to the fast growing Korean American
communities across the nation.
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