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Home arrow Media/Press arrow Press Releases arrow OCA PRAISES APPOINTMENT OF FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN IVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT, DISMAYED BY STUDENT-RUN SATIRI
OCA PRAISES APPOINTMENT OF FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN IVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT, DISMAYED BY STUDENT-RUN SATIRI Print E-mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        
 
12 March 2009
 
Sarah Smith | Communications Manager
 
 
Washington, DC-OCA, a national organization of over 80 chapters and affiliates dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, praises the recent appointment of Dr. Jim Yong Kim as president of Dartmouth College. The Korean-American Harvard medical school professor and global and social health care champion is the first Asian American Ivy League President.  
 
OCA also expresses disappointment in the recent satirical article that was published by the Generic Good Morning Message, a Dartmouth student e-publication, referring to Kim as a "Chinaman" and warning the campus that "another hard-working American's job will be taken by an immigrant willing to work in substandard conditions."  
 
There is a long history of discrimination that is perpetuated by reinforcing unfair and inaccurate stereotypes, even when intended as satire. OCA firmly believes it is unacceptable that the message was published and we are pleased to see that the administration and a majority of students understand the harmful effects of such characterizations.   
 
Dr. Kim's appointment should be celebrated as yet another milestone in the field of education, but the message published by Dartmouth students illustrate the need for ongoing dialogue and future events involving the entire education community in which Asian Pacific Americans are more accurately and equitably represented.  
 
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