Are you being paid by the post to defend Stockton? For those of you who are wondering why Irishman and Frenchman are okay, but Chinaman is not: Consider a couple of years ago when Denver coach Dan Issel said, "Have another beer you F'N Mexican POS!" Would anyone consider it racist if he had said, "F'N Irish POS" or "F'N French POS!" I think not. It's just the way it is in this country where we have to be extra sensitive to minorities.
My excuse is lame? Ok... So your saying you don't understand HOW it could have been an honest mistake? Not at all?
It's interesting that you have to put "F'N POS" in front of Mexican to make it worse. See what you are doing? It's not the same as just "Mexican" or just "Chinaman." If you add "F'N POS" then you will truly know the persons intentions.
Well someone tell me when STockton apologizes. He made a bunch of mistakes...incorrect info. I agree with Sishir Chang. And Chinese American politicians..I know of three in Texas...and the governor of Washington is too. I almost forgot that yesterday was MLK Day too! And I thought Asian Americans had some economic influence... It was a mistake..but it's good that people are makin him aware...of his mistake.
Wow. Councilmember Gordon Quan just called me back! He thanked me for my concern and is in the process of authoring a strongly worded letter to TNT. SHOCKER!
Well he should have the knowledge yes. Just like everybody has the knowledge that the Nword should not be used, the same goes for 'Chinaman'. So I see no problem with informing Stockton and requesting an apology. Ignorance is not an excuse for wrongdoing.
Normar, did you read mleahy999's post. He was comparing Dan Issel use the he PHRASE "F'N POS Mexican." I never said the word "Mexican" was inherently offensive.
I had to take a double take to make sure I heard what I heard come out of Kerr's trap... "Chinaman" is offensive and I think it is similar to N-bombs and slang hispanic terms...I generally like Kerr's take regarding b-ball, but I think he was so wrong in saying it...Hopefully he'll think twice b/f inserting his foot into his mouth...
OK ... Saying "Chinaman" is obviously wrong. Does that make Dick Stockton a racist? No! Ignorant? Yes Just like Stockton, I had no idea that it was wrong and it doesnt make me a racist. If I would have said it then I would expect someone to politely let me know that 'Hey thats not a good word to say.' If you screamed and called me a racist then I guarantee you, I would be listening for every damn thing you said to blast you, and i think that is what happens in the world today. Someone isnt tolerant to something you say, then the next thing you know you are not tolerant to anything ANYONE else says. It is a vicious cycle. If you believe that Stockton is 100% a racist because he said that, then you are a hypocrit because I guarantee that you do not know every single thing about every other culture, and at some point you may have said a word similar to that one and not even known it was wrong. I have a Filipino girlfriend and many of her friends are also Asian. One day a friend of hers that I didnt know was cooking fish and when I walked in she hurriedly covered the fish's head and said sorry because she thought that white people thought it was bad luck to see the fish's eyes. Now that is ignorance as well, but should I get mad? Hell no ... its an innocent mistake and people are going to be ignorant of different cultures bottom line. You can't know everything. Now if Stockton hears about this and continues to say that word in the future then there is a problem, but the trashing of him is rediculous when he obviously didn't indend to insult anyone.
Funnily enough, there was a program on Channel 4 (UK) called "Missing Chink" tonight: A "Mix of documentary and sitcom considering why there are so few Chinese role models in Britain and successful Chinese performers on television. Guests include Burt Kwouk and David Yip" Normally I'd find Chink and chinky offensive, but then I suppose that's because someone is being racially abusive. I was surprised to hear the commentator on the radio say ... "dunking over the 7' 6" Chinaman," as it is a derogatory term. There did seem to be a moment of dead air afterwards. It was like he used the "N" word or swore on TV before the watershed. However given the context, he was hardly trying to incite racial abuse. I'm sure he was reprimanded and educated like Another Brother and won't do it again. I found it amusing recently how American Asians (Korean) take great offense at being called Orientals, while in the UK it is perfectly acceptable. One reason he said was because it implies the East (orient), while being an American is being a Westerner I guess. In fact, Orientals and Asians are two different ethnic minorities in the UK. Orientals being Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Thai etc , while Asians are Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans etc. Maybe the distinction comes from the Empire.
It was Kerr after all "I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies to anyone who was offended by my comment last night. I was unaware that the term I used was derogatory and in no way meant to offend Chinese Americans." (Steve Kerr) http://slamonline.com/links/
