Wokeism Context: Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has been getting slammed by some on the left for his opening Judiciary Committee comments to federal circuit court judge nominee Lucy Koh. As a preamble to his questions, he complimented her as a Korean-American, noting the community’s traditional “hard-work ethic.” Then he said: “I congratulate you and your people.” Then came the knee-jerk criticism. To wit: “Even as a compliment, assigning any trait to a whole community is the definition of prejudice.” That was Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus. Or: “At minimum, he owes Judge Koh an apology.” That was Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee adviser Kurt Badella, who should be doing the apologizing.
No, this wasn’t Mickey Rooney with an unconscionably insulting Asian caricature in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” This wasn’t Jon Gruden with an old email that trafficked in an insulting black racial stereotype. And this really wasn’t woke; this was a joke, only unfunny and unfair. Political correctness on ‘roids. Doesn’t intent, let along content, matter?
BTW, Sen. Grassley was saluting Judge Koh for being the first female Korean American circuit judge in U.S. history. And Grassley’s daughter-in-law is Korean-American.