Aloha Mai Kakou~
I am sending this to you because it seems that CBS is not answering any calls on this issue and that I find disturbing.
During a Sunday Afternoon Football game between the Denver Broncos and the Tennessee Titans sports commentator Kevin Harlan made a rude comment that has offended many in the Hawaiian community both in Hawaii and on the Continent. The CBS announcer (Harlan) said that Chuck Cecil showed “the Hawaiian peace sign” when the coach flipped the ref off. This is not a Hawaiian Peace sign; this is a rude and derogatory gesture that has been cultivated by a mainstream society. To imply that Hawaiian’s are the originators of this gesture is absurd. Had he intimated that it was an African American, Hispanic or any other mainstream ethnicity there would have been press conferences and front page apologies. But, because the Hawaiian’s are a small and mostly un-recognized people they have been on the short end of a lot of misconceptions.
I am quite positive that most of you, if not all, have visited Hawaii, the Hawaiian are a proud and welcoming people. They have welcomed more visitors to their home than most States in the Union. Hawaii and it’s people have welcomed and hosted the NFL for years. The players have had an enjoyable post season retreat with their families and friends. I feel that Kevin Harlan needs to make a public apology to all Hawaiians near and far.
I am asking you to please encourage Kevin Harlan to make a public apology in a national forum since he didn’t have any problem (so it would seem) making a derogatory remark in that forum in the first place.
E malama pono,
Lynette K Asperin
President,
Pi`ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado
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