Pictured above are members of Argentina’s olympic soccer team, celebrating their trip to the Olympics in Beijing. Although they’re not the first Olympic team to strike this tasteless pose, they are the first to do so while wearing their corporate sponsor’s name on their jerseys.
Oddly enough, one of the other teams that posed for a picture while making the “slanty-eyed” face did so for an actual ad for a Spanish courier company. This time, it’s not an ad, and Coca-Cola’s probably not going to be happy with this association. The photo was published August 5th, but so far, we haven’t heard anything from Coke.
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Yeah, it’s pretty sad that these people think it’s alright to do this. No doubt in my mind this is racist; if they don’t believe me then ask an asian.
Poor judgement on their part.
The thing is, a LOT of people have found this offensive for a LONG time.
At some point, you should grow up and not do something that offends someone else, simply because it offends them. It’s not being PC, it’s being polite. Whether you fully understand why it offends the other person or people, and whether you intend it offensively doesn’t really matter. You don’t get to decide how other people feel. If it matters to you not to insult other people, does it really cost so much of your life, not to do that something?
If I don’t like the way the USA is going, I have the right to burn a flag in protest, but if I do, I am going to offend people and it will make it impossible to have a reasonable discussion after that. I value other people’s feeling more than that.
I guess my point is “Why do it, if you know it could hurt someone”? Give me one benefit to this action so powerful that it is worth the possible offense felt by others.
@Darkwing_Duck:
no darkwing, you THINK they’re cool w/ it. but in reality, as they pretend to laugh along, they’re thinking in their heads, “f*cking round-eye. im glad i’ll make more money than you someday.”
oh and thancr, yes there are probably racial jokes, but they dont do it in public and in the media. basically, this is a big middle finger to asia, and they dont care.
to make a sweeping generalization about one’s physical, mental, or social state in jest or otherwise is a stereotype. a stereotype about one’s race or ethnicity is being “racist”. being “racist” is a bigot. some famous bigots? nazis and kkk. good night everybody!
I can’t say I’ve had broad experience with this, but as an anecdote, I used to work as a teacher at a second language english school in the United States. Most of our students came from either South America or South Korea with a smattering of students from other parts of the world. However, it was not uncommon to see our South American students make the “squinty eye” gesture when talking about their South Korean classmates. While I understood that no malevolence was intended, I was always careful to explain to the South Amercian students that such gestures/expressions were considered culturally rude in the United States. MOST of those students made an effort to refrain from further gestures once informed. Again, it’s not so much maliciouness as it is a lack of cultural awareness/sensitivity. As much as people like to harp on the United States for being racist, we are a lot more politically correct than many other countries. Whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or a mixed blessing, I leave that for you to decide.
@tmed: I agree with you that people should be polite to one another. Perhaps this action was impolite. Perhaps it was racist, as well. Perhaps it’s acceptable in their culture. There’s a lot to be said for American’s cultural imperialism in the world. Here’s an example:
We (Americans) get upset because some countries use child labor to manufacture goods that are exported to the US. So we, in full-on “someone think of the children” mode, decide to raise a stink about that company’s/country’s practices. However, we don’t take into consideration that the child in the factory 1) is expected by their family to earn money to support the family, 2) can’t afford to go to school, and 3) would have a much, much sadder existence if they weren’t able to earn money for the family. So the boycott of the company or the country’s exports might actually hurt the child more than the working might have.
Is making fun of opposing teams the cultural norm in Argentina? Does the Argentinean culture expect this behavior? Would the girls be looked at as strange if they didn’t poke fun at their opponents? And, most importantly, how is it our right or responsibility to pass judgment on these girls?
Here’s an answer to your request for one benefit from this action. Maybe, just maybe, it will let Americans know that they’re not the center of the universe. Maybe we’ll figure out that “wow, we’re in a global environment and not everyone shares our views.” And, most importantly, maybe we’ll decide not to impose our values on everyone else.
@bunt:
Nice to see who the real racist is. Why, if he’s offended, wouldn’t the Asian say something to his friend, especially when the friend thinks they’re cool with it and isn’t meaning to offend? Then the Asian thinks a racist remark, followed by a blanket “I’m better than you” thought.
