Is it wrong that this whole controversy just makes me laugh and laugh? The whole point of the Colbert Report is to be outrageous as possible, and when the joke moves into the real world, it only makes it better. I’m looking forward to seeing Colbert deal with this on his show, not by apologizing, but by being even more silly and offensive.
The distinction between a joke that makes fun of racism and a racist joke is too subtle for some people.
This whole thing makes me think of the numerous times that other country’s media have reported on an article from The Onion as if it was real.
“How many hashtag activists does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
“There are some things you shouldn’t joke about.”
If a comedian isn’t occasionally invoking outrage from some group, they aren’t doing comedy I want to pay attention to.
Thing is, it doesn’t even strike me as offensive when stripped from context. The tweet itself contains all the internal signals it needs to indicate that it is intended sarcastically, not seriously.
Didn’t Colbert originate the “ching-chong” bit, like, five years ago?
Yes (it was more like 8 years ago). During the bit on Wednesday, he showed a clip from the original appearance of the character. The bit was originally in response to criticism of Rosie O’Donnell (who still had a talk show at the time), who had used an offensive Asian stereotype.
That’s one long-ass hash tag for chewing up my precious Twitter characters.
On a smaller scale I have gotten in trouble making similar styled jokes on Facebook. You think by being so over the top people will realize the point is a joke but nope.
Also I would like to officially apply for the position of Hashtag Activist.
Is “Suey” a legitimate person’s name with a history or just a way to ensure the kid would turn out to be angry?
Honestly, how seriously outraged can you by a guy who regularly claims to not even knowing he’s white because he doesn’t see race?
Reminds of that time on SNL they had somebody portraying Celine Dion (I think it was Ana Gasteyer, so this was a longass time ago) saying that she forgave the Jews for killing Christ. The ADL didn’t see the distinction between a racist joke and the joke of portraying someone as racist, and raised a stink.
People tell him that he’s white and he believes them because police officers call him sir.
I’ll bet the people tweeting against Colbert are the same people who hate Blazing Saddles because “it’s racist!”
And now Stephen has responded with a classic tweet of his own:
I don’t get it! What could possibly be cooler than having your own Asian sidekick?!? 
Didn’t Rosie O’Donnell get in trouble for that a few years before that?
Oh man. This takes me back. You kids may not remember a time when it was the liberals who were famous for lacking a sense of humor, and reacting to things out of context. Yes, it’s been some 15 years of conservatives taking over the role of being humorless and hypersensitive in the public discourse, but for Suey Park, it’ll be the 90’s forever. Does she live in Portland perchance?
I’m over 60 and I don’t remember any such time.
Those Nixon years were sure hilarious, though. You could kid him all day long and he almost never had you taken out and shot.