Jay Leno apologizes for joking about Asians, advocacy group says

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Media Action Network for Asian Americans has mounted a multi-year campaign regarding the history of racist remarks by the former “Tonight Show” host, according to a press release he shared Thursday with CNN.

Hatred haunts Asian Americans. Their fear points to a racial calculation that is far from over
The apology comes as violence has escalated against Asian and Asian Americans in the United States. Six Asian women were among those killed in shootings at three Atlanta-area spas last week, and a wave of anti-Asian hate reports have raised alarm bells nationwide.

MANAA said he had been complaining about Leno’s comments for nearly 15 years. The group said that during a recent Zoom call between Leno, MANAA chief Guy Aoki, President Rob Chan and Vice President Lawrence Lim, the comedian expressed remorse.

“At the time I made these jokes, I really thought they were harmless,” they quoted Leno in a joint press release with MANAA. “I was making fun of our enemy North Korea, and like most jokes, there was a sound of truth in them.”

CNN has reached out to both representatives for Leno and MANAA for further comment.

In 2002, Leno was documented as having joked about Chinese and Koreans eating dogs and the comments have continued over the years.

According to the MANAA press release “The day after the first of these jokes in February 2002, the president of the Coalition of Asian-Pacific American media (APAMC, of ​​which MANAA is a founding member), Karen Narasaki, and the director Korean American Coalition executive had a conference call with Leno, who insisted some Koreans eat dogs. “

The jokes became a matter of discussion in 2019 after Gabrielle Union’s controversial departure as a judge from “America’s Got Talent” in which she detailed what she said was a toxic work environment, including Leno who allegedly put the Asian employees uncomfortable making such a joke. MANAA cited Variety’s report on the allegation in its press release.

“Anytime we received a complaint, there would be two sides to the discussion: either ‘We need to take care of this” or “Fuck them if they can’t take a joke,” “Leno said in the statement. Press. . “Too often, I sided with him even though deep down I knew it was wrong.

“I do not see this particular case as another example of a culture of cancellation, but as a legitimate wrong that has been committed on my part. MANAA has been very gracious in accepting my apologies,” he said.

“I hope the Asian American community will be able to accept it as well, and I hope I can live up to their expectations in the future.”

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