I don’t understand how these Spanish players don’t see where the controversy is when it is blatantly there, How is this supposed to “inspire the Olympic spirit” as Gasol said? This is showing discrimination and the Olympics stand for acceptance. Seeing this made me lose a lot of respect towards Jose Calderon, Pau Gasol, and all the other Spanish players. Seeing things like this makes me appreciate living in San Francisco, where everyone’s so accepting of each other, no matter what our differences are. PLUR everyone, PLUR!!!

Disappointed in the Spanish team for doing it and not apologizing for it –
In the end it may not have been a huge deal if the Spanish team, any member of the team, had said it was mistake and we regret it. But they don’t they just say “I don’t get what the big deal is”
Disappointed in FIBA for calling it a Non-issue
I can’t understand how an organization that calls for the international appreciation and proliferation can look at something like this and say that it isnt even an issue.
Disappointed again for the Spanish team not realizing that this is offensive
The coach compared it to dressing up taller if he played a team that was bigger than spain, which just goes to show how out of touch he is

Let’s just hope David Stern does something about this…

I can understand how Chinese people may feel insulted…I probably would in their shoes… furthermore the spanish team really lacked cleverness when they made this photo shoot…. they could have handled this in better fashion…

however…. does it necessarily mean that was there intention ? no…we simply assume (once again) that our perspective is the right one… I applaud criticism but it doesn’t always have to be cynical.

And I don’t see the press making that big of an issue concerning 8 year old kids enslaved in sweatshops or China’s Imperialist policy over the peaceful nation of Tibet so it’s once again a story of hypocrisy and conflicts of interests…

While we in the Bay Area are correctly more aware of sensitivities, I think the Spanish didn’t see anything wrong. Every country and area is not as diverse. I don’t think it was an intentional mocking of Chinese people. I believe they were trying to say “We’re all Chinese” as a celebration of China hosting the Olympics and their team being part of this incredible spectacle.

There are two sides here. The Spanish team should have been more aware of their action and seen that this could possibly offend. But there also is the side that says, do we have to analyze everything to death? Do we have to be so politically correct, that nothing is acceptable anymore without looking at every possible outcome and reaction to our words and actions? Isn’t intention important here? I’m guessing the Spanish team didn’t plan to offend 1.3 billion people.

A bit off topic though it got me thinking:
The interesting thing is in America as we try for racial equality and tolerance and unity, we actually perpetuate our differences. Why African-American, or Asian-American? What’s wrong with American? If at any time that pride should come out it’s now during the Olympics.

I was in the Dominican Republic last year and met this guy who kind of looked like kobe. During our conversation I asked him what his background was (he was obviously part white, part black, and probably part native). He said he was Dominican. When’s the last time you got that out of an American that wasn’t a redneck? Usually, it’s something like “I’m Filipino-Spanish-German-Irish-Native American, and 1/32 jewish”.

fuckin wops _

I’m surprised that there has not been a post about this yet given the amount of Asian Americans in the Bay Area and on these boards so I wanted to get the feed back on the situation.

I actually looked up GSoM for that reason. As far as my actual feelings about it, they fall in line with most of what dancing chiapet said. And I know its not common practice but I’ll also reference a Truehoop comment made by jbock37

I don’t see the problem with this, it’s hilarious that Spain posed for this picture. They were not insulting the way Chinese people look, they were just playfully acknowledging a common Chinese facial feature. If it was really meant as racist, Spain wouldn’t be playing in Beijing. I really think it’s a shame that people have fallen so deep into the politically correct memory hole that they cannot see the difference between racism and a joke. Yes I do believe racist jokes exist. But this is not racist, it’s a simple joke. Nobody is really offended by this; perhaps “theoretically” offended, which basically means “because people have told me such humor is politically incorrect, by the theory of political correctness I am offended even though in reality I am not.” A racist joke involves a reference to past harm, such as a joke about blacks and slaves or a sexist joke about women. But simply acknowledging a difference, that is neither bad nor good nor harmful, is not racist. It’s FUNNY.

And what’s this “Now they know they were wrong.” Don’t put thoughts in other people’s minds. Try to persuade, agree to disagree, I’m all for that. If people are not convinced by what I’ve written and still think the picture is racist in nature, then fine, but I disagree. All of this just shows the pressure of an international culture that has no respect for freedom of expression, speech, and humor. If everything that MIGHT offend someone is WRONG, then I guess we’re all wrong every time we speak.

I also think it be ridiculous for the NBA to do anything, because
1. Its not directly related to the NBA
2. Fining people for things that ‘might be’ offensive is hard if not impossible. Even, if all parties agreed the incident was offensive, how would you determine the severity of the fine. To my knowledge there is no such measuring stick. Futhermore, is emotional damage even punishable, under civil law? (not a lawyer)
3. I think it would be a violation of the 1st amendment, since no libel was incurred or contract violated. As I believe those would be the only grounds for punitive damage. (once again not a lawyer)

Would it still be the same if the Spanish team took a picture with their lips folded to make it look like they have big lips?

What if LeBron James stretched out his eyes during an interview to make his eyes look chinky, would that be okay?

