To the Editor:
I am writing with regards to the blatant, negative stereotypes that David Berenson uses in his daily cartoon strip, "Bear Bones." In the January 10, 1997 issue of The Dartmouth, the comic strip portrayed an androgynous Asian character with glasses as a nerdy, asexual student who is only concerned about his/her GPA.
I also recall at least two other instances in the past where Berenson used similar geeky portrayals of Asians with glasses and "bowl-cuts" -- on one occasion calling a female Asian, "Kim Lee," and on another occasion calling a male Asian, "Lee Kim."
The caricaturization of Asian people not only perpetuates negative stereotypes in an irresponsible way but also makes for poor, cliched humor. The use of negative stereotypes in Berenson's comic is not only limited to Asians; I have seen fraternity members, "stoners," and other types of people ridiculed as well.
I realize that Berenson's intent in using blatant, offensive stereotypes may perhaps be as satire. In fact, he may well defend his use of stereotypes by saying that all groups of people, including Asians, have been ridiculed in the past in some way or another.
Nevertheless, I have never seen African-Americans portrayed as clowns or incompetent or Native Americans as alcoholics. Perhaps it is because Berenson, and other people as well, believe that these particular stereotypes are politically, morally and socially dangerous depictions that are well beyond the limits of satiric ridicule.
I hope he realizes that portraying Asians as asexual, GPA-crazy nerds or using other negative stereotypes is no less dangerous, irresponsible, ignorant and socially unacceptable than portraying Blacks as hypersexual, dumb buffoons.
For those people who think that racism doesn't exist, here's another clear example of sheer ignorance that slips right under our noses, published daily in the campus newspaper, with most of the student body not giving a damn.
