Washington D.C.–Some 20 Asian American organizations nationwide issued a statement demanding an apology from D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry, citing his pattern of divisive remarks–against Asian American shop owners, and most recently, against Filipino nurses and teachers.

They also called on him to engage in a dialogue with the community “to understand the contributions and challenges of community members.”

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said, “Filipino nurses are known to be competent, hardworking, caring, and possess good work ethic…Like many good citizens, they pay their taxes and contribute to the American economy.”

Last April 23, at a hearing regarding the University of District of Columbia, Councilmember Marion Barry, a former civil rights leader and D.C. mayor, said immigrant healthcare workers are dominating the field.

He added that “if you go to the hospital now, you’ll find a number of immigrants who are nurses, particularly from the Philippines. And no offense, but let’s grow our own teachers, let’s grow our own nurses, and so that we don’t have to go scrounging in our community clinics and other kinds of places, having to hire people from somewhere else.”

On April 3, at his Ward 8 primary election victory party, Councilmember Barry said: “We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops…They ought to go. I’m going to say that right now.” Barry was later forced to apologize for his remarks.

Stereotypes

The group statement of the 20 organizations stressed that they are “extremely concerned” that remarks such as Barry has made “can perpetuate stereotypes of Asians taking jobs away from other Americans, which can fuel racism and animosity towards community members.”

On April 5, the Asian American members of the Maryland General Assembly released a statement denouncing Barry’s comments as “deeply troubling” and “race baiting.” They urged Barry “to apologize for his intolerant comments and stand up for economic inclusion for people of all colors.”

The Asian American members of the Maryland General Assembly who denounced Barry’s remarks represent districts in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. They are: Delegate Sam Arora (D-Montgomery County); Delegate Kumar Barve (D-Montgomery County); Delegate Susan Lee (D-Montgomery County); Delegate Aruna Miller (D-Montgomery County), and Delegate Kris Valderrama (D-Prince George’s County)

Dialogue

The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) said Barry’s “xenophobic rhetoric casts Asian Pacific Americans as perpetual foreigners and a threat to economic opportunities.”

On April 24, OCA urged Barry, a former civil rights leader and D.C. mayor, to meet with advocacy groups “to jointly address public policy strategies for educational and economic equity and equality within 30 days.” OCA is a national civil rights organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates.

Ed Navarra, National Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA), said Barry should “immediately apologize for (his) racist remarks.”

He called on Barry to have a “dialogue with our community so we can better educate the broader American public about the significant contributions that our diverse immigrant communities have made to this country.”

OCA urged the following actions to address this problem: 1) Barry should issue a meaningful apology for his statement against Asian business owners, and his recent remarks against Asian Pacific Islander healthcare workers;

2) Barry should meet with APA community advocacy organizations and other people of color advocacy groups to jointly address public policy strategies for educational and economic equity and equality within 30 days.

National Organizations

A list of the national organizations which signed a statement taking exceptions to Barry’s remarks follows: APIAVote, Asian American Action Fund, Asian American Justice Center, Member of Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Council of Korean Americans, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Association of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA);

National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Asian Pacific American Center on Aging (NAPCA), National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse (NAPAFASA), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD), OCA, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), and Southeast Asia Action Resource Center (SEARAC).

Full text of the statement issued by these organizations follows:

“As members of local and national organizations committed to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States, the undersigned organizations condemn District of Columbia Councilmember Marion Barry’s recent remarks regarding Asian-owned businesses at a campaign event in Washington, D.C.

“On April 3, at his Ward 8 primary election victory party, Councilmember Barry made the following statement, “We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops … They ought to go. I’m going to say that right now.” Given Councilmember Barry’s previous commitment to civil rights, we are particularly disappointed by these comments. While Councilmember Barry has recently indicated that he was “sorry for offending the Asian community,” we call upon him to provide a sincere apology and ensure meaningful engagement with our communities to improve the well-being of all individuals in the District.

“Councilmember Barry’s statement is of serious concern because it undermines the notion that developing the District of Columbia’s economy and neighborhoods is in the interest of all communities, regardless of national origin or ethnic background. Numerous institutions, from small businesses to non-profit organizations, as well as individuals, provide vital services and job opportunities, contribute their tax dollars, and engage in civic and political life within the city.

“Within the District of Columbia, according to 2007 data, Asian Americans own 5.9% of businesses, joining other communities in strengthening the economy. Rather than acknowledging and appreciating the contributions that Asian businesses, alongside other racial and ethnic communities, have made to the city, Councilmember Barry’s remarks appear to fan the flames of racial divisions and imply that Asian Americans are not invested in developing a robust economy that benefits all residents.

“Our organizations are also extremely concerned that remarks such as these can perpetuate stereotypes of Asians taking jobs away from other Americans, which can fuel racism and animosity towards community members.

“In fact, individuals of Asian descent are frequently blamed for the economic woes that this country has faced when perceptions are fostered that our community is thriving in this economy at the expense of other minority communities with whom we work and live alongside.

“In light of these concerns, we call upon Councilmember Barry to provide a meaningful apology and officially retract his statement; refrain from engaging in harmful rhetoric regarding Asian and other immigrant communities; and develop meaningful relationships with our communities in the District of Columbia to understand the contributions and challenges of community members.

“Our organizations also view this as a prime opportunity to work with Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmembers on the “One City, One Future” initiative. We look forward to proactively identifying next steps that we can take together to continue to create more diverse and growing economy for all residents.”