You haven't heard from 80-20 for a while. However, as usual 80-20 has been working for you, taken actions, and gotten results. We were waiting till emotion has ebbed and the long term interest of the Asian Am. community comes back into focus.
(A) 80-20's Effectiveness Regarding The Cafferty Statement
After Cafferty made his #@$!*& statement, 80-20 President Kathleen To emailed him on April 14 to express 80-20's "deep concern." She asked Cafferty "to clarify" whether his words "were not in any way intended to cast an aspersion on the millions of patriotic Chinese Americans," On the same day, Cafferty replied and went on air to make the same statement and told us when it'll be on air.
From: Cafferty, Jack [mailto:Jack.Cafferty@turner.com]
Sent: 04/14/2008 6:06 PM
To: Kathleen To
Subject: RE: Letter from 80-20 Initiative
"I was referring strictly to the Chinese government and not to the Chinese people or Chinese Americans. I made that clear on the Situation Room broadcast this evening (4/14) at approximately 6:10 p.m. when I read a clarification of my remarks from last week. Thank you very much for your letter.
Regards,
Jack Cafferty" See http://www.80-20initiative.net.
Had he not clarified, 80-20 would have mounted a campaign with all its resources. Dire negative statements on one component of Asian Ams. casts aspersion on all Asian Americans.
However, since his statement is about the Chinese government, we figured that it'd best left to the Chinese government to handle, not that we agreed with the statement.
Please let your emotion ebb and then ponder if 80-20 has done the right thing that is amazingly effective. Also note that 80-20 is an Asian Am. organization, not a Chinese American organization.
(B) 80-20's Traditional Policy:
Not to take positions on US foreign policy and foreign matters, although we insist that we have the rights to do so.
Why? For two good reasons.
First, Asian Americans have come from many native lands with different histories. Taking positions on foreign matters could be detrimental to the unity of the Asian American community.
Second, speaking frankly, we are not yet equal citizens of America. We would be the most vulnerable in taking positions on US foreign policy. It is best that we "keep our powder dry" and fight for our equal opportunity in workplaces and equal justice in the US courts first. Channel your anger to your support for 80-20 -- an organization that works methodically and tirelessly to win equal opportunity and justice for you. To join, go http://www.80-20initiative.net.
Respectfully yours,
S. B. Woo
Member, Executive comm. , 80-20 PAC
