Well, well. After calling out Kelly Ripa for being homophobic, Rosie O’Donnell is now being called racist for making “ching chong” noises while describing a Chinese newscast recently on “The View.” Now, as an Asian-American woman, I’ve heard those very same “ching chong” noises all my life. I say this not for sympathy (I only use sympathy to get votes), but as context. These days, whenever I get a random “ching” or “chong” I don't feel hurt, I just think, “What an idiot.” After the former Queen of Nice's remarks, the Asian American Journalists Association issued a statement asking for an apology. And, I have to say, I agree. While meant in jest, her remarks fall into that lazy spectrum of stereotyping that is nonetheless unacceptable. Do I think Rosie was intentionally racist? No. Do I think she made racially insensitive remarks? Yes. And therein lies the rub. Intent does not define racism (or any –ism or –obia for that matter). It merely amplifies its impact. Hypocrisy cuts both ways – to the right and left. Let’s say we’re sorry and move on, shall we? Oh, and Ro, let's be a little more creative with our jokes in the future. ‘Kay?
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3 comments:
Does this mean you are jumping on my "Rosie Annoys the Shit Out of Me(tm)" bus?
If not, here's a comment on TMZ from someone who claims to be her representative.
"The use of the distorted phrases is insulting to the Chinese and Chinese-Americans, and gives the impression that they are a group that is substandard to English-speaking people," says the Asian-American Journalists Association. But Rosie's rep thinks they just don't get it: "I certainly hope that one day they will be able to grasp her humor."
http://www.tmz.com/2006/12/09/rosie-to-asians-get-over-it/
Rosie did apologize if she offended anyone. But c'mon that comment was said as a joke to be funny. She does accents all the time and the intent of this one was not malicious at all.
Lighten up.
You Stupid, your probably a white racist yourself. Rosie's appology was not sincere.
I guess what Michael Richards said about blacks is appropriate too, you racist white trash. "But c'mon that comment was said as a joke to be funny. He does accents all the time and the intent of this one was not malicious at all."
Everything people say is never malicious until harm is done, its how the words are directed towards an individual. Then again, racist individuals like yourself will have a tough time understanding. Narrow minded racist individual and I know you were raised with never seeing any other race besides whites.
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