Racist jokes about AAPIs are no laughing matter

SCREEN CAPTURE

Tony Hinchcliffe, left, schocked comedian Peng Dang, right, who introduced him.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe found out the hard way that it is not alright to  use racist slurs about an Asian stand-up comic who introduced him at a comedy club.

Chinese American comedian Peng Dang posted a video of the incident on Twitter on May 11, 2021. The video clip has sparked outrage on social media, including calls to “cancel Tony Hinchcliffe.”

After Dang introduced Hinchcliffe during a May show  at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin, Texas, Hinchcliffe took the stage and said, “How about one more time for the filthy little f****** ch**k that was just up here? All you f*****g race traitors are hooping and hollering, I was back there watching you puking in a f****g bucket.” 

Hinchcliffe then used an exaggerated Asian accent and said, “Oh, we make gunpowder. Oh, you want extra soy sauce. Oh, you borrow money from us.” Switching to his regular voice, Hinchcliffe said, “And you guys are just eating it up. You f*****g p******.” The clip then ends.

Hinchliffe, known for his live comedy podcast Kill Tony and appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience, has not addressed the controversy around his racist comments, but the controversy has already led to consequences for the comedian. Antone’s nightclub in Austin tweeted, “we are no longer working with Tony or hosting any of his shows. Antone’s is strongly against hateful speech and racism of any kind.” 

He was also scheduled to perform with Joe Rogan at The Creek and the Cave in Austin on May 12, but the owner said on Facebook he cancelled Hinchcliffe's appearance.  TMZ also reports the comic's talent agency, WME, will no longer be representing him.

During an Oscars award show in 2016, a year after the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag went viral and racial sensitivities were still raw, comedian/host Chris Rock thought it was OK to make controversial jokes about Asians, using Asian American youngsters posing as accountants as the butt of his jokes. He was quickly taken to task for his tasteless jokes and Asian Americans, including those in the entertainment industry, denounced his attempt at humor at the expense of Asians. 

At a time when Asian Americans are being attacked just for being Asians, Hinchcliffe's attempt at humor could have deadly consequences and perpetuates the impression shared by racists that AAPI are less than human and it is OK to joke about them, ... or stab them, or throw acid on their faces, or beat them to the ground.

Dang, an immigrant, waited a week to post the video after having an internal debate with himself, he explains, because he didn't want people to think he was seeking attention or looking to "destroy" a fellow comedian's career. But he eventually felt confident in his decision. 

"We always try to overlook racism and try to keep our heads down and be successful thinking eventually this is going to be over," he says. "But look at what that has gotten us, Asian people are still getting attacked in this country."