My opinion is the same. I found his post blatantly insulting, probably suspension-worthy for this board, and I thought Asian Sensation's post was politically-incorrect but not in any way meant to insult or demean anybody. I try not to get overly emotional over words, when I know there was not intent to harm or offend. I never said 'slit eyes' isn't a racially-charged term. In fact, I'll quote myself: "If someone on this board is hating on Yao, and he drops a "slit eyes" comment, then I'm with you in calling that racist." Time for bed. Good night.
LOL, in post #43 of this thread, you said: Yes, I guess it's a good idea for you to go to bed now. You have your back against the wall. What an easy way to exit.
We each have to decide on our own where to draw the line. We're not all going to agree on where it goes. I don't think we should feel obligated to draw that line where no one is offended. If that's what we chose to do, consistently, then that would stifle all types of expression. That is not a positive thing for society. And now, good night for real.
So you have clearly stated that 'slit eyes' is a racially-charged term. But then you also said it is only racist if that racially-charged term is used in the context of hating on someone. Is that what you are trying to say? You really need to spend time to rethink on what you have said in this thread. You sound very confused about your own thoughts.
Just to add my two cents. The -_- emoticon is similar to a common one in Korea and I assume other East Asian countires. It denotes awkward ambivalence or a lighthearted "no comment" moment. It also used with a couple of beads of sweat on the side like this - -:; But I guess if you want to read those eyes as being "slanty", it can start looking racist. Just throwing it out there. As for the topic, Yao does seem to be thinking a lot more out there and acting less from instinct, but I notice that with almost all the other players as well. IIRC the same thing happened in the first half of last season before things started to click in the second half, so I'm hoping it'll happen again this season.
The N word is a racially-charged term. I don't think Chris Rock is being racist for using it. Do you not understand the difference? This isn't complicated, but I'm not going to spend all night trying to explain it to you. It's past 3am here. Bye.
durvasa, the correct way to say your thought is: "The N word could be a racially-charged term only if it is used in the context of hating on someone". Yes it's not complicated. But you were very confused when you tried to tell your thoughts. Back to the topic. You, durvase, have repeated many times that 'you' are not offended and you don't believe it is racist. You, durvasa, have spoken for the Asians that 'slit eyes' or 'slanty eyes', even though they are racially-charged terms, can be not racist under some circumstances. Once again, who is durvasa anyway?
I guess these types of jokes may seem lightheartedly funny and sarcastic to you but has it ever occurred to you that an asian person who grew up in a society where they were made aware at an early age of their differences in physical features and were even the target of ridicule might not see it that way. Call me an overly sensitive "party pooper" but i just don't get the humor. In fact, being an Asian person myself, I find it quite offensive so Im not going to sweep it under the rug and let it slide! I don't think a black person would find it funny either if this thread was about wide noses and big lip jokes nor would a hispanic about curly hair and brown skin ones. My point is, I don't mind a good laugh here and there, but you're not going to have it at my expense, sorry not today not ever. As for Asiansensation, you seem like one of these weak minded Asians that want so bad to be accepted by Americans that you would compromise your own dignity just to "fit in." Don't you know they're laughing at you not with you. Yea they'll think you're a cool and funny guy...but you won't get any respect because you don't have any for yourself. This thread was originally about Yao's court awareness but once again someone's gotta turn it into some sort of Asian stereotype. (eg. he doesn't dunk enough, it must be because of his passive Chinese upbringing) and in this case a thread was made about Yao's "alert eyes," yet, I could tell you, it was only a matter of time before some idiot makes a comment about its asian characteristic. Grow the f up!...it's childish not to mention just incredibly stupid! Don't mean to sound so militant but sometimes you just get sick of reading ignorance.
The way I use these terms, "racially-charged" is not the same thing as "racist". Words are racially-charged. Ideas are racist. So, the word "n*gger" is racially-charged. But the idea that is being express with the use of that word may or may not be racist, depending on the context. Have I made this clear? When I said that Asian Sensation's post was "harmless", what I meant was that he was intending no harm. But obviously you and some other have taken offense, so in a sense harm was done despite whatever his intention may have been. I wasn't offended by it, but then again I'm not Asian. Your experiences are different, I respect that, and I'm certainly not going to challenge your right to be offended. So, what is the disagreement here? It comes down to this. You said (I think) that a person should not say something publicly if there's a chance that it could offend a certain group of people. That position bothers me. I do think people should try to be sensitive to the experiences of others and not glibly use words that might be hurtful. But then its not always clear where to place that line. A lot of comedy, literature, etc. centers around taboo subjects. Should that make it off limits? I don't think so. You asked who I am. I'm a Rockets fan who is spending entirely too much time on an internet message board rather than getting much needed sleep.
That isn't fair. Joking about one's cultural or ethnic background doesn't necessarily point to lack of self respect. Actually, it could point to one feeling secure enough in who he is to make such a joke. That's why it is can be easier for white people to joke about their own race than a minority. When people are confident in who they are and they're place in society, they are less worried about what others may think of them.
You cannot compare the experience of white people in this country as far as racism to those of minorties. White people can be "secure" and make jokes about themselves because their was never a history behind those jokes for you. Ask a jewish person if they find holocaust jokes funny or ask a black person if they find slavery jokes funny. Sure white people can make fun of themselves about their quirks and not get too offended when other people do it but its not a question of being secure or not. In actuality, these racist jokes for us minorities, was once and still is a machine for ostracizing and oppression to make others feel lower or negatively different. That is something you wouldn't understand unless you have experienced it first hand.
The reason you call an asian slant eye is not because of their bloody eyes, its because they are asian. I cannot believe people like Asian sensation does not give a rat's toss bag about being called slantz? mate get real.
I have no problem with everyone having their own opinions and should be free to express them as they choose. However when he/she does so in a public forum that can be heard or read by the masses, he/she should also be held accountable for what they say. If it is deemed offensive to a certain group then they also have the right to express their disapproval. In this case, a joke was made that can be taken as mockery directed toward a certain racial group about, of all things, a physical feature which is a part of their ethnic identity, if you don't think there's something wrong with that then you should question your own moral judgment.
Please feel free to call yourself a slanty eyed gook or make a fool of yourself in whatever way you want. However, please do not do so to Yao, or any other Asians who do not share your sense of humor.
Perpetuating stereotypes is offensive. An Asian guy perpetuating stereotypes just to pander and get laughs from a majority white message board is doubly offensive. Not all Asians have small eyes. Not all white people are inherently racist. Not all black people are criminals. Not all Mexicans are illegals. And so on... Perpetuating stereotypes is offensive.
I think this can have a lot to do with being secure in one's place in society. If you're not concerned about being ostracized or oppressed, why would you care what others think of you? (and to be clear, I am not white) I don't think any less of Asian people because their eyes are different. Every race of people have features that set them a part. It's entirely possible for people to embrace those differences, to be appreciative of them, and at the same time find humor in it. I think that's healthy, in fact. Trying to hide our differences for fear of being ostracized isn't a way to make real social progress. In a racially-intolerant society, it's a stop-gap measure to keep minorities comfortable. Long-term, we need to evolve past that. (Sorry, I got to say one more thing here, DD) You have every right to express disapproval. That's not what I took issue with. It was the nature of your post that I thought was inappropriate. It was over the top and highly inflammatory, in my view.
Small eyes isn't a stereotype. It's a physical trait. In Yao's case, anyone can take a look and see that, yes, he has them. We're not making assumptions about who he is based on his race. We're observing what he actually is. I don't see how that's stereotyping.
