Ching Chong Chinaman (City Lights Theater, San Jose) Issues Beyond Palo Alto, posted by Interesting, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Feb 6, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Here's a review of a a stage production in San Jose. It starts with the Wongs, a Chinese American family from Palo Alto..... We are famous! But how right are they? Web Link
Posted by Uncool, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Feb 7, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Hey, Duke University just suspended a fraternity house for giving Asian-themed parties because it offended the Chinese students, who in turn threatened to transfer there overpriced tuition to other schools. Is this play not just as offensive, if not more???
Posted by 3rd Generation Chinese, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 7, 2013 at 3:19 pm
The title is quite offensive to me and my husband but it sounds like a funny play. They should have chosen a less offensive name. There is a comedic play called Chinglish, which is an unoffensive title.
Re the Duke University Chinese-themed party, the theme in itself is not offensive to me, but I'm guessing the fake accents and jokes at the party would be quite offensive. I know of some whites who live here on the Peninsula with diversity and they toured Duke and felt there was an air of white elitism so they passed on the school and stayed in California.
Posted by duke hater, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Feb 7, 2013 at 4:12 pm
There's a big difference between this play's title and the Duke incident. This play was written by a Chinese-American and is presumably somewhat based on her life experiences. The Duke incident involved an all-white fraternity making fun of Asian stereotypes. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]