(May 23, 2002) — The apparent profusion of apathy among students at school is alarming in the least and more than just a little upsetting. In a recent discussion in Ira West’s current issues class about the controversial T-shirts that depicted stereotypical Chinese men in Laundromats with slogans such as “Wong Brothers Laundry Service: two Wongs can make it white,” many students thought that the whole issue was blown out of proportion. “Quote from stella.” Other slogans on the A&F shirts included: “Buddha Bash: Get Your Buddha on the Floor,” “Wok-N-Bowl—Let the Good Times Roll—Chinese Food & Bowling.” Racism is not yet taboo, and for students to complain that some people make too big of a deal of something that they find humorous is not only shallow, but also completely ignorant. If people had not protested against companies like Abercrombie and Fitch to discontinue its sales of the T-shirts depicting racist caricatures of Asians, others will become comfortable with the racist remarks and stereotypical graphics because a few found it “funny.” The first signs of racism should be stomped upon so that it does not have any room to eventually grow into a larger and potentially dangerous issue. The A&F controversy should not be taken as something trivial and as something that only impacts Asian Americans. Ignorance has no boundaries and by allowing these types of racist remarks slide by without a fight, we as students are telling those who generate these messages to the public that as long as a few find it funny, it is okay and will be accepted by our generation. Students in particular must take an active stance in killing racism in its beginning phases, even if it does not impact them directly. Those who do find these racist comments humorous should show respect toward those who take offense and not try to discourage them and their fight. Cheap laughs should never be generated at the expense of Buddhists or Asian Americans; it is both a heinous, blatant show of callowness as well as something that educated, tolerant people cannot afford to allow.