On Wednesday, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation said it was outraged by the “blatant, racist and offensive stereotypes of Chinese Americans.”
“It is unconscionable that a news organization would sanction a segment that laughs at a community of people, including Watters ridiculing elderly Chinese Americans who were limited English-proficient,” the group said.
U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu, D-California, weighed in as well.
“Note to Bill O‘Reilly and Fox News: Your recent segment mocking Asian American voters and using every conceivable stereotype was, at best, racist and, at worst, really racist. I am not ’patient‘ or ’gentle‘ nor do I ’bow‘ when I say hello or know ’karate.' So let me gently say this: if you are not racist at heart, then you would apologize. Immediately,” Lieu said in a statement.
Asked for a response to critics, Fox directed attention to two Twitter posts Wednesday by Watters.
“As a political humorist, the Chinatown segment was intended to be a light piece, as all Watters World segments are,” he wrote.
“My man-on-the-street interviews are meant to be taken as tongue-in-cheek and I regret if anyone found offense,” Watters’ second tweet said.
