Roast of Keyport Fire Chief Offends Chinese-American Organization

KEYPORT, NJ - What some are calling a well-intentioned farewell roast of the retiring Keyport fire chief has ruffled some feathers in the Asian-American community, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

The roast was done at a Jan. 28 dinner at the Gramercy Lakeside Manor in Hazlet in honor of Keyport volunteer fire Chief Eugene Eng, who is retiring. According to this report in the Press, Keyport Police Chief George Casaletto dressed as a Chinese takeout food container, wore a long black braid and poked fun at Chinese surnames. "You remind me of my other Chinese friend, Ug-ly," was reportedly one of Casaletto's jokes.

A cellphone video was captured of the roast and the Asbury Park Press showed it to several Asian-American organizations.

"My thought is that this is worse than 'yellow face,'" said Virginia Ng, who formerly ran the New Jersey chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans. "Could you have done this in 'black face?' Could you make up jokes about being a black person or being called a 'n-----?' I don't think so."

But Eng, who is of Chinese descent, said he was not at all offended and that he and his girlfriend actually came up with the idea for the costume and the roast.

"I still can't believe that someone would attempt to turn what was a wonderful night for me and my family into something so outrageous," Eng told the APP. "Butch Casaletto is a lifelong friend of mine, and they're accusing him of racism which, if you knew us, you would know that this is what we do. We both enjoy the banter."

Laurie Tietjen, a Bayshore resident, said it was important to note that the Asbury Park Press showed the cellphone video to Asian-American groups to gauge their response.

"These groups were not at the event and were not given any background whatsoever on why or how the event came about; they were only asked to view a video and respond," she said. "It is very important to both Chiefs Eng and Casaletto that readers are fully informed and aware of how the video was presented for feedback."

There have been zero complaints regarding the roast from anyone in attendance, she added.

Ng said Eng is in denial.

"The person doing this has no clue that he is being offensive. And the person being made fun of is also in denial," Ng told the APP in an email. "We live in a society where we do things like this in jest. Because 'he's my friend and he can take a joke.' Well, this type of joke doesn't cut it. I am still not accepted as an American .... I am still made fun of."

Read the original report on the Asbury Park Press: Keyport top cop's Chinese costume, jokes offend advocates

Photo of Keyport Engine Co. #1, a volunteer fire company in the town.