February 6, 2012

AOF Condemns Hoekstra's Racially Insensitive Campaign Ad

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
CONTACT: Alvina Yeh // alvina@americasopportunityfund.com
Washington, D.C., February 6, 2012-- America’s Opportunity Fund (AOF) condemns the commercial aired during yesterday’s Super Bowl from Michigan Senate candidate, Pete Hoekstra. The commercial depicting a young Asian American woman speaking in broken English and set in a presumed Chinese countryside perpetuates negative stereotypes and is disrespectful to the Asian American community. It is unfortunate that Hoekstra decided to target his opponent Debbie Stabenow using tasteless anti-Asian sentiment.
 
In addition to his commercial, Hoekstra’s website, “Debbie Spend it Now”, is deeply offensive. Designed with images full of stereotypes, it’s disturbing that Hoekstra does not realize how insulting the website is for Asian Americans, particularly Chinese Americans.
“It is deeply disappointing that Mr. Hoekstra chose to use such inappropriate and vitriolic tactics in his campaign. The ad’s negative implications toward Asian Americans are simply uncalled for,” said AOF Chair, Norman Mineta. “It is a shame that Mr. Hoekstra felt the need to make political statements at the expense of a community with such a long and accomplished history of contributions in our country”.
In light of Hoekstra’s campaign, AOF strongly urges others to not base their political ads on xenophobic rhetoric. AOF insists on a formal apology from the Hoekstra campaign. In addition, AOF would like Mr. Hoekstra to take down the offensive website and commercial. Negatively stereotyping a community only leads to more aggravation, when candidates should be focused on what they will do to help improve the country for all those who live in it. 
America's Opportunity Fund (AOF) is a 501 C (4) Political Action Committee that provides opportunities for candidates, and communities of color, to participate fully in the electoral process at the federal and statewide level.
The goals of AOF are to affect a marked increase in the number of elected officials who embrace and understand the needs of communities of color; generate significant funds to support its mission in targeted states throughout the country; increase voter visibility and participation to support AOF endorsed candidates to achieve victory.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: Alvina Yeh // alvina@americasopportunityfund.com

Washington, D.C., February 6, 2012-- America’s Opportunity Fund (AOF) condemns the commercial aired during yesterday’s Super Bowl from Michigan Senate candidate, Pete Hoekstra. The commercial depicting a young Asian American woman speaking in broken English and set in a presumed Chinese countryside perpetuates negative stereotypes and is disrespectful to the Asian American community. It is unfortunate that Hoekstra decided to target his opponent Debbie Stabenow using tasteless anti-Asian sentiment.

In addition to his commercial, Hoekstra’s website, “Debbie Spend it Now”, is deeply offensive. Designed with images full of stereotypes, it’s disturbing that Hoekstra does not realize how insulting the website is for Asian Americans, particularly Chinese Americans.

“It is deeply disappointing that Mr. Hoekstra chose to use such inappropriate and vitriolic tactics in his campaign. The ad’s negative implications toward Asian Americans are simply uncalled for,” said AOF Chair, Norman Mineta. “It is a shame that Mr. Hoekstra felt the need to make political statements at the expense of a community with such a long and accomplished history of contributions in our country”.

In light of Hoekstra’s campaign, AOF strongly urges others to not base their political ads on xenophobic rhetoric. AOF insists on a formal apology from the Hoekstra campaign. In addition, AOF would like Mr. Hoekstra to take down the offensive website and commercial. Negatively stereotyping a community only leads to more aggravation, when candidates should be focused on what they will do to help improve the country for all those who live in it. 

America's Opportunity Fund (AOF) is a 501 C (4) Political Action Committee that provides opportunities for candidates, and communities of color, to participate fully in the electoral process at the federal and statewide level.

The goals of AOF are to affect a marked increase in the number of elected officials who embrace and understand the needs of communities of color; generate significant funds to support its mission in targeted states throughout the country; increase voter visibility and participation to support AOF endorsed candidates to achieve victory.

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