No Laughing Matter

We agree with Eddie Murphy that African-Americans have endured the same old negative stereotypes from the “white” movie industry (“All We Want Is Equal Treatment,” Counterpunch, July 20). It’s great that “Boomerang” breaks away from cast-iron molds and shows positive, successful images of African-Americans.

But ironically, it reinforces unfair stereotypes of Asians. The fact that actress Halle Berry’s “ching chong” gibberish to David Alan Grier is not any real language--let alone Korean--is offensive enough. But her “translated” line (“I’m sorry I shot you, but I thought you were robbing the store”) is inexcusable.

In response to complaints from the Asian-American community (Film Clips, July 26), Murphy stated that the line was necessary in discussing the real-life death of Latasha Harlins, saying that discussion would “allow the healing process to begin.”

While this might promote healing within the African-American community, it certainly does not promote healing for Korean-Americans, who have been unfairly stereotyped because of the actions of Soon Ja Du and are still recovering from being targeted disproportionately in the riots.

The line only serves to hinder efforts to rebuild the fragmented relations in our diverse society. Coming just two months after the riots, it should have been excised from the film. It would not have been missed.

RON S. CHUN

Media Action Network for Asian Americans

Santa Monica