APA Fan Coverage Takes a Back Seat

When you see stories about sports fans on television or in newspapers, what do you see? There are fervent cheers, grinning faces, waving banners, posters expressing devotion and white Americans. The last thing that comes to mind are Asian Pacific American enthusiasts. Could it be that major TV networks and mainstream newspapers are partisan?

To prove this theory would be near impossible because — to the best of my knowledge — there are no statistics about sports fan coverage accessible to the public. If there were, networks might have to do something about it. This unanswered question ought to be taken into consideration nonetheless.

This is a wonderful time for the Bay Area to be taking an interest in sports. Unless you have been in a cave for the past week, it should be obvious to you by now that our very own San Francisco Giants have made it to the 98th World Series. The last time that happened was in 1989. The San Francisco 49ers are doing pretty well so far too, with 4 wins and 2 losses.

Wonderful as all of this may seem, it would not seem so wonderful to APAs if you have been watching any of the games. Sunday in Anaheim, millions witnessed the pride of screaming Angels fans as they waved their large red bats in sloppy motion. Many sat on the edge of their seat throughout the game, watching that delicate score shift from 0 to 5, with the Angels leading in the first inning, then going neck-and-neck with the Giants in the sixth inning, with 9 home runs each. What incredible intensity.

However, who did we see when the camera focused in on thrilled fans? Who does the camera always focus in on? Cute little white children with baseball caps, who half the time don’t know what they’re grinning at. Young white fans who exemplify the “all-American” type. Or sometimes, as at the World Series, famous people. Let’s see, I spotted, or rather was shown, Charlie Sheen and his new bride Denise Richards. I believe I saw Governor Gray Davis sitting next to the CEO of Disney. All white. Now I don’t have anything against white people. But, I’m beginning to shake my head in dismay every time I sit through a game and witness a largely disproportionate representation of whites to APAs, or to any other minority for that matter.

This phenomenon is a discrete one — many have not even thought about it once. It’s easy to cheer along with a predominantly white population, given that a love for the game can overcome any racial differences. However, after a while, one begins to sense some inequality about the whole issue. Why should we be ignored and hidden from the public eye? Do TV stations or newspapers make more money when they zoom in on white people? Is it some form of subliminal advertisement for the public? Are we less pleasing to the eye? Is it all one big formula or some contrived reflection of prototypical Americans participating in some of America’s favorite pastimes?

In the midst of fun and games, these are serious questions that need to be addressed by those who control sports coverage, by those sitting behind the camera, and by people like yourselves.