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Asian academy members protest Oscar's Asian jokes

( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2016-03-16 09:45:50

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March 9, 2016

Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President

Dawn Hudson, CEO

Members of the Board of Governors

Reginald Hudlin and David Hill, Oscars® Producers

Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

8949 Wilshire Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

RE: "Oscars: Why Make Cheap Jokes at the Expense of Asians?"

(Hollywoodreporter.com)

"The Oscars anti-Asian racism was alive and well."

(PsychologyToday.com)

"Asian-American Jab at Oscars reveals deeper diversity woes"

(Associated Press, Salon.com)

Dear Cheryl, Dawn, Members of the Board of Governors, Reginald and David:

We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and

disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes.

In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity.

Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians.

We'd like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could have happened and what process you have in place to preclude such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in future Oscars telecasts.

We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect.

We are proud that the Oscars reach several hundred million people around the world of whom 60% are Asians and potential moviegoers.

Sincerely,

Don Hall, Sound Branch, John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation, Academy Governor, 18 years

Freida Lee Mock, Documentary Branch, Academy Award® winner, Academy Governor, 6 years

Arthur Dong, Documentary Branch, Academy Award® nominee, Academy Governor, 4 years

Ang Lee, Directors Branch, Two-time Academy Award® winner

Chris Tashima, Shorts and Feature Animation Branch, Academy Award® winner

Christine Choy, Documentary Branch, Academy Award® nominee

David Magdael, Public Relations Branch

France Nuyen, Actors Branch

George Takei, Actors Branch