The Asian American Journalists Association today condemned a syndicated column by Joel Brinkley which warned dog owners in Vietnam to keep their pets close to home, otherwise they would be kidnapped and eaten for dinner.
“AAJA wrote in a statement that “public outrage over the piece is certainly justified, and AAJA joins in expressing disappointment over Mr. Brinkley’s column. We acknowledge that Mr. Brinkley was writing about his observations in Vietnam, but his words serve to only promote negative stereotypes on the United States’ large, and rapidly growing, Asian American population. It’s unfortunate that Mr. Brinkley does not fully comprehend how hurtful and harmful pieces like his can be.”
AAJA applauded Tribune Syndicated Services decision to pull the piece and vowing “better vigilance in preventing future lapses in its editing process.”
