Irvine, California, July 13, 2014 – During “The Five” program aired on Thursday July 10, 2014 on Fox News, Mr. Bob Beckel stated, “Chinese are the single biggest threat to the national security of the U.S. … Do you know what we just did? As usual, we bring them over here and teach a bunch of Chinamen – err, Chinese people – how to do computers and then they go back to China and hack into us.” He later went on saying: “There are billions of them. And, and all they do is to hack into our stuff. They send these cheap toys, all of which got lead in it and kill kids.” (The video clip can be viewed at http://youtu.be/jOzXyqxI_vk)
“We are stunned by the blatant racist comments made by Mr. Beckel on a nationally televised program. “ Said Mr. Alex Chen, Board Chair of the Club. “The insulting slur, as well as those who use it recklessly and conveniently, should deserve no place at Fox News. It is simply deplorable for Fox News to allow itself to become a platform of such derogatory outburst. Moreover, Mr. Beckel’s comments are a classic example of stereotyping and racial prejudice that would not only mislead the public with such groundless accusations, but also obliterate the loyalty and contributions Chinese immigrants have made to this great nation to date.”
Mr. Dennis Song, board member in charge of the Club’s Outreach, said, “It seems to have become a trend and occupational hazard that every time there is a tension between China and the US, clowns at news outlet would pick on the underrepresented and poke Chinese American’s in the eye. They need to be told that there are tens of thousands of Chinese American professionals working at the best hi-tech companies in this country and producing the most essential technologies that enable the selfie-driven life style that Mr. Beckel and his equally ignorant co-hosts and their families enjoy on daily basis – Yes, if you are smart enough to know what a smart phone is, Mr. Beckel, every single smart phone in American contains the circuitry designed by a Chinese American engineer.”
The Orange Club calls for immediate dismissal of Mr. Beckel, and a formal apology by Fox News to Chinese American communities across the country for the lack of moral standards in its program. We demand that Fox News review its programs to avoid becoming a venue for racists like Mr. Beckel in the future.
The Orange Club reserves the right to call for further actions towards Fox News, and the advertisers whose ads would appear on Fox News programs in which racially discriminative commentators like Mr. Beckel would appear.
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The Orange Club, a grassroot Political Action Committee (PAC) headquartered in Southern California, was formed during the fight against California Senate Constitutional Amendment #5 (SCA5) in the Spring of 2014. It is dedicated to advocating core interests of Chinese Americans, and promoting social justice and fairness for Asian Americans and all races alike in the United States. If you would like more information about the Club and this press release, please contact Ms. Mandy Li, Public Relations, at (949) 734-0912 or email at media@theorangeclub.org.