Choosing the right word
Two letters have appeared in the Taipei Times that were critical of its supposedly racist reporting (Letters, April 4, page 8). Both letters referred to an Inside Box headline on Mar. 26, "Colored Oscars," which, according to J. S. Brown, "no self-respecting English-language newspaper [except one that openly promotes racism] would permit." The second writer, N. D. James, reacted to the same headline by asking: "What type of garbage, stupidity, ignorance and racist filth is this?" James went on to say that "to use an outdated, unacceptable and derogatory term is stupid."
Although the Taipei Times is an English-language newspaper, I think the editors can be forgiven for not knowing the current euphemism in the US for "black people or people of African descent/heritage" -- the ridiculously convoluted term James himself uses. Can you imagine the awkward newspaper headline: "People of African descent/heritage Oscars?"
No one in the black community in the US has yet come up with a term acceptable to everyone. We've already seen plenty of attempts: "colored person," "person of color," "Afro-American," "African-American," "black" and possibly others. Even the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has avoided changing this "outdated, unacceptable and derogatory term" to something better, so how can we accuse the Taiwanese press of ignorance and racism? Insinuating, as Brown does, that the editors are being "intentionally offensive" is nonsense.
Brown was equally upset with an article about a visiting poet (African-American poet broadens horizons, Mar. 7, page 11), in which the writer "mentioned that he was black several times -- which astute readers might have gathered from his picture." You see? Merely mentioning more than once that he was "black" causes offense to someone with heightened sensibilities.
Apparently, if a photograph accompanies an article, a person's race is not to be mentioned -- or at least not more than once.
These American rules for political correctness are not followed by or known to everyone in the US, so let's give the Taiwanese reporter the benefit of the doubt.
The remark by the publisher in the same article who said, "Tall and black as he is, he didn't look like a poet," was obviously crude and the speaker was unaware of the racist overtones of his words. That statement should have been deleted before the article ever went to print. That's what editors are for.
John Cramblit
Taipei
More often than not letters on the Taipei Times' letters page are critical of both Taiwanese society and of the Taipei Times. Most come from foreigners and overseas Chinese. I too have offered my fair share of criticism about Taiwan, but your page seems to be limited to cranky complaints and scolding. Well and good; if we do something offensive or downright wrong then we can expect to be criticized. Still, there is a difference between constructively pointing out errors, on the one hand, and simply serving up insults on the other.
For instance, pointing out that someone's use of racial language betrays an unenlightened bias should not amount to the further charge that this is a full-blown racist conspiracy. The Taiwanese are also "people of color" in current English usage, and hence might be forgiven for saying "colored" as an adjective in a foreign language (an adjective that was politically correct 35 years ago). Would it be that much better to have published the headline "Oscars of Color?" Many news sources pointed out that this year's Academy Awards were notable for recognizing African-Americans, and to do so usually implies a congratulation in the face of continuing racial struggle for recognition.
Nevertheless, it is regrettable to see anti-black attitudes and stereotypes surfacing in Taiwan so pervasively. Ironically, of the very few nations which recognize Taiwan's sovereignty despite pressure from China, several are African. Moreover, black stars in sports, music and movies are admired in Taiwan's melange of global pop multiculturalism. One hopes that such factors will prompt local people to recognize the wide variety and values of "black" peoples.
Someday it will no longer be possible to think that a person who is "tall and black" does not look like a poet. On that day, we will all know that only some poets are short and white. More to the point, the Taipei Times offers a valuable service by printing such letters, demonstrating its willingness to openly engage with criticism. Taipei Times editorials, local news and selections of world news and opinion often prove stimulating and informative. It is a sign of a flourishing civil society that the the press takes responsibility for such crucial public debate and enlightenment.
Erick Heroux
Taipei
Nothing to laugh at
I read your review of the movie We Were Soldiers in Outtakes but, fortunately, I ignored it and saw the movie anyway.
Having grown up in the 60s and being a Canadian, I had to live with the fact of the Vietnam War but was fortunate not to have been involved.
Having experienced the times and now having seen this movie, I found nothing "emotionally vacuous" about it. I was, however, somewhat disgusted by the Taiwanese audience, which seemed to think parts of the movie were a comedy. I certainly found nothing to laugh at.
Taiwan is a country that, despite the threat from the PRC, must rely on conscription to maintain an armed force for its defense. Taiwan is a country which last sent troops into battle during the 228 uprising, against its own people.
What I find emotionally vacuous is a people who cannot work up enough emotion to defend their own country, not a movie about a people who at least set out to defend their ideals.
Steve Macklam
Hualien
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