08/10/2021
Dear Fellow Chinese Americans and Friends of the Chinese American Community:
The Delaware Chinese American Association (DCAA) and the Chinese American Community Center (CACC) of Delaware have issued the following statement calling for the immediate resignation of Rep. Gerald Brady. The statement has been sent to Governor Carney, members of the Delaware General Assembly, and members of the media. We ask and thank you for your support in our united fight against racism and s*xism.
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Dear Governor Carney and Members of the Delaware General Assembly:
We are writing on behalf of the entire Chinese American Community in Delaware regarding the extremely hurtful and dangerous remarks made by Rep. Gerald Brady about Chinese Americans and, in particular, Chinese American women, in his email on June 27, 2021.
As you are well aware, the Asian American community around the country is still trying to recover from the wounds afflicted by waves of racially motivated hatred and violence over the last year and a half. Mr. Brady’s use of racial slurs against Chinese people and his characterization of Chinese women as prostitutes dealt another severe blow to our collective hearts and minds. It is yet another painful reminder of the racial, cultural, and gender biases and bigotry that many minority communities continue to struggle with each day.
Mr. Brady’s remarks are especially reprehensible and dangerous coming from a state legislator. These remarks are not just a slip-of-the-tongue; instead, they reflect his deep-rooted racist and misogynistic views about Chinese Americans and Chinese American women. We should all be alarmed by the disturbing similarity between Mr. Brady’s derogatory depiction of Chinese women and the reason given by Robert Aaron Long for targeting women of Asian descent in his senseless killing spree in Atlanta this March. Anyone who harbors such misguided and dangerous notions should not be in any position of power, let alone serving in the state legislature that is supposed to make laws to serve and protect the citizens of Delaware.
Equally appalling to his remarks are Mr. Brady’s responses in the aftermath of his remarks being made public. Instead of directly reaching out and apologizing to the Chinese American community that he so deeply hurt, he chose to hide behind a statement as a way of apology and offered not to run for reelection next year. This is woefully inadequate and demonstrates his failure to comprehend the extent of the damage he has caused and a lack of sincerity and urgency in repairing these damages. One more day of his remaining in office is one more reminder of the insult and danger he represents to the Chinese American community, and it is one more day when we have to explain to our young children what “chink broad” means and why anyone equating their mothers and sisters to s*x workers is allowed the dignity to serve out his current term in the state legislature.
We believe that Mr. Brady is no longer fit for office as a state legislator, and we call for his immediate resignation. We ask for your support in this endeavor. Please note that we take on this fight with no political agenda whatever. We are driven by one motive only: the building of a diverse, tolerant, just, and prosperous society for all. Our response would be exactly the same regardless of Mr. Brady’s political affiliation. However, the fact that he hails from the party and the home state of the current President of the United States adds to the severity of the issue at hand. President Biden has repeatedly called for unity and inclusion in trying to heal our nation’s deep racial divides, and he has made the protection and advancement of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities a legislative and executive priority of his administration. Mr. Brady’s repulsive behavior represents a dangerous deviation from these efforts and initiatives. We have completely lost our confidence in his ability to pass the right legislation and set the right tone at the top and to be a role model for citizens, especially our young people, in the state of Delaware.
Over the past month, we have received an outpouring of support from our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow minority groups and organizations both in and outside the state of Delaware. We are not alone in this fight against racism and discrimination and for inclusivity and equality. We are determined to see this fight through. We look forward to you providing support and demonstrating much-needed leadership in this important matter.
Sincerely yours,
Members of the Boards of Directors
Delaware Chinese American Association (DCAA)
Chinese American Community Center (CACC) Delaware
