National Public Radio is under fire on Twitter after phrasing Michelle Yeoh Oscar win as person who “Identifies as Asian.” “Michelle Yeoh wins Oscar for best actress making history as first person who identifies as Asian to win award,” NPR tweeted, which went viral with over 2 million views.

Born in Malaysia, Yeoh belongs to Hokkien and Cantonese descent while raised speaking English and Malay as per Encyclopedia Brittanica.

News report stoked controversy on social platform with several users pointing out that 60-year-old is simply an Asian woman. “Identifies as Asian? Are you kidding me? Does NPR identify as National Enquirer?” SmartBlocks CMO Mark Fidelman wrote.

“Delete your g— d—- account. She is Asian. She doesn’t ‘identify as’ Asian,” political commentator Ian Miles Cheong told NPR. Meanwhile, Twitter’s Community Notes also added context to NPR’s tweet.

“Tweet is factually correct but missing context to explain wording. Merle Oberon was first Asian woman nominated for Academy Award for Best Actress in 1935. Oberon hid her heritage to avoid discrimination. Michelle Yeoh, however is open about her Asian heritage.”–Agencies

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 15 2023

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