The Media Action Network for Asian Americans has run a years-long campaign over the history of racist comments from the former “Tonight Show” host, according to a press release he shared on Thursday with CNN.
MANAA said it has been complaining for nearly 15 years about Leno’s comments. The group said that in a recent Zoom call between Leno, MANAA leader Guy Aoki, President Rob Chan and Vice President Lawrence Lim, the comedian expressed his remorse.
“At the time I made these jokes, I really thought they were harmless,” said Leno in a press release jointly with MANAA. “I was mocking our enemy North Korea and, like most jokes, there was a touch of truth in them.”
CNN contacted representatives from Leno and MANAA for further comments.
In 2002, Leno was documented as having made jokes about Chinese and Koreans eating dogs and the comments have continued over the years.
According to the MANAA press release “The day after the first of these jokes in February 2002, the then Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC, of which MANAA is one of the founding members) chaired Karen Narasaki and the Executive Director of Korean American Coalition had a conference call with Leno, who insisted that some Koreans ate dogs. “
“Whenever we received a complaint, there would be two sides to the discussion: ‘We need to deal with this’ or ‘Screw it if they don’t understand a joke,'” said Leno, quoted in the press release. . “Many times I sided with the latter, even when in my heart I knew it was wrong.”
“I do not see this particular case as another example of a culture of cancellation, but a legitimate mistake that was made on my part. MANAA was very kind to accept my apologies, ”he said.
“I hope that the Asian-American community also accepts that and I hope to be able to live up to your expectations in the future.”