We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com.
—
WORDS MATTER
As someone who is part of the local Asian community who has heard from massage therapy owners being negatively affected by this rhetoric, I am communicating that this has caused harm (“Combating human trafficking,” Feb. 20). Please consider referencing the businesses as illicit massage parlors – which you have done most times – that could be involved in human trafficking and victimizing Asian women. The fact that they are being marketed as Asian massage parlors in itself stereotypes Asian massage establishments, staining the long history of Chinese medicine and healing methods in which we take pride.
There is also the fact that race is rarely highlighted when writing about a business, especially when it comes to white-owned businesses. How is it that some races become hyper-visible when news agencies routinely don’t mention race for the most part overall? Any business owner, regardless of race, is free to use Chinese characters in their branding. Whether or not it is appropriate is another conversation.
There is also no proof that there are no illicit massage parlors that involve non-Asian workers, so you are using assumption and generalization here, again, causing harm to the Asian community. I appreciate the article using the term “illicit massage parlors” most of the time, and I ask that you use “Asian” only when you talk about the women who may be forced to work there, not as a denominator for the businesses themselves. This would highlight their marginalized identity as they are victimized by and are survivors of horrendous human trafficking and sex trafficking crimes, calling attention to the fact that we need to dedicate resources to help them.
In characterizing all Asian-owned/involved massage parlors with criminality, it reinforces broader stereotypes that affect other Asian-owned businesses in the area. Similar stereotyping harmed Asian-owned restaurants and businesses during the pandemic, most recently, though these patterns of thought have also been used during World War II in order to disenfranchise Japanese Americans, and in the 19th century to devalue Chinese American labor.
The words we use matter, and when discussing such an important issue in a divided time, they must be used responsibly. Please consider referring to the now-closed businesses with terms like “illicit,” “illegal” or “noncompliant” rather than only broad ones like “Asian parlors.” Otherwise, it portrays a picture of racism and casts the Asian race as the problem, when in reality, those who should be held accountable are owners (again, often white) and patrons who cause and engage in the suffering of survivors of human trafficking.
As journalists, you have the great job of informing the public, and it also comes with the responsibility of not causing harm to our community. At a time when the Asian community and other immigrant communities face increased xenophobia and discrimination, I sincerely ask that our voices be heard and our opinions be valued. You have the power in making the necessary corrections and to alleviate harm.
Lingling Liu
Springfield
—
THE WOMEN MATTER
Shutting down these places without actually doing anything to help the women and girls working there isn’t accomplishing anything. What did the city, law enforcement or anyone do to find these women (who apparently all disappeared when the places were closed, according to the article), get them legitimate shelter, counseling or legal representation? They will just be moved someplace else, which solves nothing.
Zuzu Casey
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
—
ZONING MATTERS
Who knew you should check zoning before spending a measly couple of million on a property? It would appear the epic fail was on the behalf of the property purchaser (“Manufacturing operations moving to Clinton,” Feb. 27).
It is sad that the city of Springfield couldn’t get this resolved in an amicable fashion for Kwik-Wall, but ultimately it is the burden of the purchaser to make sure the property is zoned for the intended use.
In this case, failure to plan led to a plan for failure.
Terry Young
Springfield
This article appears in The future of electric vehicles.
