Purdue Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon apologizes for racist remarks

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An Indianas Purdue University system chancellor apologized on Wednesday for making offensive and insensitive remarks at a commencement ceremony last week when he mocked speakers of Asian languages.

Thomas L. Keon, the chancellor of Purdue University Northwestern, was speaking at a graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Well, all I can say is, Hijabaway ya wum, ya-ah, Keon said after approaching the lectern, in what was supposed to be an imitation of an Asian language. It’s kind of my Asian version of hers, Keon added before pausing, referencing an earlier speech by local radio host James Dedelow.

In an address presented just before Keon’s speech, Dedelow said he sometimes uses made-up language on the air and when talking to his family.

Keon issued an apology after the video of his remarks sparked angry reactions online. I am very sorry for my unexpected and improvised response to another speaker, because my words caused confusion, pain and anger, he said.

In the statement, Keon promised to take steps to prevent such missteps from happening in the future.

He also noted the formation of a school task force that aims to encourage a welcoming climate and culture and increased diversity in the student body. We are all human. I made a mistake, and I assure you that I did not intend to hurt and that my comments do not reflect my personal values ​​or our institutional values, he declared.

Keon and Purdue University Northwestern officials could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

The Purdue University Board of Trustees, which oversees Purdue University Northwestern, also could not immediately be reached. He said through a spokesperson that he was aware of Keon’s statements and had accepted his apology, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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Others were less receptive.

Sherrilyn Ifill, the former president and director-attorney of the NAACP’s legal defense fund, called Keon’s apology woefully inadequate and questioned whether Purdue University’s board of trustees really cared. satisfied. She also noted that others at the ceremony laughed on camera at Keon’s words: Did they issue statements of remorse? she said on Twitter.

Stephanie Chang, a Democratic senator from Michigan State, said she’s gotten used to hearing this kind of ignorance, but not from a high-ranking education official, she tweeted. in reaction to a recording of Keon’s remarks.

The Asian American Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, said Keon humiliated Asian American students, while undermining their sense of belonging and safety on campus. The foundation said it expects the university to deliver a comprehensive plan to fulfill its promises to help address issues faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and prevent another occurrence. .

Norman Chen, the foundations’ chief executive, said in an emailed statement that Keons’ posting normalizes the narrative that Asian Americans are perpetual foreigners and represents an example of casual racism in the form of jokes. .

Keons’ remarks further fuel the current climate of anti-Asian hatred, he added.

Reports of violence and crimes targeting the Asian community in the United States have increased over the past two years amid rising anti-Asian hatred that some experts say has been fueled in part by the coronavirus pandemic. coronavirus. In a survey released this year by the Pew Research Center, 6 in 10 Asian adults said violence against Asian Americans was increasing, while 7 in 10 Asian Americans said they fear being threatened or attacked. .

In an open-ended Pew questionnaire last year, most of those who perceived growing violence against Asian Americans attributed it to racism, former President Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric and a trend of some Americans to blame Asians for the coronavirus pandemic.

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