We’re doing everything we can to fight racism, but will it ever be enough?
I hope I delivered those words in a very virtuous font.
But judging by a new CNN op-ed, I may not have.
Posted April 8th, “Karate, Wonton, Chow Fun: The End of ‘Chop Suey’ Fonts” schools America on the racism of lettered design.
The article begins with a test:
Here’s a thought experiment: Close your eyes and imagine the font you’d use to depict the word “Chinese.”
So how’d it look? Did you envision an alphabet rife with “the swingy, wedge-shaped strokes you’ve seen on restaurant signs, menus, take-away boxes and kung-fu movie posters?”
If so, well, your diagnosis ain’t good.
That type of writing — the piece poses — has been a “typographical shortcut for ‘Asianness.’”
As it turns out, the use of lettering that looks supposedly Chinese to reference things that are supposedly Chinese…is cringe-y:
“It’s hard not to cringe at the Chinese stereotypes bundled up with each font package — especially when seen through the lens of today’s heightened vigilance toward discrimination and systemic racism. Critics believe that using chop suey typefaces is downright racist, particularly when deployed by non-Asian creators.”
“Chop suey” fonts, to be clear, have been “cooked up” by type designers in the West.
That would make sense, I suppose, since they’re English fonts.
Read the rest at: redstate.com