So, on one hand, we have a non Asian making a remark that he doesn’t know is offensive and on the other hand we have an Asian who’s thinking racist thoughts.
@MayorBee is Haulin’… Haulin’ Ass…Gettin’ Paid
I am not suggesting that they stop because I am offended. I am suggesting that they stop because they may have made someone else feel badly. If, in fact, they don’t care or are buckling under cultural pressure to make fun of their opponents, then THEY need the wider world view, not me (or random American). If they are ignorant of the possible offense, then THEY need a wider world view, not me (or Random American).
In your example, those boycotting often know that they are causing harm to a current generation to try to force those in power to offer better futures. Look at South Africa, many of those boycotting the country under Apartheid knew that it was causing pain to those living in the country. It was also known that the adjustment after the fall of Apartheid would be harsh for a long time, I still feel that Apartheid was indefensible.
I believe, and will always believe, in certain inalienable human rights. Because I believe in them, I may not impose my beliefs on you, but I am certainly not going to support you tramping those rights which I hold dear and believe all should have.
It is our right to pass judgment on those girls actions, because we have seen them. Many of us have met people who would be hurt by this gesture.
It’s a small world with some complicated rules. This is not one of them. They are on a world stage, they are sworn under a motto of sportsmanship, this was probably not a sensible decision.
@MayorBee is Haulin’… Haulin’ Ass…Gettin’ Paid
pretty much. but racism is racism. in that scenario, neither one is correct. both are at fault, the thoughtless action and the unspoken but bitter retribution. however to say that one is better than the other is incorrect.
course, the point is intolerance breeds more intolerance, and the overall theme here is; lets think about our actions before saying statements like “its just a joke.” or “get over it, I wouldn’t be offended.”
@bunt: OK, don’t make broad sweeping generalizations about my relationship. Whenever we got our math exams back, he’d invariably do better, and I’d point out the “slant-eyes” joke. Just the same as when we’d go boogie boarding/swimming, I was more skilled in that area, he’d make rafter jokes (I’m Cuban). A black friend who’s had good luck with women? Penis size jokes. A short Italian/Dominican who’s a Tony Soprano wannabe-our best Don Vito Corleone impression. In my case, they’re mutual, lighthearted jabs. I’m not arguing that this situation isn’t offensive, but against blanket statements that this is always offensive. Would I do an Apu impression in front of an Indian I didn’t know? Would I put on blackface to poke fun at my black friend? No, but we have innocuous jokes and mutual understandings.
Race is a different issue in Latin America and Spain. It’s another culture. There’s stuff Americans find acceptable that is offensive to other cultures, but other cultures don’t go at Americans with a holier-than-thou attitude. Ching chong jokes, black caricatures and the like are common out there, and guess what? No blacks or Asians care over there.
[www.cnn.com]
Big f*cking deal. Seriously, we as humans are all turning into a bunch of pussies. *rolls eyes*
@badhatharry: i love that you said that and i love that it was the first comment. ROFL.
@Alex Chasick: That’s related to another phenomenon:
I guess what I mean is, there’s race related, and then there’s racist. Some things that people have knee-jerk PC reactions to I find funny. Like when that movie The Ringer came out, someone made a joke, saying that Johnny Knoxville spent 33 years living as a retarded man to prepare for his role. I thought that joke was absolutely hilarious and not in the least bit offensive
I guess because in Argentina, Coca-Cola ISN’T the real thing.
@postnocomments: You mean the black soccer players really don’t care when fans make “monkey noises” at them when they’re on the field? Is that actually a sign of affection that I’m not aware of?
I have Chinese relatives who live in Brazil, and I’ve been told that the Chinese are treated quite poorly over there. But don’t take my word for it or anything. They’re probably just imagining it! Silly over-sensitive bunch of pussies!
@postnocomments:
Please, quickly, call the Spanish FA and let them know they don’t care:
[www.rte.ie]
Research before commenting. People care, everywhere.
Me Chinese, me play joke,
me put pee-pee in your coke.
I’m asian and honestly I’m not offense by this. However I’m sure the chinese are not happy. It’s offensive in a way though — this is like going to Africa and the whole team dance around like they’re monkey.. Or we all go to London in 2012 and act drunk and said ARSE all day… is that funny?
@tmed: You’re aware that you linked to an article from 2005, right?
Again, as postnocomments said, it’s a different culture. Sure, we can discuss it, we can say we wouldn’t do something like that, but where do we get the right to say how people should act in their own culture?
I guess I’m one of the people that just don’t get offended easily. Call me a honkey, a round-eye, a fag…I don’t care. If you’re doing it to try to hurt me, your opinion doesn’t matter. If you’re doing without intending to hurt me, then it’s really the intent that matters, isn’t it? Were these girls trying to offend? Or did they just make a mistake not realizing that it could be interpreted as hurtful? And why should average Joe Schmoe have to worry about how other cultures take his actions when he’s interacting in his own culture?
Don’t get me wrong, these girls probably should have watched their actions because they’re on a world stage, but I’m not going to judge their whole culture based on one action that they did. Actually, I don’t think it’s my place to judge any culture. They’re all different and all have their good points and bad points.
@ MayorBee is Haulin’… Haulin’ Ass…Gettin’ Paid :
Yeah, that was part of the point. Racial sensitivity is neither new nor unimportant in Spain.
It’s not whether I am offended, it’s whether they are offending someone else, and whether it’s reasonable to assume that they knew they would be risking that offense. And one step further, whether it was reasonable, given their situation to educate themselves on whether that could offend.
@tmed: I totally agree with you there. I don’t think they knew they were offending (or even possibly offending) someone else. I do think they should have thought about whether or not they were offending someone else, because of their stature.
@mebaman: As an Asian kid in a predominantly white system, I can tell you the kids may have stopped in front of you but for the next 10 years after that conversation they realize that gesture provokes and just use it in a more malicious fashion. Until I grew big and aggressive enough to seriously hurt them. And then it stopped.
@TBT: Doesn’t mean we go around committing… hate crimes…
+ Watch video
I don’t see the problem here. When China had a parade representing the 55 (or so) ethnicities that live within China, all the people were of the ruling/majority Han ethnicity but (allegedly) wearing the costume of the various ethnicities within China.
This would be equivalent to a parade representing the various ethnicities living in America but all the participants are caucasion. There would be one caucasion person in blackface representing African-Americans, another tinted red for Native Americans, another with a red wig and stumbling around representing Irish-Americans, etc. (okay, just kidding on the last one) Wouldn’t that be considered offensive?
Why is everyone coming down on the non-Chinese doing offensive things? Why isn’t anyone coming down on the Chinese for their offensive bungling?
@terekkincaid:
Rofl, pics of said eyes plz,thnx.
@S-the-K: The village people?
They weren’t trying to be offensive. Just cause they made it look like they had slanted eyes doesn’t mean they hate Chinese people. People need to stop taking things so seriously. If Chinese people were offended by it, then the players should say they are sorry and let it be done with. Bringing attention to stupid things like this is exactly why racism still exists today.
Coca-Cola shouldn’t be responsible for this. That’s like saying because I drive a Honda and if I were to get in an accident and seriously injure someone that Honda should be responsible, not me. Coca-Cola didn’t tell the players to make those faces.
I like how half the people are saying that this is racist, even though everyone has done or said something racist at some point in their life. I have a friend that is Asian and he said he wasn’t offended by this. I am white and have been called racist names and wasn’t offended because I know that I am better than that person.
Jesus, people are so used to making fun of Asians and them not complaining that it must now be okay. Wow. Just wow.
@jhurley03: I’m Asian and I was offended. Mostly because I had to put up with the same stupid shit in school and in public. It’s an attempt by a few to belittle me. There is a difference between being the dominant party and not being offended and being the trod upon and not being offended. For you, the act is meaningless. For me it asserts my place is below them, I have to truly be a bigger man to walk away. But Asians walk away and shrug it off too often. How much less often would it occur if I beat the shit out of every person to do such things? Few is any will call a black person a N***** to their face. Why should Asians want it any different?
I think it is offensive and stupid. There are sizable populations of Asians throughout Latin America (including the largest population of Japanese outside Japan, in Brazil, which has been there since WWII). Latin America is definitely behind the US in coming to terms with their problems related to racism, and things like this do nothing to help, nor make Argentina seem like a truly global, cosmopolitan country.
