ASA gets apology from Mr. Vassar contestant

Stephen Cheng Staff Writer

The Asian Students’ Alliance (ASA) met this week to examine remarks made by Austin Clark ’08 at the recent Mr. Vassar competition. Clark attended the ASA meeting on Wed., Feb. 14 and apologized, but explained that he had expected shock from the audience, not laughter. “As outrageous as my statements were, I chose my words carefully,” said Clark.

During the competition, contestants were asked to describe the production of their loincloths with a slideshow presentation. In his reply, Clark poked fun at the textile workers in China who had sewn the fictive garment. He referred to Asians as “cunts” several times while describing ineffectual Chinese worker unions.

Mark Byon ’07, who attended the meeting because he felt offended by the comments, admonished Clark to “at least be tasteful” in making jokes. Byon described the racial implications of Clark’s words as “annoying and stupid.”

Poder Latino President Rebecca Fernandez ’07 believes that the comments “highlight a problem on campus that it’s okay to joke about oppression and abuse.”

Other students at the meeting did not seem as offended. Ian Woo ’10 said to Clark, “It seemed to me that you were being satirical.” Richard So ’09 agreed, remarking, “I understand that these things are sensitive. But if you look at the comics, TV...they all have racist jokes.”

Striving for reconciliation, James Kelly ’09 said, “We have to remember that we're all part of this community. Attacking one part of us is attacking us all.”

Concluding the meeting, ASA President Wayne Coito ’07 said, “We can't let ourselves be controlled by impulse. These issues are resolvable.”