Shaq had some unflattering things to say to Yao Ming
http://www.asianweek.com/2003_01_03/sports_yaoming.html
that this writer claims are racist in nature. Besides the specific claim toward Shaq the article emphasizes that in general racial remarks, actions, etc agasint Asians are tolerated when against ethnic groups they would never be tolerated.
Is the writer making valid points, or a mountain out of a molehill?
I don’t know if one can categorically deny the existence of the “model minority myth”. But, it cuts both ways. Yao may also get much respect from officials who could possibly view him as a quiet gentleman playing amongst wolves, so to speak.
I think this is more prejudice stemming from stereotypes than malignant racism. Probably, it is such flippant behavior (Asian bicycle jokes, “ching-chong” etc) that the (disorganized) political correctness or what one can call societal decency movement seeks to eradicate. Having seen how such a movement has been trivialized in the mainstream (the phrase PC is now a joke), I wonder if such articles hurt more than help minorities.
Obviously racism can only be taken seriously when it is directed at black people.
Shaq isn’t racist. He just has a bad sense of humor.
Maybe that’s an oversimplification, but I was thinking if a white athlete said those sorts of things, there would probably be swifter condemnation.
The infamous Abercrombie and Fitch ad campaign (Two Wongs Will Make it White) surely didn’t escape attention…but then again the fact that it was launched in the first place might mean something.
Anyway, I think the word “racist” is overused. Ice Cubes “Black Korea” was racist. This is just a crude and stupid comment (a la Trent Lott), not so much actual racism.
I’m not saying that Irwin Tang is making Shaq’s comment up, Asian Week certainly seems like an upstanding publication, but this is an editorial. I’ve tried to corroborate the alleged “Tell Yao Ming, ‘ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.’” quote in another source, but I can’t. I find it odd that it hasn’t shown up in any other publications.
The Abercrombie and Fitch “Two Wong’s make it white” T-shirt fiasco was everywhere a few months ago, but the Shaq quote only seems to appear in this one editorial column. Both are insensitive to asians, why hasn’t this been publicized more? Does anybody have a second source?
I thought Shaq was a pioneer in African American/Asiatic relations, what with Shaq Fu.
[sub]that game offended everybody equally.[/sub]
**
Yes it’s an oversimplification. Yet it is also a comment borne out of frustration about the double standard that seems to exist for racist comments and jokes. Just watch a black comedian sometime.
In reality, I think Shaq is just too stupid to realize what he said was racist, if he even said it. That sounds like the kind of taunting you might hear at Junior High gym class.
Life is full of disappointments – I thought the thread title was “Shag a Racist.”
For some reason I’ve always thought of many NBA players being emotionally stunted. I agree 100% with the quote above.
It’s hard to know what Shaq “really thinks” or feels, but his remarks certainly qualify as racist, a la John Rocker. Despite their wealth, these are not exactly sophisticated or educated people.
I think the author suffers from “offensensitivity” and, as lousy as this term sounds, I think “culturally insensitive” is a better description than “racist”. Let’s go over what was said:
-Shaq: “Tell Yao Ming, ‘ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.’”
Stupid, yes. Racist? I dunno- is language an integral part of race?
-“Shaq announced that he would test Yao’s toughness by taking an elbow to Yao’s face.”
He’s said similar stuff about other NBA centers of varying races. If anything this proves he’s an equal opportunity offender.
-“people cracked jokes, such as offering free bike parking to increase Chinese attendance at basketball games.”
Isn’t this a Chinese culture thing more than race?
-"The media has betrayed their own dedication to controversy by making nothing out of something that deserves much ado. Rather than slam celebrity racism, as they have in the past, some media organizations obviously wish to reserve the right to revel in their own racism. "
So passing on this story equals “revelling in racism”?
-“If a white player had, for instance, made monkey sounds to taunt a black player, it would have been a national controversy. But Yao is Chinese and Asians are fair game. For evidence, watch TV for a couple of hours.”
Monkey sounds would truly be racist, “ebonics” type speech potentially so. But I’m not sure making fun of a language is “racist” as much as (ahem) culturally insensitive. I’ve watched many hours of TV and can’t say that asians are fair game. Underepresented, maybe.
FTR, I think Shaq is a moron (“Big Aristotle”- please) but I don’t think his comments are truly racist. Maybe I’m being overly generous but I sort of see a parallel between southern/redneck jokes (they talk funny and drive pickup trucks) and these comments (they talk funny and ride bikes). Maybe I’m the racist.
Another thing:
I’m sure Shaq feels a bit paranoid right now. His team sucks (thanks to his and Kobe Bryant’s over-inflated egos), and Yao is in the process of eclipsing Shaq as the most dominant center in the NBA. By next season, this should be entirely clear. (Yao is a truely amazing player.)
You’d never hear someone like Hakeem make a stupid remark like that, ever.
I agree with Mojo that I would be hesitant to use the term racist. “Culturally insensitive” definitely. Based on ignorance, most likely. But Shaq is basically a goofball, and I figure he had no real ill will, but was rather just being stupid.
That does not mean we should let him off the hook. Cultural insensitivity can be very harmful if it is not held in check. Shaq needs a lesson.
I am also a bit put off that there has been little to no media coverage of his asinine behavior. When Fuzzy Zoeller made a racially insensitive joke, he was tarred and feathered in the press and lost a fair amount of money in the process. And, from everything I’ve read, his comments were completely in jest. The double standard is a tad bit upsetting.
I hear the Lakers are trying to increase black attendance by serving watermelon and fried chicken. :rolleyes:
(Hell yes, it’s racist.)
ShaQ
Crap, sorry. Just living up to my screenname, I guess.
A few months ago, Shaq called the Sacramento Kings the ‘queens’. When the reporters didn’t respond initially, he said, “Yeah you heard me right, I said the queens.” He was obviously trying to be confrontational, and it seemed not to occur to him that his comments might be insulting to more the just the Kings. I was surprised no one called him on it at the time, and I’m glad to see someone is on his case about this one.
The guy’s a big ass in more ways than one.
I think you are missing his point. Though saying Shaq meant solely to make fun of the fact that he was Chinese may be giving Oneil to much credit, Mojo isn’t wrong. There is a difference between culture and race. If Ming was Japanese would Shaq have made the same jokes? I don’t know, probably. But the comparison the author made to jokes about bicycles wouldn’t apply to the Japanese, would it?
That said, I’m still looking for confirmation that Shaq actually did actually say what Tang is accusing him of.
I’m not sure how much credibility it lends to the allegation, but ESPN is also reporting that he said that.
And yes, it was a racist (IMHO, it exceeded merely being culturally insensitive) statement, and yes, Shaq should be treated the same way that any other player who made a racist “joke” would be treated.
And since there is not a Chinese “culture” in America that eschews automobiles in favor bicycles, what’s left is racism. Simple, eh?
Hey, I hear the Lakers are also trying to incease black attendance by giving away spears with the team label on them. :rolleyes: