ACTION ALERT: Stop Asian-Bashing by Illinois Car Dealer

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FOX Chicago has been running South Oak Dodge car dealer’s anti-Asian and xenophobic commercial. (http://www.southoakdodge.com/content/media.aspx) In this commercial, “SuperDon vs. Import Man,” a car dealer wearing a Superman outfit punches a fake sumo wrestler who demands that a shopper buy from him, using a mocking Asian accent. The “sumo wrestler” is wearing a sign with fake Asian script that reads "Import Man." The “sumo wrestler” goes flying through the air for the rest of the commercial.

Twenty-five years ago, these types of anti-Asian advertisements and publicity stunts (including the physical battering and destruction of Japanese-brand cars) eventually led to the beating death of Vincent Chin (two unemployed Detroit autoworkers accused Vincent of being Japanese and eventually chased him, held him down, and struck him multiple time with a baseball bat).

Please fight this racist and offensive advertising by CLICKING HERE (or copy and paste the message below). The following message will be sent to the Dodge dealer, a FOX Chicago manager, and the majority owner of Chrysler (Cerberus Capital Management).

To: dpeterson@southoakdodge.com
Cc: media@cerberuscapital.com
Cc: andrew.finlayson@foxchicago.com, steve.baron@foxnewschicago.com
Bcc: aai@aaichicago.org

Subject: Pull Asian-bashing South Oak Dodge commercial

South Oak Dodge Managers:

I have learned that your car dealership has been running an “Import Man” commercial. The anti-Asian sentiment, grotesque mockery of Asian people, and Asian-bashing nature of this commercial is offensive and harmful. In fact, twenty-five years ago, comparable anti-Japanese sentiment led to the eventual murder of Vincent Chin (two unemployed autoworkers in Detroit, believing that Vincent was Japanese, beat him to death with a baseball bat). You should immediately remove this anti-Asian and xenophobic ad from all media spots and your website.

Thank You.