A petition calling for an end to what commenters have described as the regular targeting of "Micronesians" on Hawai'i morning radio has reached over 1,000 signatures in just two days, on the petition website www.change.org.
The petition writer, Kat Lobendahn, described the catalyst that prompted her to finally take action on what many morning radio listeners in Hawai'i are all too familiar with: ethnically derogatory jokes exclusively targeting "Micronesians," who in recent years have collectively faced growing express and systemic discrimination in the island state. As Lobendahn reported:
"At approximate 7:15 am this morning (23 May 2014) on Island 98.5 radio show 'Wake Up Crew,' boy was I in for a rude awakening. The disc jockey's of this program told one of the worst racist jokes that I have ever heard against the people of Micronesia. This was not the first racist joke against Micronesian's, but it is by far the worst. Here is their attempt to be funny by telling this UNfunny joke.
'Why aren't there many beautiful Micronesians? Because babies with birth defects are usually terminated before birth.'"
'Why aren't there many beautiful Micronesians? Because babies with birth defects are usually terminated before birth.'"
The petition calls on the program director of Island 98.5 FM of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to "take disciplinary action" against the Wake Up Crew DJs, and to immediately stop the broadcasting of Micronesian jokes on the airwaves. A written and oral apology is also requested.
While ethnic jokes have a long history in Hawai'i, reflecting a multicultural diversity rooted in the islands' geographic location and history of immigration, many petition commenters noted that jokes against Micronesians tend to exhibit a level of cruelty and dehumanization well and far beyond what could be considered "joking around." Others noted the harm caused in perpetuating invidious discrimination that they personally observed or experienced on a regular basis, including several teachers who testified to the bullying and racism faced by Micronesian students in school.
"As a former teacher at Waianae High, I have seen kids use these jokes as part of a campus wide bullying problem so bad that nearly all Micronesian students are frequently truant," wrote Clarisa Merucci, who signed the petition. "Micronesians living in Hawaii suffer from systemic and widely accepted, even supported, discrimination and harassment. This needs to stop. It is not okay to constantly berate an ethnic group and it is especially heartless considering the struggles many of them face," Merucci noted.
Another educator, Kira Lee, related how "I've had Micronesian students who were ashamed to tell their friends that they were part Micronesian."
Micronesian parents and grandparents echoed similar concerns for the welfare of their children. "Experienced this firsthand. Having two kids of my own, I would hate for them to have to go through the same thing," wrote Lei Iguel, of Honolulu.
Petition signer Esther I. Lokboj wrote, "I don't want my grandchildren to grow up thinking they're inferior because they are part of Micronesia."
The petition also features a spoken word video performance by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a University of Hawai'i graduate student who hails from the Marshall Islands. Called "Lessons from Hawai'i," the video calls out the often open racism against Micronesians in Hawai'i, pointing to the lack of knowledge and prejudice underlying Jetnil-Kijiner's daily experiences with discriminatory comments and actions.
Local petition signers noted their own concerns about the impact that such broadcasted derogatory statements may have on the reputation and social fabric of Hawai'i.
As petition signer Aiko Yamashiro wrote, "Some people may think we are calling for 'censorship' but I think the real issue here is calling our public figures into responsibility for the power that they wield. They have the power to educate and build community and connection, and humor and wit can be a tool for that too! Or they can waste that power and make us feel ashamed for the thoughtless things they might say on behalf of Hawai'i."
The petition notes that it will be taken to the sponsors of the radio program.
To sign or view the petition, click here:
https://www.change.org/petitions/island-98-5-radio-station-honolulu-hi-stop-the-derogatory-racist-jokes-and-comments-against-the-people-of-micronesia
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