Urban Alliance seeks inquiry into ‘Too Asian’? article

Urban Alliance seeks inquiry into ‘Too Asian’? article

TORONTO–The article “Too Asian”? in Maclean’s Nov. 22, 2010 issue  (now re-titled on-line as “The Enrollment Controversy”) has evoked  swift community responses  across Toronto, Ontario and Canada.

The Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has participated in a number of community discussions on this issue.  Our view, shared by many, is that the article with its title, subtitles, headings, size of the main photo, captions, and textual innuendos, is “racist in tone”.

The UARR also thinks the manner in which Maclean’s has been publishing controversial articles without providing thoughtful analysis for readers to better balance their understanding of complex social issues is contrary to the public expectation that the media should promote the Canadian values of social justice and human rights.

The UARR has written to the Ontario Human Rights Commission asking the OHRC to consider its jurisdiction under the Ontario Human Rights Code to publicly inquire into this matter.

In addition, the UARR, with the Chinese Canadian National Council, Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter, Labour Community Services, National Anti-Racism Council of Canada, and South Asian Women’s Centre will co-host the Fifth Annual Commemoration of International Human Rights Day by presenting a public forum: Media Responsibility in Promoting Human Rights in an Equitable Society, with a focus on the “Too Asian”? Article in Maclean’s November 2010 Issue.

The panelists include: Pat Case,University of Guelph; Cheuk Kwan, W5 Ad-Hoc Committee; Danielle Sandhu,Canadian Federation of Students; and Florence Li, CCNC Toronto Chapter. Barbara Hall, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission will be a special guest. Date and Time: Thursday, December 9, 2010 6.00pm to 8.00pm, location: 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120, Toronto

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The Urban Alliance on Race Relations was established in September 1975.  The mandate of the UARR is to promote respectful and peaceful relationships among the diverse communities within the GTA in our common effort to build a more equitable and inclusive society in Toronto, Ontario and Canada.