Dear CSA,
In an effort to publicize our upcoming New Year, New Love event to a wide and diverse audience, a blurb about the speed-dating was distributed over ALANA (African, Latino, Asian & Native American Programming Board), MGLC (Multicultural Greek Letter Council), and the LINK: Men’s Alliance listservs. It was brought to our attention that a certain individual replied to those three listservs by commenting that our event “could be good for all the dudes on the serve who want to conquer at least one Asian before you leave Cornell.” The individual has since publicly apologized.
These comments were seen as offensive because they portray women of Asian descent solely as sexual objects, which is reminiscent of pervasive and long-standing stereotypes that fetishize Asian women and lock them into a role of being exotic and submissive.
Please know that these stereotypes and attitudes will not be tolerated at our event. Though New Year, New Love is open to the entire Cornell community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or any other identity, we ask that all participants keep an open mind about the daters with whom they interact.
We hope that this unfortunate incident does not detract from your enjoyment of our Lunar New Year festivities. We plan on having a blast meeting new people, and making new friends!
Thank you,
Janelle Teng
CSA President
