The Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL), the oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization in the nation, is offended by the racial remarks made by Dr. Roger Stark, a retired surgeon and former Republican candidate for the Washington state Legislature.
Dr. Stark was a speaker at the Issaquah Chamber, discussing his position on health care in America.
According to the Issaquah Reporter (“Public option will lead to rationing,” Friday, Sept. 18, 2009) Dr. Stark stated how life expectancy rates are not solely dependent on the health care system but also on race.
When he used Japan as an example of a country with government run health care and also how Japanese people are known to have high life expectancies he stated: “I’ve never been to Japan, but, you know, they all look alike don’t they?”
Dr. Spark’s remarks emphasize a negative stereotype that all persons of Asian decent look the same.
These types of comments are offensive and perpetuate detrimental ideas of race.
As diverse of a nation we are, we should recognize and embrace differences among each other, especially within ethnic groups.
If you have any further questions please contact the JACL Washington D.C. office at dc@jacl.org or 202-223-1240.
S. Floyd Mori
JACL
