Last month’s news comes to council later this week: “Too Asian” never dies
Sit down and let us tell you a story of long ago. Back in the mists of time—November—a magazine ran a regrettable article with a regrettable title. We laughed, we cried, we learned, and then the country moved on to the latest shiny distraction. Except that some people aren’t as distracted by Justin Bieber or the latest Colin Firth movie as we are, so two Toronto city councillors are bringing the matter of the “Too Asian” article to council so that 45 people who don’t work in publishing can register an opinion on a month-old controversy. Mike Layton has brought forward, and Kristyn Wong-Tam has seconded, this motion at council, which concludes:
Many community organizations have called upon Maclean’s to issue an unqualified apology to the people of Toronto for the negative stereotyping and impressions of people of Asian descent who form nearly a quarter of the City’s population. The City of Victoria has passed a motion expressing its concern for the impact of this article and other cities are also considering similar actions.
Therefore, in keeping with the City’s leadership role in seeking to eliminate racism and discrimination, Toronto City Council is called upon to disassociate itself from the views expressed by this article and to reinforce the rights of any student to attend post-secondary education without limitation.
This isn’t the first run-in with poorly chosen descriptions of Toronto’s Asian community for Wong-Tam: almost three years ago, she and others offended by Rob Ford’s description of “Orientals” who “work like dogs” lay down in front of Ford’s office demanding an apology, an apology that Ford eventually gave under some duress—and not before marshalling some bizarre defenses, like citing a supermarket flyer to prove that the word “Oriental” wasn’t rude or racist. Yes, he did.
But back to the issue at hand. While some people are criticizing Layton for this motion, it’s worth noting that the House of Commons passed a meaningless motion about a Maclean’s article not too long ago, and we can hardly expect Toronto city hall to be any more sensible than the men and women up in Ottawa.
• Request for Apology for the media article “Too Asian?” [Toronto.ca]
Well, I would hardly expect Toronto Life to understand why the Maclean’s article was offensive. After all they published that offensive article about Aqsa Parvez a couple of years ago. Hello, Can any say “xenophobia”?
I think it is important that the City of Toronto disassociate themselves with the “Too Asian” Maclean’s article. No less can be expected from a city that is world renown for embracing diversity and culture. Issues of racism should always be addressed and not swept under the carpet. Thank you City of Toronto. :)
I’m Chinese Canadian and I read the Macleans article but for the life of me I don’t see what the fuss is all about. The article does identify some undesirable trends, but I see these trends myself so they were only reporting on the obvious and if these are truths, how is it racist? I think the greatest fuss is being created by the left leaning white liberals who live in an idealistic utopia and who immediately label any negative reporting of an ethnic group as racism. Please, lets get real people.
what do we elect council to do?…..and you wonder why Ford won…get to governing the city…
I can’t see why having a large number of students of any particular background smart enough and hard working enough to get the top marks needed to be admitted to a top university should be news – even for a novice Councillor. Instead, rejoice for them, be proud, and get over thinking it is some racial slur.
I too am “Oriental”. I believe Michael said it all.
Move on.
I agree with Dee.
Racism didn’t magically disappear without political action. Look at how long and hard racism linger after Abraham Lincoln won the election in 1860.
What about the lady in the article who yelled at the Asian guy for being the reason her son couldn’t get into university. You think she isn’t writing to her MP and donating money to Heritage Front?
Sunny’s got it right. I hate how the media can use this type of talk (“too Asian”???) and not expect that it will do nothing but spur racism, or at least harbour negative feelings toward Asians by those who are nothig but haters sitting on their asses; nevermind that these haters do nthing to improve their lot.
I can’t imagine there would ever be an article written by some national publication about how some areas are “too black” and full of crime–what kind of journalism is this??