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There is a specific way that kids pull on the corners of their eyes that is practically embedded in our collective memory as Asian Pacific Americans. That Twilight Zone of ignorance: One minute you are running across a playground with all of your friends, happy, wearing a Shaquille O’Neal t-shirt and jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch and the next you are completely alone, barely able to see your reflection in the nearly-closed eyes of those around you. Yes, we know — all too well — the “Ching-chong,” the “pancake-face,” the “do you eat sweet and sour pork every night?”
Our recent Irwin Tang opinion piece has focused international attention onto the authenticity of ethnic slurs, APA sensitivity and the responsibility of superstars. AsianWeek has been inundated with some 200 letters, from all around North America, from people of all races and ethnicities, all with different takes on the issue. We have been fielding media calls from sports reporters from Los Angeles to Florida, all wanting to weigh in on the issue. We spoke to a New York Times reporter who said that when she was working in China, she remembered seeing life-sized cut-outs of Shaq in small shops, where the flashy basketball player was a true icon to the children.
More than anything, this hoopla — which all leads up perfectly to the showdown between the Lakers and the Rockets on Friday: the NBA must be loving us — has drawn important attention to the continued ignorance about Asian foreigners in this country, especially in the sports media. They have no idea what to do with Yao Ming. In fact, Shaq’s original comments were prompted by the Fox Sports reporter he was speaking to, who also joined in with his own fake “Chinese” commentary.
The APA community MUST be vigilant and critical in its response to issues like this. Senseless and misguided anger, like that directed towards radio host Tony Bruno — which included a series of death threats — is completely ridiculous. Bruno, who insists that he did not invite listeners to make fun of Asians as the Tang article insinuates, should not be the target of hate and violence. Instead, we need to aim for the bigger picture. Organized e-mail blasts to the Lakers PR offices and the NBA asking for a formal apology may get us one. Thoughtful editorials in newspapers nationwide and a closer watch on mainstream sports media will hopefully bring a heightened awareness for the whole country. Perhaps, through our thoughtful work today, we can save some APA kid on a playground somewhere from going through what we went through.
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