Honda Responds to Twitter Criticism By U.S. Representative Michael Honda (D-CA) Pacific Citizen[WEBSITE VERSION] April 2009
In defending San Jose's Japanese American Museum from attack by Sen. John McCain, who claimed that the Museum was not worth federal dollars, there occurred a Twitter shorthand error that I'd like to recognize for JACL members and offer an apology.
Using the new communication forum of Twitter, Sen. McCain had taken issue with earmark legislation that provided supplemental funding for the Japanese American Museum. The Museum had suffered a funding setback after the State of California, which previously promised funding, had to cancel funding due to budget cuts. And while the Museum is not in my 15th District, I was asked to respond as a JA and a supporter of the project.
Eager to defend the project for a host of reasons - long overdue recognition for JAs who served our country, tourism opportunities for our Japantown, and a recovery package for San Jose - I responded to McCain's Twitter feed. As a Twitter response only allows 140 characters, it made for an abbreviated shorthand and the concomitant use of a period that failed to communicate what I intended. It shows how our new communication technologies must be approached with caution and care lest shorthand give short shrift to cultural nuance.
I have always supported the JACL's efforts to eliminate the racial slur from being used in any way in this country. JAs have too long been the brunt of prejudiced language and I remain, as I have always been, in defense of our community on this matter.
U.S. Congressman Mike Honda 15th District San Jose, Calif.