'Chink' comment causes outrage

A US comic has sparked outrage after using the word 'chink' on a US chat show.

Chinese groups are demanding an apology following comments made by Sarah Silverman on NBC's late-night Conan O'Brien show.

Talking about evading jury duty, she said that her friend told her to write something inappropriate on the form "like 'I hate chinks'."

But she added that she didn't want to be seen as racist, so "just filled out the form and wrote 'I love chinks' - and who doesn't?'

The comments offended the Media Action Network for Asian Americans.

President Guy Aoki said: "There is no excuse for something like this to have made the air. It's not constructive to use such a hateful word and play it off for laughs. It just gives people permission to continue to use it.

"She obviously chose to target a group of people that she felt she could get away with insulting. We're not standing for it."

Published: 18 Jul 2001