WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2016) — OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates strongly condemns the series of xenophobic political advertisements in Missouri’s attorney general electoral race.
One advertisement, paid for by Tea Party Patriots, shows two businessmen speaking in Mandarin about how state Senator Kurt Schaefer has helped them purchase Missouri farmland. The ad ends with a photo of Senator Schaefer against a Chinese flag and a request to “Tell Kurt Schaefer: Stop Helping the Chinese Buy Our Farms”. Another advertisement uses anti-Muslim rhetoric and imagery to defame Professor Josh Hawley, Schaefer’s opponent.
“There is no place for racist, xenophobic, or anti-Muslim rhetoric in politics,” said Leslie Moe-Kaiser, OCA national president. “We have seen time and again how political rhetoric has demonized AAPI communities or more importantly, associated our communities with anti-American values. We echo the words of the OCA – St. Louis Chapter President Caroline Fan, in that this political advertisement villainizes Chinese businessmen and capitalizes on the “Yellow Peril” stereotype in order to elicit fear from Missouri voters. It is unconscionable for political groups and politicians to insight fear for their own gain. We call on them to pull these ads and to conduct themselves in a manner reflective of our country’s democracy.”
The OCA – St. Louis Chapter and other local Asian Pacific American organizations have also publicly condemned the ads.
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.
