perezhilton.comOK! so today was supposed to be a post about the experience of being front row at the MAURY Show. But, I have bigger fish to fry.
I came across an article, "Is Miley Mocking Asian People?", where she and her friends make 'slanted eye' faces. Executive Director of the OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans), George Wu, puts it accurately,
"This image falls within a long and unfortunate history of people mocking and denigrating individuals of Asian descent. Not only has Miley Cyrus and the other individuals in the photograph encouraged and legitimized the taunting and mocking of people of Asian descent, she has also insulted her many Asian Pacific American fans. The inclusion of an Asian Pacific American individual in the photo does not make it acceptable." - Wu
Here are some comments left by readers; I am shocked but then again not too surprised of some of the ignorant comments left regarding the photo. I have tried to post various, differing opinions but found much more ignorant comments than cognizant ones:
"I doubt it will be a big deal since she only offended Asians. She won't get fired and I doubt Disney will demand an apology. IF they did I would be surprised." - Paintsplatter
"Oh come ON. In the pic, did NO ONE notice the Asisan kid??????? Christ, people need to stop calling racism for EVERY LITTLE THING!" - Fluteline24
"haha. organizations like that will do anything to catch the public's eye." -graced
"Honestly, you aren't Asian so WHO IS EXPECTING YOU TO UNDERSTAND? Its not a big deal, it's a racist deal. Stop being so ignorant, by doing this she is validating outdated prejudices and racism. - Alicia
"Ok, who has heard of the "OCA"? Why isn't there some pouring outcry anywhre else on the internet?"- Anonymous
"No, Disney should tell the special interst group to piss off. Since when did AZNs turn into such pussies, anyway? Ninjas and Samurai don't cry over some teenager slanting her eyes. This "OH MY GOD APOLOGIZE RIGHT NOW FOR YOUR TRIVIAL 'INSENSITIVE' COMMENT/ACTION' attitude is the cancer killing modern culture." -Anonymous
{This comment above encompasses all that is wrong with the conception of race and prejudices against Asian Americans. Awareness and being cognizant through education is key.}
My humble opinion: Asian Americans have been contesting the stereotype of being submissive and obedient to authority for quite some time now. We have been criticized for being passive and not speaking up. When Asian Americans now take a stand and voice derisive gestures as racist and unjust, we are again criticized. Comments like "haha. organizations like this will do anything to catch the public's eye"only serve to perpetuate the oppression of not only Asian Americans, but all those who have the courage to express the injustices in the world. Ok, I will now step off my soapbox.
c
3 comments:
It's interesting how easy it is to dismiss the feelings and the right to demand respect of an entire group when you are part of the majority. Oppressed groups are nowadays often deemed overly sensitive in response to gestures, statements, or other actions that are racist against them. I agree that there are many complaints, but that is because there is rampant racism. I can't claim to know what Miley Cyrus' intentions behind the photo are. If they weren't racist, she definitely displayed the worst judgment I've seen in a while. The ignorance in the comments were just sickening. "Ninjas and Samurai"? Yeah, that is the entire makeup of Asian culture.. Sad...
Is it bad that I think that's the prettiest I've ever seen Miley Cyrus? Seriously, she's not even worth thinking of; the kid is gross and obnoxious, not to mention ignorant, which would explain the picture.
did you hear about this photo? your post reminded me of it. how can ppl think it's even appropriate? people suck sometimes.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/14/olympics.photo.spain.basketball/index.html
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