Letter to the Editor
Hey Student Union, Attention Please!!
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When I first encountered the bright red sign depicting an Asian character with all the stereotypical features--- the straw Chinese hat, the “squinty” eyes, the knotted nose, and even, courtesy of Photoshop, a drawn on mustache--- I had to do a double take. I could not believe that this highly offensive image actually received the Office of Student Development’s stamp of approval to be posted all over the university.
I didn’t see the connection between the use of this particular image with the recruitment efforts of the Student Union. As the representatives of the American University in Cairo, the committee should be more aware of the student body that it represents in addition to the principle of nondiscrimination.
There is an obvious lack of cultural sensitivity and whether knowingly or not, carelessness (i.e: the use of any stereotypes, “positive” or “negative”), can and does show a level of cultural intolerance that undermines years of struggle against discrimination. In the effort to create a more compassionate and tolerant society, it is imperative that stereotypes are discarded and replaced by respect for the individual, free from these kinds of misguided prejudgment
Lily Shuk-Ping Tam
Political Economy
Senior
