I don't think anyone is saying that any one race has a right to stereotype others but simply that stereotypes with a negative historical meaning are much more powerful than ones that don't have much at all.
I don't mock other's race/cultural leanings on purpose, but I am sure that I may have on accident, which I believe is what Shaq did. The thing is, he is a public figure and should be more aware of what he says and their consequences. I don't think he thought he was doing anything wrong which is more a societal thing than it is a individual trent-lott decision thing. Asians/Asian-Americans in general, aren't the type to scream and yell as loud as others do (though I believe we should) when these situations arise, so why would Shaq or Danny Ainge or John Thompson worry about saying some borderline discriminatory/stereotypical comments about Asians? As part of the US society we are taught what is wrong and what is right, and unfortunately, putting an Asian down is a more socially accepted because most of the time we don't react in a way that says "Hey thats wrong" My mother has always said to turn the other way when circumstances like that above presents itself in my personal life. I wouldn't be shocked if thats the same advice other Asians have received. STuart
If you haven't, read Easy's and Kiki's posts. I also enjoyed both Rush Hour movies. Do you understand the words that are coming out of my keyboard?
I was shocked to log on today and find that so many hundreds of people had posted replies to my request for information. I apologize for my misspelling of Shaq's name. A truly dumb mistake. Let me say that words are extremely powerful. The whole sticks and stones rhyme is a denial of the highest degree. I was born and raised in Texas, and yes, I am Chinese Texan. I can say that the racism I encountered growing up and the racist imagery and "jokes" and taunts I endured over the years helped to foster a self-loathing in me that I am just now only beginning to fathom. That is why Shaq's comment and Bruno's ensuing mini-circus hurt so much. This sort of thing, taken in aggregate (or not) makes me want to go out and hurt someone. Eventually, though, the hatred and anger is internalized and one aims it at oneself. Most people of color my age (32) and older can identify with this. Times are changing, though, and it is, thankfully, increasingly more difficult to racially taunt, insult, or make fun of African Americans in this nation. That is a great step forward. We recognize, in some small part, how offensive and hurtful these things are, and how they make life and more importantly a dignified life that much more difficult. And this is especially so when such racial stabs are consistent and accepted by the general public as "humor" or "fun" or "boys being boys." I applaud the African American community for their progress in defending their community from being spat upon and humiliated publicly. We as a nation have far to go when it comes to Asians and Asian Americans. I implore Asian Americans to stand up and fight. Do it for those kids who are going through what you and I went through as children: being spat on, beat up, taunted, ganged-up on, ostracized and so forth, either because of our race, or using our race as a weapon against us. I still get the ching-chong bull**** on the street sometimes, and with Shaq encouraging Tony Bruno encouraging the public and so forth, we must stop it somewhere. The best time and place are here and now. The Organization of Chinese Americans is considering action, but they will probably not do it very publicly. It has occurred to me that perhaps a press conference at Compaq before the game might be effective. I will keep you posted as to what is being done about this issue, but every reader here can be an activist for respect and dignity.
u shouldnt have to put up with that crap. i have chinese friends and friends of all races. look at yao he's chinese and he is the most popular guy in h-town now. if yao was portuguese or blakc it would be different to everybody. the chinese should be getting alot more respect. i respect there culture and beliefs though i am white i like to understand other cultures like chinese. and it just so happens that my favorite basketball star is chinese. keep fighting it! go rox!
shaq has been ignorant since he came into the league. During his interviews he always sounds like he is on the verge of borderline r****dedness. We should be making fun of him. When Hakeem and the rockets beat him in the finals in 95, if you remember hakeem went up to hug him and he stood there like a bump on a log and it looked like he was telling hakeem " DUH, I don't want to hug I want to cry." I'll say one thing Shaq outta be glad God blessed him with the basketball ability and size God gave him, cause he ain't gonna win any spelling contests anytime soon.
Ask yourself this, "How would Yao Ming react to these so-called remarks from Shaq?" Yao would probably say, "That's his problem, not mine." By the way, you can complain all you want. Have at it. Have fun and enjoy your anger. Don't let it burn you.
Huh? I wouldn't care less what people think of me or treat me personally because I have no control over such things. We all endure stereotypes/racism in some form. However, I'd feel "spat upon" (to use your terms) if I were overlooked for an opportunity to advance because of my race as opposed to my qualifications. It's like I tell my wife when she's upset sometimes about the high drama going on at work: I work for the dough. You don't have to like a thing about me. Just don't deny me the opportunity to make some dough. Look, ignorance like this in general has been around since mankind probably and it isn't going to go away anytime soon. That being said, I highly commend good guys like youself who vehemently fight against it.
If the comments were made about a african american.....in the same manner....by some white guy this ....would be taken over the top!!!....many of us forget that racism has been around ALL OVER THE WORLD....not just against african americans...becuase we live in the MEDIA CAPITAL of the world the African American race problem has been magnified.....we just don't get to hear about it! We have racism against Arabs in movies all the time...before even Sept11.....There had always also been racism against chinese people in movies with sterotypes of each race..... Shaq saying those comments may have been a joke but if he Yao said the same thing about african americans...Shaq would be calling Yao a racist.......It's a two way street and many don't look at it that way. Anyway there will ALWAYS be racism so let's just move on and take it as a joke....well that's what i do.
Yeah DavidS, he would say that, he would probably giggle at the comment and brush it off, but guess what? He was born in China whereas I am an Asian-American, theres a huge gap in cultural differences. Had Yao Ming been a 9-year old straight from China into the midwestern/southern American public school system, i'm sure he would his reaction would lean a lot towards mine. Kind of reminds me when one of my best friends use to say to me when I was a kid "Why do you get so upset when someone calls you chink Stuart? If I grew up in China and everyone called me Honky, I don't think I would get mad..." Its not that simple. When you grow up in a country where you stand out as different, the last thing a kid wants is to be is ridiculed and pointed out because of said differences. Don't get me wrong, I love America and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. STuart
I am not asian, but I am still OFFENDED by Shaq and the media's comments. May karma hit them and let them get cancer.
This is a big deal. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to white on black, is it? Shaq is showing his racism as much as Fuzzy Zoeller showed his by asking Tiger for some fried chicken. There's no difference my friends. Don't excuse a person's racism just because they are black. If we really want to deal with racism and eradicate it, then hold the line for all. I get so sick of the double, triple, quadruple, quintuple, sextuple standard for racism. It's a bunch of bologna. If Shaq did indeed make those comments, he needs to be taken to task for it, the same way that Fuzzy was, the same way that Trent Lott was. After all, he is the first or second most recognized name in basketball today. You can't tell whop jokes and not be racist. You can't tell spic jokes and not be racist. You can't tell white guy jokes and not be racist. You can't tell n....... jokes and not be racist. You can't tell Seminic jokes and not be racist. You cannot poke fun at the lifestyle of a race and not be racist. For goodness sake, BE CONSISTENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David, Don't give us that garbage about because you are black, you cannot possibly be racist. It is sheer garbage and the posters here are too intelligent to fall for it.
So, using your reasoning, it is okay to crack jokes about black people liking fried chicken and chitlins???????????
Was Fuzzy's comments stereotyping? How about Al Campanis? How about Jimmy the Greek? Jimmy the Greek told the truth. And he was ostercized for it, fired from his job, never worked again. And he spoke the truth. His words were taken and twisted and used against him and the public went along with it. Let's hold the same measuring stick. I say there needs to be a league wide protest along with a fine, suspension, and mandatory counseling for racism given to Mr. O'neill.
