The normally quiet Chinese community is tonight making a lot of noise over what leaders are calling blanket racism. Their problem is with a headline article printed in the September 5th issue of the Multimedia newspaper, a small paper that originates in Orange Walk and is circulated in the north. The article is entitled “More Chinese Shops flooding Corozal” and in it the writer lashes out at Chinese Belizeans – or as they are referred to in the article – the quote: “Asiatic breed with slanted eyes.” The gist of the article is that Chinese Belizeans came here to help but because of their business practices - they are hurting the economy. It concludes that the only contribution they have made to the economy is, quote “supplying a greater clientele for weight control and cholesterol clinics.” Strong opinions but to President of the Belize Chinese Association Lee Mark Chang, it is naked racism.
Lee Mark Chang, President – Chinese Association
“And to come out and say the Chinese have no effect or no contributions to Belize is an outright ignorant remark. The whole article upsets me but the part that really sticks out is where he has made comparison with the Chinese and the Koreans and the Taiwanese as us having slant eyes. That is the part that really sticks out as a racist remark. The Chinese community has been in Belize from the early 1900s and we are in the 21st century. I thought racism and prejudice was way behind us already. So I think this is very much uncalled for.”
Keith Swift,
What do you think motivated this?
Lee Mark Chang,
“I guess it is just someone who probably has a business and cannot keep up with the competition.”
Keith Swift,
You use the word that this is racism, that is a very strong word. Do you think that’s really what it is?
Lee Mark Chang,
“I hope I am wrong but definitely from reading and my education here in Belize, definitely I see no other judgement on this article. We are just here to try and live as one. There are many many Chinese Belizeans born here in Belize. I think we boast of a population of 10,000 countrywide and I am hoping we can definitely bridge this gap and we can all live together as one Belize.”
The paper’s editor Elodio Aragon told us this evening that as the editor of the paper he accepts responsibility for the article. He says there is some truth to what was written but it could have been said quote “nicer.” He says he has spoken to Chinese leaders but won’t write a formal apology in the paper. He says he believes in the freedom of expression and that the controversy may spark a discussion on the role of Chinese people in Belize. He refused to reveal the name of the writer. Aragon is the head of the District Emergency Management Organization in Orange Walk and a former Minister of Education.