1) It is not up to the offenders to decide whether it was offensive or not, whether it is logical or makes sense. Take it at face value, if a whole group of people (mainly Asian Americans) are extremely offended by the gesture, just apologize and move on. Do not defend or try to justify your actions which are intolerably racist and offensive. The, “well I have black friends” argument makes me cringe every time I hear it. 2) This is not a derogatory gesture because Asian people are embarrassed about their eye shape (well some are, but that is more a pressure of European imperialism). It is derogatory because that gesture has been a used in a mocking, patronizing way to make fun of, not only just Chinese people, but also of all people of Asian descent, as if all Asian people look the same and have the same culture. Let me put it another way… if the Spanish team painted their faces black and started tap dancing, and black people would obviously be offended, is it because black people are ashamed of their skin color? No, people are offended because of the systemic racism and mocking of black people and culture that came from the minstrel shows 2) It is a complete double standard as Adrian W. pointed out. When it comes to making black people wearing suits and not being “thugs,” the NBA is all about handing out fines. Suddenly when the white Europeans do a racist gesture the NBA does nothing and try to put it on the hush hush. Come on…

and personally I’m not at all offended.

It seems that the best argument that can be made against the gesture is that “Chinese people have been made fun of for this in the past.”

In 100 years, I hope, nobody will find this kind of thing offensive. Because by then, racism will no longer exist. It is a testament to the prevailing atmosphere of racism, perpetrated by “political correctness”, that there is such a strong reaction to this. To be politically correct you basically can’t acknowledge racial differences. Well, like it or not, all races are fundamentally different, whether it be hair color, eye size, or vertical leaping ability- and it is a key part of our respective cultural identities.

Racism only hurts because we allow it to hurt, because we buy into the idea that it is bad to be different. By condemning the team, by saying “don’t do that, it offends Asians” we are adding the message that “Asians, having squinty eyes is embarrassing.”

Affirmative action also sucks because it keeps me from getting into colleges.

that there are way better things in this world to get your undies in a bunch over

nobody freakin disagrees with that!

the only people offended by this are whites who get off on being offended by everything

apparently, the spanish basketball team still got a loud ovation (wit no boo’s) over there after the story broke.

people need to lighten up

After Turkey beat Croatia to advance 2 months ago, here’s an article I found regarding their next opponent, the Germans:

"We have redefined what football is all about. The diehard spirit of falling behind and owning the opponent regardless of circumstance of difficulty. The English look at us and they weep with joy for avenging their defeat at the hands of Croatians. The Germans look at us and quake with fear not seen since the trenches. The Spanish look at us and envy our inhuman determination.

Go ahead Kraut.

Score a goal. Score 2 goals. No no…. Score 5. Doesn’t matter anymore. We are above and beyond your petty numbers and statistical morale mongering.

We are Legend.

And we will defeat the Germans this Wednesday as well. It’s time they tasted some crushing defeat like their favored kin before them, the remnants of old fart Europe being trampled and outclassed by the new, the insane, the indomitable: the Turkish."

Imagine Americans spouting this. National pride or racism?

I think the Chinese Team should do a team photo welcoming Spain’s Team. They can put fake hair all over their chest, arms, legs, and face. A few team members could be smoking cigarettes, others drinking out of bottles of wine while eating chunks of raw garlic.

i just dont see how realistically the spanish team “doesnt get what all the fuss is about”.
and the people that are trying to justify the picture here? are you high?
aside from it being wrong to begin with…not the smartest idea to do it at the beginning of a national event in which the gesture is offensive too. id love to see what their follow up to this is. an event in africa and next the team is all wearing shirts that say the n word? and then give the same rationality…“oh…its to display our spirit for the olympics!”

one word….

To say I’m pissed off is an understatement. I used to have respect for everything Spanish, but I’ve slowly lost it over the years, starting with Luis Aragones, telling his players to chase the ‘monkey’ Thierry Henry around. What did he get? A little POS fine, and a slap on the wrist. Can’t teach an old racist new tricks anyways. Then of course, Spanish football is marred with some of the most racist fans in the World (notwithstanding those in Eastern Europe). These fans are absolutely horrible, enough for Samuel Eto’o once to pick up the ball, and stop the game because they kept chanting monkey noises at him and throwing bananas on the pitch. Then, this happens.

I’m Asian, and my eyes are my most identifiable feature. What’s done is done, and they should’ve apologized. The fact their apologies have been half-assed shows lack of intent, and shows the messed up nature in their head. Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon, especially, I’ve lost complete respect for. Playing in Asian communities like LA and Toronto, you’re gonna jepordize that by attempting to justify your actions? Are you serious? Garbajosa’s statement was the worst of all – he flat out refused to apologize and he thought it was funny. Serves him right – now that he’s out of Toronoto his true colors really show.

There will never be an apology out of the Spanish. In due time I’ll let it go, but right now, I’m steaming so much, my head isn’t on straight. I’m just glad I don’t live in that crappy second world developing POS craphole called Spain.

Someone said retaliation – why should the Chinese team stoop to their level? Yao Ming is a leader, not a clueless tall inbred punk, like Gasol.

it didn’t cost anyone a dime. it didn’t break any bones and won’t leave any scars. it’s just a picture. there’s a lot worse things out there in this world than a silly picture of a bunch of fools – things like Russian killing people in Georgia for example. Everyone needs to keep things in perspective. Seriously, toughen up.

I seriously doubt that anyone on this forum or the world is crying about some idiots doing some racist expression. What people are pissed about, myself included, is the complicity and tolerance of this kind of behavior. As the poster 4 topics above pointed out there have been almost no repercussions from to any of the players above. We want the stupid behavior to end, then stand up and say something about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sbetvlu9Qg&feature=related

Yes no one is getting lynched, hell no one is even getting fired from their job, but again you let this behavior go unchecked it propagate and multiplies. These athletes are not only role models for children in their own country (and their own country seems to have a large problem with both overt and covert racism), but people all over their world. Even if they truly did not know what they were doing, which I highly doubt, they are spreading this negative stereotype and malicious gesture. This is again not an emotional reaction. I know in all reality racism and prejudice will never be eliminated, but at the least we can we try to dissuade people from that kind of stupid behavior and thought.