Seeing Red Over Rep. Betty Brown

I’m a bit late on the “Asians should change their names” story. But I do have the “on vacation” and “under the weather” excuse.

Texas state representative Betty Brown (R-Terrell, in North Texas) caused a ruckus on Tuesday by saying, during testimony about voter ID legislation, that Asians would have an easier time of getting along if they simply changed their names.

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?”

If anyone deserves a double limerick, it’s Rep. Betty Brown:

Seeing Red Over Rep. Betty Brown
By Madeleine Begun Kane

If your name hails from Asia, it’s hard.
So don’t bitch if your ballot is barred.
Said Rep. Brown, “Change your name,”
Cuz your name is to blame
For confusing us. What a canard!

Please take heed if your name’s Cho or Wu,
And here’s what I think you should do:
Simply pity Rep. Brown.
She’s a prejudiced clown.
La femme est chauvine et sans clue.

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6 Responses to “Seeing Red Over Rep. Betty Brown”

  1. Joyce T. says:

    Wonderful. An apropros rebuke.

  2. madkane says:

    Thanks, Joyce!

  3. Kiran says:

    As an Indian I totally understand the racism here.

    My friend was also victim of racism. His name was also distorted at work. But he never agreed to racism even at the cost of his job. Read his incident on url. Very inspiring.

  4. madkane says:

    Thanks for your input, Kiran.

  5. MC says:

    Learn Chinese??? Chinese people have horribly difficult names like Lee and Chin and Wong. This woman is a moron.

  6. madkane says:

    She sure is, MC!