I am writing in horrified response to Tom McMillan's article "Banzai! Place Your Bets: Zany game show back on television" (April 2). To permit him some credit, McMillan does superficially address the racist nature of the show by reporting that the show "often takes the stereotype too far and is more offensive than humorous, at times bordering on racist."

However, this is as far as his misinformed lens allows him to see. Banzai does not "often take the stereotype too far" nor does it "border on racist." It does take the stereotype too far and it is racist. There is a reason FOX "canned" the show. Over summer vacation, I joined hundreds of other angry Asian Americans on the streets of Los Angeles to protest the continuance if this offensive, insensitive, degrading display of entertainment. Perpetuating stereotypes of Asians in this light is not a source of humor but a mechanism of continuing anti-Asian racism. Comedy Central's decision to air the show supports and perpetuates the cycle of stereotypes.

MANAA, Media Action Network for Asian Americans held many protests and submitted petitions and letters requesting that the British-acquired show, which showcases the most offensive and negative Asian stereotypes, not be aired. Many of these complaints educated FOX network and the public that this show appeals and attracts a significant amount of disturbing people that enjoy seeing minorities and foreigners devoid of their own dignity.

The show creators exploit and capitalize on broken English in hopes that ignorant America will find it humorous. Throughout my childhood and even at Tufts, I am continually subjected to many abhorrent renditions of the stereotypical "Chinese babble" by obnoxious individuals seeking humor. I do not find it the least bit humorous.

McMillan disappoints me with his lack of understanding and presumptions. He chooses to quote the show in broken English saying, "you ah a winna! You ah a winna! BANZAI!" for no apparent reason. He continues throughout the rest of the article to make specific reference to the show's broken English and highlights the humor of it. McMillan emphasizes that the only discomfort caused by the show is due to the disorientation by the brightly colored screen, the flashing words, the two hosts, one dressed in supposed martial arts attire, and the voice-over.

To me and many of my Asian American friends, this show is discomforting on many different levels. Any one of my Asian American male friends will tell you that having a host who acts foolish and pretends to know karate will only add to the ridiculous amount of people that approach them cautiously asking if they know "Ka-ra-te." BANZAI uses cheap humor to entertain its audience through stereotypical depictions. The show contains negative images such as the geeky Japanese businessmen and a martial arts master whose manic expressions and annoying accents serve to entertain audiences much like "Amos n' Andy" did from a bygone era.

Due to the lack of representation of Asians in the media, this type of portrayal is the only one society sees, and one that it uses to label all Asians. The show encourages America, especially young America, to ridicule the accent that some Asian people have when speaking English.

Consequently, "BANZAI" diminishes Asians and Asian Americans into the image of the foreign foolish idiot. Through perpetuating the acceptance of racial stereotyping, the show only further strengthens the line dividing Asians and Asian Americans from American counterparts. I have already been accosted on numerous occasions by some ignorant individual screaming: "BANZAI!" in my face. It happened before this show aired and now that it is running, I can only imagine how many times I will have to hear it in my lifetime.

The part of McMillan's article that angers me the most is his statement that, "the show is funny, assuming that you can manage to overlook the circa-1940's Asian stereotypes. It'd be one thing if they got in the way of the humor, but they don't. They are the humor." Why should we have to overlook these contemporary stereotypes (they are not attached to the '40s -- they began in the 1800s, and have stayed ever since) just to be entertained? We should not have to.

There is a reason we do not see television game shows called "CRACK!" in which African Americans and Latinos commit crimes while celebrities guess how much time they will do. We as a society would not hesitate to acknowledge the racism, stereotyping, and the level of offensiveness a show like that would carry. We do not see game shows featuring other groups of minorities being exploited and mocked as a source of 'harmless entertainment'. Yet when it happens to Asians, it is up to the viewer to determine the level of offensiveness. McMillan finishes with, "It's not the only show to be outfitted with heavy racial humor, but it's probably the one whose use of stereotypes is the easiest to ignore."

Unfortunately, our society does not think it is "wrong" to display stereotypical and degrading representations of Asians and Asian Americans because, stereotypically, we will not "fight" back. I mean, isn't that why McMillan claims that this show "is the easiest [stereotype] to ignore?" Our society as a whole is numb to Asian discrimination.

We cannot continue to be silenced into acceptance. Without our protest, racism against Asians and Asian Americans will continue to be tolerated and unopposed. It is imperative that Asians and Asian Americans take a stand and end the racism against our community and eliminate false media representations. However, it is not just the sole responsibility of Asians and Asian Americans to speak out and react. Racism and discrimination affect us all and no one is immune; therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us to institute change and understanding.