Is the Spanish basketball team all racists? You decide

[Tenigma]

http://www.theimproper.com/Images/Art/Racist%20Spanish%20basketball%20team%20photo%203.j pg

This is an ADVERTISEMENT for a courier company in Spain. These men are the Spanish Olympic basketball team. [See more photos in this article here (http://www.theimproper.com/Template_Article.aspx?IssueId=4&ArticleId=2149).]

The New York Times, which I guess has too much taste to republish the photos (and probably doesn't want to give anymore face time to the advertiser) wrote (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/sports/olympics/14araton.html?_r=1&hp&oref=login):

“It seemed to us to be something appropriate and that it would always be interpreted as an affectionate gesture,” José Calderon, the point guard who plays professionally in the N.B.A. for Toronto, wrote on an Internet site. “I want to express that we have great respect for the Orient and its people.”

He signed off with a line that — based on the interpretive values of the typical American audience, at least — might have been better off stricken.

“Some of my best friends are of Chinese origin,” he wrote.

They will probably still be his friends but they may have to wonder how Calderon and the Spaniards could actually believe that mimicking a people’s physical characteristics could be intended as a show of solidarity and respect. These players are citizens of the global basketball community, which now stretches East to West. They should know better.

Pshhhyeah, that's right, "some of my friends are Black."

I mean, PLEASE. This is just downright insulting.

PS: It's "ASIA" you doofus. "The Orient" is straight out of the 1930s because it is a comparison to the Occidental part of the world (The West for us modernites). Oriental furniture = OK. Orientals = not OK. ASIANS.

[Gemini Cricket]

Ugh.
That is lame of them.
Bleh.

[innerSpaceman]

Hahaha, the Orient!! Ah, yes ... that will appease your friends of Chinese origin for the slant-eyes group gesture!!!



HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Strangler Lewis]

I can't wait for their affectionate gestures when the Olympics are in Israel.

[Alex]

There's a Jew gesture? I did not know this (unless it is horns or something) and will now have to spend time trying to think of something maximally offensive.

[Strangler Lewis]

There's a Jew gesture? I did not know this (unless it is horns or something) and will now have to spend time trying to think of something maximally offensive.

They're pulling back part of their skin to emulate a physical characteristic of their Olympic hosts. If the Olympics were in Israel . . .

[Alex]

Oh, I see. We were on the same wavelength then since that was where I was going with my own creation.

[innerSpaceman]

yeah, me too ... with the obvious exception that that's a photo of the Spanish basketball team I'd have rather seen at the top of this thread.

[Alex]

Of course mine ended up involving both a circumcision gesture as well as horns. I was wondering if involving a friend to provide a tail would be too complex.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Is there a gesture for "pound of flesh"?

[blueerica]

The whole thing just didn't seem very bright.

But LMFAOZOMGROFLBBQ

[Capt Jack]

as an asian I think I can say this....

so, one comic gesture makes you a racist? we asian folk know we squint a might and joke about it constantly (at least all the ones I know here do)...

besides, its not like they were doing a pinching motion and talking about tiny peckers

the term 'oversensitive' comes to mind. folks need to chill on all the PC bull****. its making it desperately hard to make a joke anymore

[Betty]

Does the fact that I didn't "get it" until I read the explanation mean I'm not a racist or that I'm just stupid?

[Capt Jack]

yes

:D

(;) it means you recognized it for what it is. a bunch of goofball guys giving a shout out to "asians" during a photo op and nothing more)

[Not Afraid]

I have been going back and forth on the black and white of racism vs political correctness. While I don't find this "tasteful" I can't seem to get highly insulted by it. I do agree that the term "Oriental" is very dated (and mostly used in Europe).

I've also almost completely stopped using the term "African American", preferring to use "black" instead.

[Capt Jack]

seems most black folk I know prefer it as well.

[Moonliner]

I've had to work with my kids to correct the impression that ANY reference to skin color, nationality or sexual orientation is by default racist.

For example, there was a study published in the Washington Post stating that on average black children in the metro area scored lower on standardized tests than white children. Making note of that fact is not being racist.

[Alex]

While I'm not offended (no reason I would be), what truly shocking is that anybody thought it was a good idea for an advertisement and that it would pass by without comment.

That said, while Asians may make fun of their eyes all of the time, blacks also make fun of their lips, noses, and hair all of the time. And yet I'm guessing it wouldn't be viewed as harmless for me to do an ad about a trip to South Africa where I puffed out my lips, pressed my nose flat and wore and afro wig.

[innerSpaceman]

I can call my gay friends 'faggot,' but straight people better dare not.

I would have referenced the more obvious example, but you can't even type that word on this message board.


(Hmmm, wonder if a black member can type it?)

[Morrigoon]

Moonliner: while that may be true, the mere choice to bring up that fact would call your motives into question (unless the context of the conversation warranted it)

[Not Afraid]

I use the term "fag hag" fairy regularly, but I'd never call anyone a fag.

[Moonliner]

I can call my gay friends 'faggot,' but straight people better dare not.

I would have referenced the more obvious example, but you can't even type that word on this message board.


(Hmmm, wonder if a black member can type it?)

I think it's slanderous that you can say faggot but not **** **** ****** or ******. Apparently the filter thinks being a homophobe is OK as long as you don't also refer to their race, religion or nationality.

[Strangler Lewis]

I can call my gay friends 'faggot,' but straight people better dare not.

I would have referenced the more obvious example, but you can't even type that word on this message board.


(Hmmm, wonder if a black member can type it?)

If you were in a room with a straight black friend, a gay black friend and a straight Jewish friend, things could degenerate very quickly.

(Well, of course they could.)

Sadly, I can't think of anything truly derogatory that the straights could amiably call each other to pull their weight in the confusion.

[Tenigma]

as an asian I think I can say this....

so, one comic gesture makes you a racist? we asian folk know we squint a might and joke about it constantly (at least all the ones I know here do)...

besides, its not like they were doing a pinching motion and talking about tiny peckers

the term 'oversensitive' comes to mind. folks need to chill on all the PC bull****. its making it desperately hard to make a joke anymore
Just like with a lot of things where we don't want to paint too broad a brush, I would like it be known that I'm also Asian, and I think this falls squarely into the "WTF were they thinking" category. I think it's insensitive and most of all, epic stupid.

How would people feel if the Olympics were being held in an African nation, and the players all decided to wear afro wigs, or be photographed in black face, mmm? Seriously, this is ridiculous. It's not like some of them were goofing around and just pulled their eyes back. This was an organized photo shoot for an advertisement and nobody said it was a bad idea?!

[lashbear]

as an asian I think I can say this....
Are you an Asian ??

So THAT'S why you insisted on ordering the Chop Suey Martini at TGI Fridays......... :p