San Francisco native Eileen Gu has faced a backlash for her decision to compete for China in freestyle skiing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. by Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
Debunk by Alvin Ja in San Francisco: Regarding “Star’s S.F. circle: Gu lives ‘to inspire’ ” (Front Page, Feb. 12): Eileen Gu has been battered with venomous accusations of being traitorous, selfish and unappreciative of America. Ann Killion and The Chronicle had the courage to go against the accusatory tide of mainstream media opinion about this tremendously talented and thoughtful student-athlete. Thank you for your effort to combat anti-Asian prejudice with your article.
However, I do wish to point out an instance of gratuitous and speculative China-bashing in an otherwise mainly factual piece. Killion writes: “… if the San Francisco-born woman runs afoul of Chinese authorities, her world could quickly change.”
This speculative statement is based on a false but widespread negative stereotype of “Chinese authorities.” On the other hand — based on fact and not an “if”— her world here in America has changed because she has run afoul of American anti-China opinion.
Alvin Ja, San Francisco
Johnson Choi Biz 