While reading Tuesday’s column by Editor-in-Chief Jake Lovett (“‘Just Sayin’ error brings racism issues to light”), I was thinking of what the image of Asian people means.

When we do not know other races, languages or cultures, everything looks interesting and unfamiliar. As it is unfamiliar, when we imitate, it is distorted and looks ridiculous, where we lose its own value, history and authenticity. What’t left is only falsity, different and thus valueless images of it. Therefore, without understanding others “sui generis,” our description, approach or imitation is nothing but disrespect.

We do not know each other but see the images we made by ourselves. Because we just see the false and distorted images of others, we forget to understand what they think of those images. To avoid making trouble, we would just rather be away from each other. Lack of information makes people attach stereotypical and misleading images to them, and this makes it hard to get along together. At any time, the trouble, conflict and argument around discrimination or disrespect could emerge from this condition.

I read this article twice and believe few people still feel uncomfortable. I do not want to see anyone be criticized or step down. Instead, I hope the Iowa State Daily reports more frequently on our friends or neighbors who we do not know much about — those who are in racial, religious or sexual minorities. We still need to know each other if we find differences among us. To respect our differences is the way we choose as opposed to discrimination or disrespect.