The Asian American Journalists Association Wants Jason Whitlock To Apologize

Calling Jason Whitlock's controversial tweet "inappropriate on so many levels," the Asian American Journalists Association has called for the Fox Sports columnist to issue an apology.

Whitlock has thus far ignored all criticism to his tweet, and it remains on his account as of 8:30 p.m. EDT. The AAJA's statement (rightfully) notes that his tweet "debased one of sports' feel-good moments."

I wouldn't expect an apology to be forthcoming, mostly because Whitlock sees absolutely nothing wrong with what he said. If he did, he'd have removed it by now. Neither does Fox Sports, else they'd have demanded he remove it. Full text of the AAJA MediaWatch statement is below.

Feb. 11, 2012

Dear Mr. Whitlock:

Where do we begin?

Let's start by saying that your tweet in the midst of the Jeremy Lin hoopla was inappropriate on so many levels. Certainly, it doesn't hold up to the conduct of responsible journalists, those in sports or otherwise, who adhere to standards of fairness, civility and good taste. Nor does it meet the standards of Fox Sports, with which you are associated.

Outrage doesn't begin to describe the reaction of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) to your unnecessary and demeaning tweet of Feb. 10 after the New York Knicks played the Los Angeles Lakers: "Some lucky lady in NYC is gonna feel a couple of inches of pain tonight."

Let's not pretend we don't know to what you were referring. The attempt at humor – and we hope that is all it was – fell flat. It also exposed how some media companies fail to adequately monitor the antics of their high-profile representatives. Standards need to be applied – by you and by Fox Sports.

The offensive tweet debased one of sports' feel-good moments, not just among Asian Americans but for so many others who are part of your audience.

Where do we go from here? How about an apology, Mr. Whitlock.

Sincerely, AAJA MediaWatch