BRANDEIS STUDENTS RALLY AFTER ASIAN AND WOMEN HATE ACTS

Thanks to Doug Brugge
December 10, 2001
taken from Brandeis student press release

Concerned students staged a noon rally in front of the Usdan Student Center, spurred by recent harassment targeting Asian- American women on Brandeis University campus. The rally provided a safe space for students voices to be heard and solidarity in the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination.

The incidents of harassment include a November 20, 2001, incident where WBRS, a Brandeis community radio organization, funded by the student union, broadcasted an overtly offensive radio show run by 5 Brandeis students, called "the Men's Room". The hosts of the show made sexist and racist remarks over the air specifically targeting Asian -Americans. Words like Chink" and "Gook' were used as "synonyms for Asians", and they continued to laugh though a song they improvised on the subject of Asian strippers. They made a pun of the word "slanted", mocking the almond-shaped eyes distinctive to people of East Asian descent. They continued with a verse stating, " I once was in China. wanted to see some vagina"; the offensive verses continued with "I love when strippers give me licks, too my dick/ I said babe, touch my chopstick..." and "she said '' me love you long time' ", referring to the stereotyped line in reference to Asian women's submissiveness and sexual objectification. They then sang about an Asian woman who was "hot " and "Yellow", and who had shown them her "tits", undermining the integrity and humanity of all Asian American women.

After students notified the adminstration of this verbal attack on the Asian American community, all that has ocurred has been an "open forum" on racism, aired on WBRS, where the hosts were present. The show has since been canceled, though participating members remain on the radio stations executive board.

Not Over