Spanish Basketball Team Salutes Their Hosts

[Anonymous]

"Wow. And there I was thinking that us Europeans prefer not to stereotype. I must have been wrong."

I found Europeans very happy to stereotype... especially regarding Americans. But really, all people seem to share the tendency to stereotype. It's something Europeans and Americans have in common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.

That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.

I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

I'm Asian American and can relate to what you say on many levels. I can really empathize with much of the racism that affects the black community in the US because I have experienced similar situations growing up here. Even when someone extols the achievements of Asians in America and then puts down the blacks, I can't say that I feel comfortable with or warm up to that person. Such a comment reflects a certain character. I'm sure I'm just a heart beat away from being on the putdown receiving line as well, purely based on racist ignorance, if the black person were not in the room, so to speak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.
That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.
I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

Question for you, PP. Do you think you would have had the same experience if you were an Arab woman living in France or a Turkish woman living in Germany? The reason I ask is that sometimes racism is at its strongest when the dominant group feels that there are too many of a particular racial/ethnic group moving into the neighborhood. Thus white Europeans might not be prejudiced against you the way that white Americans are because there isn't a large population of African-Americans in Europe. I haven't been in your situation so you would know better than I. What do you think?

At any rate, racism, like alcoholism, is powerful, baffling, and cunning. There is still a lot of work to do in this country and around the world!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.
That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.
I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

Question for you, PP. Do you think you would have had the same experience if you were an Arab woman living in France or a Turkish woman living in Germany? The reason I ask is that sometimes racism is at its strongest when the dominant group feels that there are too many of a particular racial/ethnic group moving into the neighborhood. Thus white Europeans might not be prejudiced against you the way that white Americans are because there isn't a large population of African-Americans in Europe. I haven't been in your situation so you would know better than I. What do you think?

At any rate, racism, like alcoholism, is powerful, baffling, and cunning. There is still a lot of work to do in this country and around the world!

I'm not the PP, but feel that yes, there is a backlash by the dominant society if there are perceived to be too many of another "foreign" people in their midst. I think it comes down to basic animalistic instincts and when people, like animals, feel threatened, they lash out and attack.

[Anonymous]

The Spanish defenders have been saying that this is no big deal and that it's a common gesture. Apparently, they are right about it being common. Here's another photograph of the Spanish women's tennis federation making slanty eyes just before their match against China.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Another-Spanish-team-discovered-making-eye-slant?urn=oly,100968

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Spanish defenders have been saying that this is no big deal and that it's a common gesture. Apparently, they are right about it being common. Here's another photograph of the Spanish women's tennis federation making slanty eyes just before their match against China.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Another-Spanish-team-discovered-making-eye-slant?urn=oly,100968

Well there are scores of "real life certified Europeans" on this website who have given their bio's to prove their europeaness. These pictures must be lies all lies. Europe is continent filled with highly educated, racially sensitive, egalitarians ( oh, but please ignore Bosnia, riots in France, and that little WW2 incident where 6 million Jews were killed while the rest of Europe watched in apathy). I think this is a right wing conspiracy spearheaded by the Bush administration. Don't you think its just too coincidental that there are now 2 Spanish sports teams giving the slanty eye salute?

[Anonymous]

Well, to be fair, if you look into most nation's history, you are bound to find examples of racism, violence and crimes against humanity. So I don't think it's fair to cite examples from Europe's past to bolster the argument that Spain's basketball team behavior was racist.

What I'm more interested in discussing is - if in the year 2008, is it okay, is it funny, is it just childs-play to make the slanty-eye gesture in reference to Chinese people? I'm thinking it's not so okay in 2008. Maybe the Mickey Rooney's bit (in Breakfast at Tiffany's) with the buck-tooth and slit eyes was funny in 1961, but it's almost painful to watch now.

