[Hu's On first | Michelle Malkin's "hatred of Asian Entrepeneurs"]Just spotted this facebook page condemning Marion Barry’s call to stop Asians from starting “dirty” businesses in DC and replacing them with properly colored owners. That’s what they did in Russia and Germany when they got annoyed with Jewish neighbors, where they called it a “pogram”. My position has always been we need to end hate, not simply reverse who gets permission to hate whom. This is especially true of Asians who are accused of being exploiters as much as Asians complain of suffering at the hand of of white-dominated society, and I call for Asians to steer clear of what I call “race marxism” which seeks to blame all ills on one race (white and sometimes Asians) being unfair to another one (blacks, hispanics, native americans, and occasionally Asians). The old racist neo-nazi right which grew under the umbrella of Willis Carto once promoted armband and hood-wearing David Duke. Today white nationalist websites like Stormfront still favor libertarian-speaking candidates who are apologists for Iran and Al Queda in addition to the Confederacy under the cover of the internet. But Asians also need to watch for black nationalists from the left as well as the white nationalist right. Both sides are promoting their own candidates for office, who are more than happy to target Asians along with the Jews who were largely targeted by the right. Asians would do well to observe groups like ADL Anti-Defamation League who aren’t afraid to call out conspiracy spewing hate outlets like the American Free Press and Veterans Today for what they are rather than joining the racial left as many did in the 60s and 70s.Hat tip to associate prof Larry Shingawa who is on my facebook stream, but not yet as popular as George Takei(1.5M likes). Asian Week hasn’t yet signed on, but I think it’s worth posting as a column. update: ABC News Clipvideo platform video management video solutions video playerOf course there are still apologists for Afrocentrism: Marcus WoodMarion Barry is right! Stop selling TRASH food or move on. I really wish black people were unified like years past. Boycotting these businesses is the constructive thing to do.Like · · Maria Leon-Hillwhat is there to apologize for ??? what did he say that was so WRONG….he doesnt want anymore of those places in his ward and he wants to support more black businesses……WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE???aria Leon-Hill and my point is everytime we promote BLACK businesses in this area, somebody else has to get out …it just so happens to be these fast food, fried this and fried that stores……so i guess that’s thatby Public Demands Marion Barry Apologize to APA Community on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:51pm ·bit.ly/aapi-mbarryAs members of local and national organizations committed to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States, the undersigned organizations condemn District of Columbia Councilmember Marion Barry’s recent remarks regarding Asian-owned businesses at a campaign event in Washington, DC. On April 3, at his Ward 8 primary election victory party, Councilmember Barry made the following statement, “We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops … They ought to go. I’m going to say that right now.” Given Councilmember Barry’s previous commitment to civil rights, we are particularly disappointed by these comments. While Councilmember Barry has recently indicated that he was “sorry for offending the Asian community,” we call upon him to provide a sincere apology and ensure meaningful engagement with our communities to improve the well-being of all individuals in the District.Councilmember Barry’s statement is of serious concern because it undermines the notion that developing the District of Columbia’s economy and neighborhoods is in the interest of all communities, regardless of national origin or ethnic background. Numerous institutions, from small businesses to non-profit organizations, as well as individuals, provide vital services and job opportunities, contribute their tax dollars, and engage in civic and political life within the city. Within the District of Columbia, according to 2007 data, Asians own 5.9% of businesses, joining other communities in strengthening the economy. Rather than acknowledging and appreciating the contributions that Asian businesses, alongside other racial and ethnic communities, have made to the city, Councilmember Barry’s remarks appear to fan the flames of racial divisions and imply that Asian Americans are not invested in developing a robust economy that benefits all residents.Our organizations are also extremely concerned that remarks such as these can perpetuate stereotypes of Asians taking jobs away from other Americans, which can fuel racism and animosity towards community members. In fact, individuals of Asian descent are frequently blamed for the economic woes that this country has faced when perceptions are fostered that our community is thriving in this economy at the expense of other minority communities with whom we work and live alongside.In light of these concerns, we call upon Councilmember Barry to provide a meaningful apology and officially retract his statement; refrain from engaging in harmful rhetoric regarding Asian and other immigrant communities; and develop meaningful relationships with our communities in the District of Columbia to understand the contributions and challenges of community members. Our organizations also view this as a prime opportunity to work with Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmembers on the “One City, One Future” initiative. We look forward to proactively identifying next steps that we can take together to continue to create more diverse and growing economy for all residents.Local Endorsing OrganizationsAsian American LEAD (AALEAD)Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC AreaAsian Pacific American Labor Alliance – DC Chapter (APALA-DC)Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC)Dana Tai Soon Burgess & CoDC Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) CaucusKhushDCKorean American Drycleaners AssociationKorean American Grocers Association of Greater Washington DC (KAGRO-DC)Many Languages One VoiceNational Organization of Vietnamese American Leaders of Greater Washington DCNetwork of South Asian Professionals (NetSAP DC)South Asian American Bar Association – DC (SABA-DC)Washington Area Liquor Retailers Association (WALRA)National Endorsing OrganizationsAPIAVoteAsian American Action FundAsian American Justice Center, Member of Asian American Center for Advancing JusticeAsian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)Council of Korean AmericansJapanese American Citizens League (JACL)National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC)National Asian Pacific American Center on Aging (NAPCA)National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse (NAPAFASA)National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD)OCASikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)Southeast Asia Action Resource Center (SEARAC)For further information or inquiries, contact Sapna Pandya, Executive Director of Many Languages One Voice at or 202-621-0001.