To the editors:
Michael Miner’s Hot Type column of May 15 “Buy American, Burn Asian” may have been well intended but falls abysmally short in its display of judgment and sensitivity.
While the piece may have meant to take on those who seek to lay the blame of America’s economic and other woes at the feet of Korean-, Japanese-, and other Asian-Americans, it in fact runs the risk of reinforcing stereotypes and plays dangerously with myths about Asian-Americans.
Sarcasm has its use and your message is a good one. In this case, however, a viable journalistic device was misapplied and an important message muffled.
Barry Morrison
Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith