By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
The Los Angeles Times this morning fell on its sword and included numerous letters blasting its decision to publish two letters supporting the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Under the headline The Times regrets publishing letters about the Japanese American internment that weren’t civil, fact based discourse, the paper fully acknowledged its mistake.
“In retrospect, that (publishing the letters) was not the right decision because the views expressed in the letters did not lend themselves to reasoned discussion,” the article by Deirdre Edgar, readers representative at the LA Times said.
“Letters in The Times are the opinions of the writers, and editors strive to include a range of voices,” said LA Times editor Davan Maharaj. “But the goal is to present readers with civil, intelligent, fact-based opinions that enlarge their understanding of the world.
“These letters did not meet that standard.”
Readers agreed.
“I would hope that The Times, as a reputable news organization, would not print letters for their sensational value,” wrote reader Elizabeth Kennedy.
“The letters regarding Japanese American internment echo the propaganda rationalizing the internment camps in the government film I show my students to teach about propaganda,” said teacher Irene Oller.
“If you call living with multiple families in Army-style barracks with rooms separated by a blanket for privacy and tar-paper-thin walls to keep out the subzero temperatures “housed,” having potato soup for dinner “fed,” having rifle-toting guards staring into the compound from outside the barbed-wire fence “protected and cared for,” then you have different definitions from mine,” said Glenn Hamanaka.
RELATED STORY: LA Times Backtracks on Publishing Letters Defending Incarceration Camps
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. You can show your support by liking our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/asamnews, following us on Twitter, sharing our stories, interning or joining our staff.
