Asian Council Condemns "Racist Remarks Targeting Rep. Cao"
Washington, D.C. – The National Council on Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) condemns the racist attacks against Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, a first-term Republican from Louisiana and Vietnamese American who was the lone Republican to vote for the H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act on Saturday, November 14, 2009, when it was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Cao has been called “Mao” in various blogs and has been the target of many racial epithets in unacceptable, and we call upon all his colleagues to rebuke the racism from these various bloggers and commentators. commentary. Expressing discontent with Rep. Cao’s vote through derogatory rhetoric and statements is unacceptable, and we call upon all his colleagues to rebuke the racism from these various bloggers and commentators.
Lawmakers should not be subjected to personal attacks based on their race or ethnicity simply for representing their constituents. Health care reform is a critical issue for all Americans including Asian Pacific Americans, and this rhetoric used against Rep. Cao detracts from the actual issues and the important discourse in which we all need to partake.
Founded in 1996, The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) is a coalition of twenty-six nationwide Asian American interest organizations that advocate for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-1240 Fax: (202) 296-8082
