Two weeks ago, Abercrombie and Fitch pulled a line of men's graphic t-shirts that depict derogatory Asian American images from their shelves. One of the shirts is called the "Wong Brothers Laundry," depicts the slogan, "Two Wongs Can Make it White," and caricatures of Asian men in triangle hats and squinty eyes. This shirt makes fun of the humiliation that Asian male immigrants endured in the late 1880s when few other jobs were available to them due to racism. It carries with it the same pain as images of the "happy black slave."
It is unacceptable, especially for a mainstream "American" clothing company, to propagate stereotypes that reach back hundreds of years. Abercrombie's audacity to produce and sell these racist T-shirts perpetuates the notion that stereotyping is fashionable and acceptable. The caricatures of Chinese laundrymen on the Wong Brothers T-shirt belittles and commodifies the history of the Asian American community, which is a footnoted history which most Americans do not know.
We cannot stand by and "laugh this off," when these same stereotypes on the shirts are the rationale behind a spray painted swastika or hate crime murder. For those who think that the Civil Rights Movement got rid of discrimination, we just have to look at the second tragedy of the backlash against Arab Americans after the Sept. 11 attack.
The society into which we step after graduation continues to be mired in discriminatory attitudes although racism is now more covert and festers under political correctness. Without a good understanding and knowledge of Asian-American history from textbooks or classes, many Americans encounter Asian-American culture through the images that mainstream companies carelessly spread.
Similar to stereotypical images of the Japanese during World War II, the images on the Abercrombie T-shirts encourage a misunderstanding of Asian Americans. These attitudes will continue to exist and perpetuate unless we can better prepare ourselves to examine and create a diverse community.
My experience at Tufts has allowed me to explore and critically think about community building. The recent victory of the Asian-American Curriculum Transformation (AACT) project in establishing a tenure-track position in Asian American literature in the English department demonstrates Tufts' first steps in promoting the importance of academic diversity as well as diversity in student life. Many colleges have not been able to successfully establish Asian-American studies programs, so I must commend Tufts for including the student initiative into the vision of Tufts and planting this seed.
When I came to Tufts from Missouri, I remember being shocked at the unfamiliar experience of being around so many Asian students. Growing up, the only place I saw Asians my own age were 20 other students at school - and in the mirror.
I had never seen a true reflection of myself until I had the opportunity to take Asian-American Issues (AS 91) taught by Professor Jean Wu. The Asian-American contributions and history I learned made me realize that there was a gaping hole in my education and identity. The most profound aspect of the class, however, was that while we were studying about Asian Americans, we were actually looking at the intersections of Asian, Latina/o, African, White, and Native Americans who all significantly shaped America. The lack of information about these groups does these pioneers a grave injustice and keeps students misinformed about their American heritage.
This year, AACT, with the help of a coalition of allies and 1,300 signatures from students and faculty, has demonstrated that Asian-American studies is not just an "identity search" for only Asian Americans, but that it is a concern and priority for students of all backgrounds and interests. Tufts must continue to broaden curriculum to reflect the experiences of its diverse student body; as individuals we can start to educate and be sensitive to each other every day by stopping ignorance when we see it in our friends, neighbors, and communities.
As a straight ally to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) community, I have experienced the power of challenging expectations to advocate for a group in which I have no membership. As some of the flyers on campus have said, "Who will be left to defend you if you don't defend others?" Discrimination does not only affect certain populations, it affects all of us.
I encourage the Tufts community to lead by example by promoting diversity and ethnic American studies, to exemplify the values and education that attracted us here in the first place.
I believe that silence is the absence of freedom. Education is empowerment. I would like to thank the students that have worked side by side with me on AACT. Your passion, support, and commitment to make Tufts an even better place has enriched my college experience; and I leave with renewed hope and optimism for the future of Tufts and America.
Felicia Chao is a senior graduating with a degree in Psychology. If you would like to find out more information on the Abercrombie & Fitch effort, please go to www.boycottaf.com.<$>
@s:Chao discusses diversity
