Outrage as US comedian Stephen Colbert mocks Asian Americans
Social media erupted in outrage and counter-attacks after US comedian Stephen Colbert used language that mocked Asian Americans in what was intended as an anti-racist jibe.
Social media erupted in outrage and counter-attacks after US comedian Stephen Colbert used language that mocked Asian Americans in what was intended as an anti-racist jibe.
Colbert, who is liberal but parodies a blustery conservative on his late night talk show, took aim at the Washington Redskins football team, whose name is considered offensive by many native Americans.
Colbert mocked team owner Dan Snyder, who has announced a fund to support native Americans while rejecting calls to change the name.
On Twitter and on his show Colbert said: "I am willing to show the Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever."
Writer and activist Suey Park, who helped lead the protests, asked why it was acceptable for Colbert to use offensive language for Asian Americans if he was criticising racism against native Americans.
"#CancelColbert because white liberals are just as complicit in making Asian Americans into punchlines and we aren't amused," she tweeted.
Colbert distanced himself from the joke. On his personal Twitter account he said he just saw the comment and "I share your rage".
He tweeted that the comment came not from him but from the account ColbertReport - an apparent reference to how he performs in character.
Colbert came to prominence in 2006 with a biting tongue-in-cheek satire of then president George W. Bush in his presence at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Colbert is not the first US comedian to be accused of double standards by Asian Americans.
