News, Spain's 'Slant-Eye' Team Photo Stirs Ire. (basketball, Yao Ming, olympics)

[John1960]

A pre-Olympics "slant-eye" pose by the Spanish men's basketball team could leave the gold medal contenders with a black eye as they compete in Beijing.

ABC News: Spain's 'Slant-Eye' Photo Raises Eyebrows

[Bob The Builder]

Hey John

I am Chinese American living in Italy. I am not particularly offended. I chalk it up to mass stupidity, ignorance an bad upbringing. I posted the pic in the Politics forum. Some people think it is ok because the Chinese are such horrible people. Some think it was tasteless. Some think it it only reflective of these "Athletes".

I look at this and the responses and have to ask more about what it says about us as people. Before the internet, you would not get the range of responses. Now we see that when someone does something (good or bad), there are many who would say its fine as well as many who ould condemn the very same act.

[BlueWillowPlate]

"It's something that I haven't seen since I was a kid," said Sarah Smith, a spokesman for the Organization of Chinese Americans in Washington, D.C.
The above was my first thought, too.
It blows my mind that a group of Olympians did it together, and photographed it for posterity.
But in a way, maybe it's good that it happened. The Spaniards are obviously clueless about it. Maybe now they (and others) will be enlightened?
Bob, your attitude is both practical and generous.

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

"It's something that I haven't seen since I was a kid," said Sarah Smith, a spokesman for the Organization of Chinese Americans in Washington, D.C.
The above was my first thought, too.
It blows my mind that a group of Olympians did it together, and photographed it for posterity.
But in a way, maybe it's good that it happened. The Spaniards are obviously clueless about it. Maybe now they (and others) will be enlightened?
Bob, your attitude is both practical and generous.

Thanks for the affirmation Blue

I considered going out in the streets and rioting, but I stepped on one of my kids' toys yesterday and hurt my foot.

Not one of these guys asked " Would my kid be proud of me". From the Article, it appears that the Spaniards need to look inside and reflect as we all should.

I hope that the whole world just stops and thinks a bit about how this can happen in this day and age. Perhaps it is because we have reached this day and age that something like this can happen again.

Every second that goes by without a peep from the Spaniards speaks volumes about them. I am waiting for a reporter to somehow twist this around so that it is China's fault.

[domergurl]

It was stupid, just plain stupid and ignorant. And to think I was cheering them on to win against China yesterday ... no wonder the Chinese team played them so well.

The Spanish media is staying quiet because they don't want to throw gas on a smouldering fire. The Chinese won't say anything because it's not the Chinese way. This is going to be played out on internet message boards.

[Stormcrow73]

The thing that I think is so telling is that some of the Spanish players don't seem to understand there was anything wrong with it! And to think, so many Europeans point to the US and call us racist when the players and the Spanish media fail to comprehend this is offensive!! They need to clean up their own backyard before throwing stones.

[krudmonk]

That's nothing for Spain. The Chinese should be glad they didn't go there to play, or else have egg rolls thrown at them.

[Splinter]

Originally Posted by domergurl

The Chinese won't say anything because it's not the Chinese way.

Let's be glad the Spaniards didn't insult muhammed.

[brikag]

I'm Asian-American. After seeing this picture just tells me that the Spanish Basketball Team members are a bunch of yahoos. Firendly jester my butt. I can't wait until Yao Ming gets on the court back here in the US for NBA season, and gives Pau Gasol a good elbow to the eye when he goes for a lay up. BAM! Now that would be KARMA!!!!!! Pau Gasol wear your goggles!

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

That's nothing for Spain. The Chinese should be glad they didn't go there to play, or else have egg rolls thrown at them.

Oh no you didn't