Topeka LDS missionaries mock Chinese people on camera
TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Topeka woman is speaking out after religious missionaries were mocking Chinese people in front of her home.
Jennifer Lee-Davis wasn't home when members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - commonly referred to as Mormons - came knocking. Based on the audio captured by her Blink camera, it does not appear the men were aware Lee-Davis is Chinese.
"If that's how they're going to say things about Asian folks," Lee-Davis said, "then how are they speaking about those that are Black and brown? They don't have the best history."
The Kansas native was referring to the Mormon church's well-known reputation for racial discrimination.
"Any time you're mocking anybody's culture," she said, "that's racism. And this day and age it's really important we check each other on that because it's hurtful. It didn't necessarily hurt my feelings. It made me angry."
Lee-Davis posted the video to social media after the Dec. 19 incident. Shortly after, she received a message apparently from one of the men involved.
Hey Jennifer, these are the missionaries that were on your doorstep. We apologize for our actions and words. We know that what we said is wrong and that there may not be anything that we can do to make it up to you. Again, we are so sorry. We want to know if there is anything we can do for you and your family?
Message sent to Lee-Davis on social media
Lee-Davis said it's not a sufficient apology.
"If you're trying to bring your religion or your faith to people that's the last thing you should probably do is say something racist," she said. "The appropriate way to deal with it isn't just to send some little 'I'm sorry,' but you really need to be loud about how you're going to fix it."
27 News called and emailed the media contact for the church around 11:00 a.m. and again around 3:00 p.m. for comment. A message was also sent to the person who sent the apology to Lee-Davis. At the time of publishing no one had returned the calls or messages.
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