Congratulations, Argentine women’s soccer team, you just made your country look to the rest of the world like an undereducated backwater.
Honestly, while some people would be offended by their pose, I really don’t have a problem with it and nearly all the Asian people I know would not have a problem with it.
@bumba: My fiance is from Romania and thinks that this is not the least bit offensive…maybe this is an American phenomenon routed in hyper-sensitivity and whatnot. Is it that likely that whole teams of young, modern athletes are overtly racist, or is it more likely that WE are misinterpreting this.
Done.
What about the big nose gesture that Chinese people make at Europeans like me? ._.
@JeffMc: As a Korean, nope. It’s funny, and about goddamned time someone took a shot at the dirty freakin’ commie bastards.
MayorBee your reply button is not working.
I’m not suggesting that the current country of Spain is racist but many of the cultures entrenched in Spanish heritage;YES-100% YES.I find it more than a coincidence that players from 2 different countries on different continents are doing the samething.Olympic athletes are defacto diplomats for their countries.Even if their coaches had to instruct them on proper courtesy.Somebody has to make sure their country and people are represented in a good light.
AND I did NOT say we got Mexico and California from Spain.I said no wonder we got Mexico and California.
It WAS said ingest AND to be cynical of THEM.
But what was ” Mexico ” ; in a nut shell an abandoned SPANISH territory as is most of North and South America-abandoned former European colonies.How far removed was Mexico from Spanish rule or possession?How far removed from Spanish or European influence is Argentina-apparently not long enough.
By the way,some have mentioned Brazil as a rude country-I agree but I think you have to blame that one on the Portugeese.
Many have also pointed out that countries like Argentina have been somewhat isolated-yes.But shouldn’t the NATIONAL soccer team who probably gets to do as much travel outside their small world be MORE receptive to different peoples and culture.
And by the way,I think alot of people from ‘old Europe’ ARE elitist if not racist.I still see a sense of “superiority” from them.I have had to work WITH people from England and they still act like THE boss.
I think many of these old European countries have a yearning for the past just as many Americans are still fighting The Civil War-But at least we do that HERE and not in our host’s presence.
I also think companies like Coca-Cola some responsibility to sell responsible behavior.But maybe they’ve been selling their products in these countries a little too long.
This Azn sez:
When you’re like 10 and other 10 year-olds are doing it calling you ‘ching chong chung chang’, it hurts like a fothermucker. When it’s Argentinians doing it in Argentina in an expression of happiness directed at China, it’s not offensive.
I learned it was useless to get offended at other countries when I lived in Japan and everyone asked me if I had read “Little Black Sambo” because they ***love*** it over there, and think all Americans love that kind of shit.
Jeebus, get a life! As a caucasian, should I be insulted by the exxagerated big round eyes drawn onto most Manga characters? Isn’t this “making fun of an ethnic characteristic”?
Impersonation is the biggest flattery, no? I’m not insulted the Chinese are impersonating USA by winning so many gold medals.
Isn’t that one girl Asian?
Its stupid and so damned elementary, it makes them look like a bunch of childish morons. It IS offensive but in such a juvenile way that it reminds me of Borat, just the “classiest” fellow going, eh? How come people mostly just laugh at his hate and stereotypes? Really, whats the difference? This slant eyed BS has to stop, even if, as some have said “it isn’t offensive anywhere else” – its still bloody stupid and blatantly ignorant.
@terekkincaid:
I think we all know what they meant by making this gesture. I think what you meant was maybe we should ask them if their culture widely regards it as incredibly offensive (which I’m guessing is a big no; probably because there aren’t many asians in Spain or Argentina).
Funny photo!
All that Coke ever regretted was New Coke. Until they went back to Coke Classic because of overwhelming consumer demand and made boatloads of coin. Those clever bastards. So yeah, Coke has never regretted anything. Except Coca Cola Blak. WTF was that?
I wrote so much good stuff, and just before pressing submit I worried that I was going to lose it so I pressed Ctrl-A and Ctrl-C then clicked submit. Except I pressed Ctrl-A and just the letter C, and now I lost EVERYTHING. *crying*
“You may offend all the people some of the time, you can even offend some of the people all of the time, but you cannot offend all of the people all the time.”
—-Not Lincoln