SAYS EDITOR ANTHONY PIGNATARO IS AN ARROGANT RACIST
I am a kupuna, as are many of my co-workers. We read your recent article (“Dancing, Dolls and Dementia,” Dec. 6, 2012) while at work, and were all surprised at your racial remarks. What are you thinking?? You never mentioned your own ethnicity, or that of your host, that day, but THREE times you pointed out that clients were “Asian.”
“Asian” is as vague as saying “western” or whatever. It also is degrading to the person of whom you speak, because each has his own culture and ethnicity. Mentioning it at all was disgraceful. It has nothing to do with who each person is. You also mentioned only one of the clients by name, but made sure to point out that he, too, was “Asian.”
Your article contained some meaningful information, but was overshadowed by your insensitivity, which came off as arrogant. Think about that.
-Malia Mills, via email
Anthony Pignataro responds: I used the term “Asian”–which, like “western,” is generally not at all considered to be denigrating–to give at least some kind of descriptive image of Maui Adult Day Care Center clients since privacy restrictions kept me from revealing their names or any specific identifying details (the family of Arthur was the only one that allowed me to use even his first name). I am sorry if that offended you.
*****
SAYS PIGNATARO IGNORES FACTS
I realize the Maui Times [sic] doesn’t allow such rebuttal to what you write. Do you actually read and investigate both sides of a story, or do you just “wing it?” I’m trying to educate myself on writing better, so please tell me where I seem to be rambling to you, or filibustering, as you reported (Coconut Wireless, Dec. 6, 2012)… Was I going too fast? Too slow? Is our response to the second subpoena too long for you?
Sorry. Just tell me where to edit. I can use all the help I can get, especially from a professional such as yourself. I wouldn’t want to burden you though, with all the reading attached. Whew. No rush. Just keep shootin (sic) from the hip until you have time. You don’t have to deal with responding to the facts if you just say I ramble on. Much easier.
Others who were there understood me perfectly, and actually thought I did okay. But I can always be better, so thank you in advance for any de-rambling advise you may have based on the attached. PleaSe ax-use my spelLink erRoars. I only born Wailuku an wen Kaunoa School, so sumtime i kno spells too goods.
-WMSA Board Chairman Tom Cannon, via email
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