February 8, 2007
To the Bi-Co News:
We are writing to respond to the 2/6/07 Letter to the Editor: “Ching Chong Song Treated
Unfairly.” Julia LaMendola, the author of the letter and member of the band Ching
Chong Song, continues to insult and offend members of the Bryn Mawr College
community. We, as the Office of Intercultural Affairs, must respond to her offensive
letter.
Firstly, we would like to commend the Bi-Co for printing Ms. LaMendola’s letter, as it
clearly substantiates our concerns and justifies rescinding her invitation to campus. We
agree that it is the responsibility of the editors to respect individuals’ freedom of
expression. Additionally, the OIA is happy to take on the responsibility of sharing the
situation that preceded Ms. LaMendola’s letter, and to make transparent the
circumstances surrounding the community’s decision to rescind the band’s invitation.
Ms. LaMendola and her band were originally slated to play at Bryn Mawr College last
semester. Once this came to the community’s attention, the band was asked not to appear,
because their name, “Ching Chong Song,” is highly offensive to Asians, AsianAmericans, and their allies.
Ms. LaMendola maintains that the band’s name is “(non)offensive,” despite ASA’s
efforts to educate her on the derogatory nature of the term, “Ching Chong.” Her
explanation that a variation of the band’s name, Ching Chang Chong, is the name of a
game in Germany, is irrelevant. Our community is not in Germany. “Ching Chong Song”
is offensive to the Asian students, faculty and staff at Bryn Mawr College, where the
band was initially asked to play.
Ms. LaMendola proposes, with no foundation, that homophobia is the basis for opposing
her band’s appearance at Bryn Mawr. Matters of sexual orientation are perfectly
immaterial to the band being asked not to appear here. Further, we do not believe that
Ms. LaMendola’s sexuality or views on sexuality entitle or permit her in any way to
insult another community. It is the group’s name, which is the offending issue—nothing
more. Our community is insulted and offended (not “scared,” by the way) by the group’s
name, and that is the reason for the cancellation.
In her letter, Ms. LaMendola implies that, because of her background, she has
“experience with the nuances of language.” If that is so, then why continue the cruelty
language can cause? When you know the power of hurtful language, why choose an
ethnic slur as the name of your band? Why use sexist and ableist terms in addressing
those with whom you disagree?
There is some evidence that reclaiming hurtful names and slurs can help the victims of
that language to heal. But Ms. LaMendola and her band are not Asian or Asian-
American. They are simply trying to be incendiary or, perhaps, desperate to appear
interesting, creative, or even culturally savvy—at the expense of a collective group of
people.
We are part of a higher education community. We know there is a right to free speech.
But Ms. LaMendola should not be surprised if her right to say whatever she wants elicits
reactions, protests—and the cancellation of contracts.
In her letter, Ms. LaMendola asks why anyone from “the asian society” hasn’t called her
or gone to see one of her band’s performances. We want to state again, it is the band’s
name—not type or content of music—that offends. No one on this campus has to do
anything more regarding this matter; the burden lies on Ms. LaMendola to offer an
apology, to reach out to (not insult) our community.
It is our hope that Ms. LaMendola will call us. Let her come to OIA programs. On March
6, the Office of Intercultural Affairs will bring Frank Wu, Dean of Wayne State
University Law School and expert on anti-Asian racism in the United States, to campus.
Mr. Wu is the author of the book Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White and
brings the credentials of dean, lawyer and teacher to his appearance at the College. He
will present an opportunity for the community to be educated and drawn together, not
attacked and insulted.
This spring, the Office of Intercultural Affairs is also launching a campaign called
“Words that Hurt.” In this campaign, we want to make the community aware of words
that may not at first glance seem offensive, but are, in fact, extremely hurtful. It is also
meant to overcome the assumption that our responses to offenses of this nature are
nothing more than “knee-jerk.” We will invite the community to learn more about biases
in our languages. Student coordinators will be posting signs around campus and inviting
the community (including Ms. LaMendola) to learn more about hurtful expressions and
how to respond when they are used.
We, at Bryn Mawr, are part of a community that upholds human values and cherishes the
human experience. We cannot tolerate, let alone invite, someone who capitalizes on
others’ oppression.
Chris MacDonald-Dennis, Ed.D., Assistant Dean and Director of Intercultural Affairs,
BMC
Peaches Valdes, Assistant Director, Intercultural Affairs, BMC
Vanessa Christman, Program Coordinator, Intercultural Affairs, BMC