A former New Britain mayor has come under fire for comments he posted on social media that are deemed derogatory to the Asian community.
Already politicians from both parties have condemned former Mayor Tim Stewart’s comments.
“These constant racist comments are something I’ve heard so many times in my life,” said Jenny Heikkila Diaz, co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Coalition.
Diaz was infuriated by Stewart’s Facebook comments, in which, in a screenshot provided by the New Britain Democrats, the former mayor responded to a post about a Trump campaign claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Ohio.
After the original poster wrote, “For now they’re leaving the dog alone,” Stewart replied, “They’ll need to bring in an Asian for that,” with a laughing emoji.
Diaz said this only reinforces harmful stereotypes that Asian Americans are seen as perpetual foreigners.
“This is part of an ongoing history of us being marginalized, marginalized, excluded and dehumanized,” she said.
Mike Keogh of West Hartford said the comments were deeply hurtful to many in the Asian community who suffer from bullying in schools.
“I’ve been called a dog eater. This is a reality that a lot of us grew up with,” he said.
Several local and state Democrats condemned the comments and called on Stewart to apologize and resign from the city’s school construction committee.
“As a representative of New Britain’s diverse community, I am appalled by Mr. Stewart’s racist comments. His behavior is unacceptable and he must be held accountable for his actions. He should immediately resign from his position on the School Construction Committee,” Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-New Britain) said in a statement.
Republican Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield said the remarks were an insult to Asian Americans and vulnerable people.
“In an age of misinformation, social media and fake news, the potential for humiliating stereotypes and temptations to spread is particularly dangerous and impactful. It sets up a dangerous and disturbing trajectory towards risky and harmful behaviour,” he said.
Stewart responded to NBC Connecticut by saying he had “no comment” on the Facebook post.
This is not the first time the former mayor has come under fire for a comment he made on Facebook: In 2019, he wrote a comment that was criticized as misogynistic in response to a photo of a female council member wearing white clothing.
Mayor Erin Stewart denounced her father at the time, tweeting, “To all who ask: I am embarrassed and humiliated.”
Diaz said that apart from the former mayor’s post, claims that Haitian immigrants eat pets were equally disgusting and harmful.
Mayor Erin Stewart and the New Britain Republican Town Committee did not respond to requests for comment.
