Below is a press release from the office of Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) reacting to Rush Limbaugh's mockery of Chinese language and culture.
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Congresswoman Judy Chu Condemns Rush Limbaugh's Comments Ridiculing Chinese Culture, President Hu Jintao
LOS ANGELES, CA - Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to comments made by right wing radio personality Rush Limbaugh yesterday, during which he made ridiculed the accent of Chinese President Hu Jintao and made other comments disparaging of Chinese culture:
“I was shocked and appalled by Rush Limbaugh's comments on his radio show yesterday. Calling the Chinese names and imitating the Chinese language was a childish and offensive tactic. It is one thing to disagree with a nation and criticize its policies, but it is another thing to demonize an entire people,” said Rep. Chu.
“There are 2.5 million American citizens of Chinese descent in the U.S. today. We have come a long way since the Chinese came to America to help build the transcontinental railroad. Over the last 150 years, the Chinese in America have faced severe racial discrimination. It wasn't that long ago that the Chinese in America were legally excluded from the basic rights given to every other newcomer. They were called racial slurs, were spat upon in the streets, derided in the halls of Congress and even brutally murdered. So when I hear popular leaders in the media, like Mr. Limbaugh, unearth this same type of derogatory rhetoric I can only think about how far we have come and worry about whether we want to head back in that direction.”
The first Chinese American woman to serve in Congress, Representative Judy Chu was elected in July 2009 to the U.S. House of Representatives as the Representative of California's 32nd District, which includes East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. She is a member of the House Judiciary, Government Oversight, and Education and Labor Committees.
Congresswoman Chu's career in politics spans 24 years. A lifelong educator, Congresswoman Chu taught community college classes in Los Angeles and East Los Angeles for 20 years. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology and a B.A. in mathematics.
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