Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
Cho and other Asian shooters were portrayed as "smart but quiet" and "fundamentally foreign." What do these stereotypes reveal, and what do they obscure?
  • Asians, and Deadeye Dick

    Seriously, the only people I've heard talk about the fact that the shooter was Asian are Asians. I haven't seen a single quote, in person on in print, caring that the individual was Asian, other than to specify his national origin, except from self-conscious Asians. And even then, the quotes were more to point out his lack of citizenship than anything else.

    I'm reminded of the father in Vonnegut's "Deadeye Dick", who takes responsibility for his son accidentally shooting a neighbor. When the community absolves them both of responsibility, he insists that he cannot be forgiven. When even the police chief tries to reason with the father, he will not let it go. As a result, the officer is left with no choice but to arrest him, despite everyone's misgivings.

    My point: if Asians keep insisting that they are responsible, eventually they will be treated as such, regardless. On behalf of my Asian friends, and reasonable people everywhere: Please stop now.