Daily Princetonian Pokes Fun at Asian American College Applicants

Parents Forum
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<p>I’m wondering how you all feel about this. I know many of CC’s members in general are actually parents of college students or applicants, and many are Asian American. </p>

<p>This is an article that ran recently in the Daily Princetonian’s “joke” edition. It’s a joke article written from the perspective of “Lian Ji”, a bitter Asian student rejected from the oh-so-hallowed halls of Princeton. It that plays on the “Textureless math grind Asian nerd student who plays piano but can’t contribute intellectually or socially to the campus community” issue… which is, understandably, becoming a bigger and bigger issue each year. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/arc...on/17109.shtml[/url]”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/arc...on/17109.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>What’s your reaction? </p>

<p>Mine: Yeah, not funny. Not even amusing. Can you imagine them writing a spoof column written from the perspective of an affirmative action black student, playing on stereotypes like being low-educated, low-income, basketball and hip hop obsessed, all written in a gangsta “Fo 'shizzle homies!” style?</p>

<p>Wouldn’t happen. But I guess since its just Asians, its okay to make fun of. Hats of to the brilliant minds at Princeton.</p>

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<p>The article is offensive.</p>

<p>“Can you imagine them writing a spoof column written from the perspective of an affirmative action black student, playing on stereotypes like being low-educated, low-income, basketball and hip hop obsessed, all written in a gangsta “Fo 'shizzle homies!” style? Wouldn’t happen. But I guess since its just Asians, its okay to make fun of.”</p>

<p>About 5 years ago, the U of Minn. daily newspaper – one of the largest circulation student papers in the country-- ran a so-called comic strip that did make fun of blacks. It contained Ebonics, had the characters drinking large cans of booze, disrespecting women and spouting profanity. It was supposed to be funny, and I heard that the cartoon was drawn by a white student who allegedly loved rap music and thought black people were cool. Believe it or not, apparently, he wasn’t trying to be offensive, but most have gotten his perspective of black culture from gangsta rap.</p>

<p>The black student organization protested, and I believe it was then that he and the newspaper staff realized how offensive the comic strip was.</p>

<p>It’s not just the Princeton student journalists who sometimes lack a clue.</p>

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<p>The article is VERY offensive. I have ZT it to other Chinese web sites</p>

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<p>I agree - offensive and a poor attempt at humor. Wonder if it will become a big deal like the one a few weeks ago where some college paper (can’t remember where) wrote an offensive article about AA and black students? Or is it OK to bash other races? (rhetorical question folks - I don’t think it is ok)</p>

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<p>Disgusting and idiotic. I’m glad they at the least tried to make amends for it. Will Princeton do the same? I’m betting that they’ll just insist to Asians and all offended that it was simply the joke edition, after all… and people will draw the conclusion that Asians are not only social losers, but can’t take a “joke” as well.</p>

<p>So it goes. Is it really the 21st century?</p>

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<p>This will – and should – generate a firestorm of criticism. It is way out of bounds. It makes me think less, a lot less, of Princeton and The Daily Princetonian. Heads ought to roll.</p>

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<p>This is way out of bound. I am glad that my son (an Asian) decided not to apply to Peinceton this year.</p>

<p>Sad for the people in Princeton who allowed this article to be published. Thought they are smart enough. Over-estimate them, I guess.</p>

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<p>Way over the line.</p>

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<p>I fail to see the humor in this article. You would think that it is open season on minorities. </p>

<p>The Dartmouth review published on it front page a picture that was offensive to Native American (the preseident of the Dartmouth review has since resigned)</p>

<p>Tufts did a poor job at satire in one of its student journal, which published satirical song ridiculuing blacks </p>

<p>Now Princeton. It makes me sad to see how so many book smart people can be so life stupid</p>

10

<p>This is another proof that Princeton is indeed pathetic.</p>

<p>I didn’t appreciate it when Reno made fun of South Koreans as vicious dog eaters.</p>

<p>I don’t like the pun on the bulldog either.</p>

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<p>The link is broken by the way</p>

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<p>Offensive crap.</p>

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<p>Fixed link: <a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/01/17/opinion/17109.shtml[/url]”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/01/17/opinion/17109.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I notice that the column is part of the Princetonian’s annual joke issue. The offensive comic strip that University of Minn.'s newspaper ran also was part of a joke issue.</p>

<p>I wish that students would learn the difference between being funny and being offensive.</p>

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<p>Offensive can be forgiven, as long as it’s funny: “Blazing Saddles,” “Animal House,” “Airplane”</p>

<p>If it ain’t funny, and it has no other redeeming value (like over-the-top parody value), it’s just offensive.</p>

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<p>Saying “it’s a joke” doesn’t make this any more acceptable. Of course it’s a joke. It’s a bad, blatantly offensive, horribly mean-spirited joke that reflects really badly on anyone who said “Hey, this is funny! Let’s publish it!”</p>

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<p>It made Princeton look bad, and to the extent that the Princetonian is supposed to reflect the best journalism that Princeton has to offer, it should.</p>

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<p>What a revolting “article.”</p>

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<p>It just goes to show that some supposedly very smart people can be incredibly dumb sometimes.</p>

<p>If this piece reflects the quality and intelligence of the students that Princeton DID admit, then I’d say that the real-life Jian Li has a legitmate complaint.</p>

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<p>Everyone else has hit on the fact it was “wrong-headed” from the start but it was also not funny. Just not funny at all. I can’t believe anybody would have thought that was funny. Not exactly quality stuff.</p>