Ted Turner, founder of the Cable News Network (CNN) in the US released a statement to the Chinese Community, openly apologizing for his use of the term "chinaman", On March 13.

He said, "As many people know, I do not believe in any form of prejudice or discrimination and was unaware that the term 'Chinaman' was derogatory and hurtful to the Asian Pacific American community." He said he wants to increase "dialogue between different communities."

On March 8, Turner was interviewed by Ronn Owens, KGO radio host of the Bay Area Council. When asked before an audience of 1,000 business and community leaders about how to get China's cooperation in reducing greenhouse gases, Turner said: "The Chinese are very smart. Just think: have you ever met a dumb Chinaman?"

Community leaders and officials at the council immediately called for an apology from Turner.

All parties responded quickly to the situation. The positive response of the Asian community in particular played a key role in solving this problem. Besides demanding an open apology from Turner, the Asian community asked the concerned Bay Area Council of San Francisco and Ronn Owens to invite leaders of the Asian community to explain why the term "Chinaman" was improper, and give people a better understanding of how to respect cultures of different communities.

By People's Daily Online