I’m not really sure which forum to throw this in, if a moderator deems it would fit better elsewhere please move it. I also looked to see if this has already been posted, if it has my apologies.
Basically, Spain’s Basketball Federation created an advertisement wishing good luck at the Olympics to the national team(s). Part of the ad included a picture of the whole team posing with their eyes pulled back in a slant-eyed gesture. You can see the picture here. Kind of an unusual thing to put in an officially sanctioned ad. I’m still not sure what to think of the whole thing other then it was completely pointless and I’m surprised not one person involved thought better of it. Here is another link that references The Guardian article.
What do y’all say? Racist? Worthy of repercussions? Funny?
I’d say racist, but I’m sensitive since I’m Asian. WTF were they thinking? I really can’t interpret it any other way. I see China is playing Spain in basketball pretty soon. I hope they humiliate those guys.
The only thing that I can figure is that Spain has a different social attitude then the U.S. on things like this. I seem to recall a few past situations in Spanish sports where some pretty racist or derogatory incidents occurred and it seemed to be a little more accepted than it would be here. I can’t really speak with any authority on that though, I’m hoping someone with more perspective can chime in.
It’s plenty stupid. However I think the idea that it’s somehow overtly racist is pretty ridiculous. Asian people have narrow slanted eyes, noting that fact doesn’t make it racist or hateful. I don’t think the photo in anyway portrays the Chinese as dumb, cruel or evil. Imitating someone isn’t hateful unless it’s context makes that opinion apparent.
People need to lighten the fuck up.
What’s next, are us round-eyes supposed to start moaning about the racism inherent in every Anime and Hentai video featuring blonde, big eyed characters? Clearly it means the Asians hate us…
This isn’t “noting” that fact, it’s mocking it. Mocking people for ‘racial’ characteristics is generally considered racist. And regardless of whether this is racist or not, it’s tactless and dumb.
I’ve gotta vote for racism. I’m a white guy and I’m hardly the type of person who tends to see racist overtones everywhere, but this seems like it a blatant reference to the “slanty-eyed Asians” stereotype.
They were making fun of the Chinese, not Koreans… there’s a difference, ya know? :smack:
I think this whole thing can be summed up with a :rolleyes:, or perhaps a “WTF?”. (at the picture, not the OP or any of the posters). Although, I have to admit, I did laugh a little bit. Sorry.