Fort Erie Rotarian Vincent Quon reacted to an illustration in the current (November) issue of the Rotarian magazine.
You will want to check your copy (either the physical magazine or you can view it here: https://magazine.rotary.org/rotary/november_2023/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm=2&folio=6#pg8)
Vincent contacted the editor of the magazine with the following letter:
Dear Editor:
This is referring to the picture on page 7 of November 2023's Rotary Magazine.
My first impression: what a terrible picture of a piece of artwork to put in your magazine. Many Rotarians don't care, may not even notice it.
This is referring to the picture on page 7 of November 2023's Rotary Magazine.
My first impression: what a terrible picture of a piece of artwork to put in your magazine. Many Rotarians don't care, may not even notice it.
But first impressions DO count. Especially for people and Rotarians outside of the United States.
They may see what Americans may not see. Asians in America would notice it for sure.
They may see what Americans may not see. Asians in America would notice it for sure.
The picture on page 7 gives an impression that East Asians/SE Asians are fat lazy people, being gluttonous, putting dirty feet up near food. Again, non-Asians will say what is the big deal? It's funny. With enough negative impressions seeping in via mass media; non-Asians may continue to see China and other East Asian countries in a negative light; causing negative events such as increased Racism.
Dear Editor:
This is referring to the picture on page 7 of November 2023's Rotary Magazine.
My first impression: what a terrible picture of a piece of artwork to put in your magazine. Many Rotarians don't care, may not even notice it.
But first impressions DO count. Especially for people and Rotarians outside of the United States.
They may see what Americans may not see. Asians in America would notice it for sure.
I don't know if it is because Rotary International is headquartered in the States.
Perhaps the Americans are bombarded by mass media of Political news. One such example: the government clamping down on Semiconductors sales into China for security reasons
(or is it to curtail China's growth?). Mass media sensationalizing a big white weather balloon of spying on America but it is allowed to float across the country? People in general are smart enough to know it doesn't make sense that the military allowed it to float for so long; yet if bombarded with enough visual cues, people believe China is spying. I digressed, but was trying to perhaps extend a reasoning why you couldn't spot the stereotype.)
The picture on page 7 gives an impression that East Asians/SE Asians are fat lazy people being gluttonous, putting dirty feet up near food. Again, non-Asians will say what is the big deal? It's funny. With enough negative impressions seeping in via mass media; non-Asians may continue to see China and other East Asian countries in a negative light; causing negative events such as increased Racism.
The artist can paint what he/she desires, and it may even seem funny within his/her context. But you need not print it. It is stereotyping on the verge of promoting Racism under the Rotary context, IMO. You can instead print pictures of the positive growth of other countries which would help Rotary International's cause of Promoting Peace.
Like one of our long time Member keeps saying: we need to be thoughtful.
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Regards:
Vincent
RotaryFortErie.org
P.S. I copied DG, 3 past DG, ADG. It bothered me so much, I had to send it to them too.
P.S.S. If you publish this in your District newsletter, it may promote people to read the Magazine