Is Shaq a racist? or just naive?
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From: seattle
O.K. Strike - maybe it is racist. I feel that being Asian myself I get a lttle "free reign" in using Asian stereotypes.
As far as his comments go - you're cool with them? Have you had a group of white kids or black kids say that shit to you as a way to get a fight started?
I have. More than once. So this hits close to home for me.
I don't know about you, but I only put up with bullshit like that from my really good black/white friends. If someone I didn't know began to mock me in that fashion, we would have some words.
As far as his comments go - you're cool with them? Have you had a group of white kids or black kids say that shit to you as a way to get a fight started?
I have. More than once. So this hits close to home for me.
I don't know about you, but I only put up with bullshit like that from my really good black/white friends. If someone I didn't know began to mock me in that fashion, we would have some words.
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From: seattle
I'm pretty sure that Shaq didn't say what he said with hateful intentions. What pissed me off is that he doesn't seem at all remorseful for having said it.
Having experienced that kind of talk in a completely different context gives me a different perspective. This is where I get to say - "You don't know what it's like to be Asian" Our experiences may have parallels - but they are not the same. Having been mocked in the same way that Shaq mocked Yao Ming, I didn't like it.
Yao gets mocked in that fashion in just about every arena in the country by some ignorant f#cks.
Do you remember a couple years ago when Jason Williams was fined by the NBA for racially taunting an Asian fan? Here's a link:
http://www.jacl.org/current_prs/01040900.htm
Can you imagine the uproar that would have ensued if you substituted his anti-Asian ranting for anti- African-American ranting? He probably would have been thrown out of the leauge.
Should I have used a gif that furthers Asian stereotypes? Probably not.
I am a man who got careless in his postings in order to get a laugh.
Having experienced that kind of talk in a completely different context gives me a different perspective. This is where I get to say - "You don't know what it's like to be Asian" Our experiences may have parallels - but they are not the same. Having been mocked in the same way that Shaq mocked Yao Ming, I didn't like it.
Yao gets mocked in that fashion in just about every arena in the country by some ignorant f#cks.
Do you remember a couple years ago when Jason Williams was fined by the NBA for racially taunting an Asian fan? Here's a link:
http://www.jacl.org/current_prs/01040900.htm
Can you imagine the uproar that would have ensued if you substituted his anti-Asian ranting for anti- African-American ranting? He probably would have been thrown out of the leauge.
Should I have used a gif that furthers Asian stereotypes? Probably not.
I am a man who got careless in his postings in order to get a laugh.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: seattle
O.K. - in the interest of good taste I'll remove the Shaq gif. I never claimed to be pure. Anyone who knows me would laugh at such a claim!
Curiously, I feel soul_fly more in this discussion than I do you, Strike.
When someone ignorant asks me where I'm from and I say "Seattle" - that doesn't satisfy them. Typically the next question is "What are you?" and I say "American" they look puzzled as hell. Why is that? My features are distinctly Asian. Maybe yours aren't. I don't know. To them, I guess I don't look "American" What is that about?
Have you never been taunted or been exposed to overt or subtle racism? If not, I'm extremely happy for you. It's out there. It doesn't rule my life, nor do I spend a lot of time thinking about it (with the exception of this thread! :-)
But I don't pretend it doesn't exsist.
Curiously, I feel soul_fly more in this discussion than I do you, Strike.
When someone ignorant asks me where I'm from and I say "Seattle" - that doesn't satisfy them. Typically the next question is "What are you?" and I say "American" they look puzzled as hell. Why is that? My features are distinctly Asian. Maybe yours aren't. I don't know. To them, I guess I don't look "American" What is that about?
Have you never been taunted or been exposed to overt or subtle racism? If not, I'm extremely happy for you. It's out there. It doesn't rule my life, nor do I spend a lot of time thinking about it (with the exception of this thread! :-)
But I don't pretend it doesn't exsist.
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From: Denver CO
lig,
I'm not saying racism doesn't exist. That's where the context comes from. If someone mocks you and it's meant to be demeaning that's racism. If my best friend makes fun of the way I drive I know he's joking and I laugh, then I make fun of him being a Greek. Context is everything. Shaq has no history of racism and is known as a joker. I actually dislike Shaq as a basketball player immensely. But I just don't consider him a racist. Comparing him to Jason Williams is an insult to Shaq.
I'm not saying racism doesn't exist. That's where the context comes from. If someone mocks you and it's meant to be demeaning that's racism. If my best friend makes fun of the way I drive I know he's joking and I laugh, then I make fun of him being a Greek. Context is everything. Shaq has no history of racism and is known as a joker. I actually dislike Shaq as a basketball player immensely. But I just don't consider him a racist. Comparing him to Jason Williams is an insult to Shaq.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: seattle
I understand what you're saying about context, Strike. That's why I said I really didn't think Shaq said what he said out of hate. I'm pretty sure he as trying to be funny. But his weak-ass "I wasn't the only one or the first one" excuse was terrible. What if Trent Lott or John Rocker had used that excuse?
You've never been mocked for being even part Asian? That's pretty amazing. Back in the day, just looking Asian was enough to get into fights.
I never compared Shaq to that punk-ass Jason Williams. That would be a gross insult to Shaq. I was trying to make a point. Apparently it didn't come across too clearly
To say that Shaq has no history of racism might be something of a stretch. He said/did some pretty questionable things about Dikembe Mutombo too (in regards to him being African)
Personally, I'm ready for this thing to be over. Shaq should donate some money to an Asian charity or two, make a couple of personal appearances in the Asian community and we can all kiss and make up.
You've never been mocked for being even part Asian? That's pretty amazing. Back in the day, just looking Asian was enough to get into fights.
I never compared Shaq to that punk-ass Jason Williams. That would be a gross insult to Shaq. I was trying to make a point. Apparently it didn't come across too clearly
To say that Shaq has no history of racism might be something of a stretch. He said/did some pretty questionable things about Dikembe Mutombo too (in regards to him being African)
Personally, I'm ready for this thing to be over. Shaq should donate some money to an Asian charity or two, make a couple of personal appearances in the Asian community and we can all kiss and make up.