The idea that the picture of Spain's basketball team was done in good-natured humor and light-hearted is what is offensive to me, and that perhaps Spain's idea of humor (at the expense of Asians) is at best anachronistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.
That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.
I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

Question for you, PP. Do you think you would have had the same experience if you were an Arab woman living in France or a Turkish woman living in Germany? The reason I ask is that sometimes racism is at its strongest when the dominant group feels that there are too many of a particular racial/ethnic group moving into the neighborhood. Thus white Europeans might not be prejudiced against you the way that white Americans are because there isn't a large population of African-Americans in Europe. I haven't been in your situation so you would know better than I. What do you think?

At any rate, racism, like alcoholism, is powerful, baffling, and cunning. There is still a lot of work to do in this country and around the world!

Yes, I have heard many Turks and Arabs complain about discrimmination in Europe. Many Europeans that I knew said that they would never get involved with a Turk or Arab. On the flip side Arabs and Turks seem to be more comfortable here in the US, but I, as an African American, was more comfortable there.
So, I would agree with you that it might have a lot to do with numbers and percieved threat. I have always believed that it is a good idea, in the ideal world, for different groups to slowly assimilate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Spanish defenders have been saying that this is no big deal and that it's a common gesture. Apparently, they are right about it being common. Here's another photograph of the Spanish women's tennis federation making slanty eyes just before their match against China.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Another-Spanish-team-discovered-making-eye-slant?urn=oly,100968

Well there are scores of "real life certified Europeans" on this website who have given their bio's to prove their europeaness. These pictures must be lies all lies. Europe is continent filled with highly educated, racially sensitive, egalitarians ( oh, but please ignore Bosnia, riots in France, and that little WW2 incident where 6 million Jews were killed while the rest of Europe watched in apathy). I think this is a right wing conspiracy spearheaded by the Bush administration. Don't you think its just too coincidental that there are now 2 Spanish sports teams giving the slanty eye salute?

I don't think anyone has denied that Europe has a real problem with racism - whether through malice or ignorance. But the idea that Europe watched the holocaust in apathy is insulting to the many men and women who gave their lives in the fight against the Nazi monstrosity. I think you need to get a grip and stop being such an asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.
That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.
I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

Question for you, PP. Do you think you would have had the same experience if you were an Arab woman living in France or a Turkish woman living in Germany? The reason I ask is that sometimes racism is at its strongest when the dominant group feels that there are too many of a particular racial/ethnic group moving into the neighborhood. Thus white Europeans might not be prejudiced against you the way that white Americans are because there isn't a large population of African-Americans in Europe. I haven't been in your situation so you would know better than I. What do you think?

At any rate, racism, like alcoholism, is powerful, baffling, and cunning. There is still a lot of work to do in this country and around the world!

Yes, I have heard many Turks and Arabs complain about discrimmination in Europe. Many Europeans that I knew said that they would never get involved with a Turk or Arab. On the flip side Arabs and Turks seem to be more comfortable here in the US, but I, as an African American, was more comfortable there.
So, I would agree with you that it might have a lot to do with numbers and percieved threat. I have always believed that it is a good idea, in the ideal world, for different groups to slowly assimilate.

I think for the most part, if one has caucasian features and fair skin in America you can "pass" as a local, Arabs and Turks alike.

[Anonymous]

Yes, e.g., John Sununu Sr. and George Mitchell both of Arab descent enjoy white privilege. (The earliest wave of Arab immigration was somewhere around 1900 so there are some families that are quite assimilated.) Harder though if you're a practicing Muslim, have an accent, have darker skin, or wear hijab.

[Anonymous]

Is photo Racist or Not? Cast a vote at SI.com

I was kind of surprised that more than half respondents so far thought it was NOT racist. Hm. Assuming more of SI readers are American than European, guess that means neither side is particularly sensistive when it comes to racism against Asians? FWIW, my Spanish in-laws (who still live in Spain) are horrified.

Regardless of which continents are more or less racist, this photo would never have happened with the US women's gymnastics team whose coach is Chinese. (Bejing born I think)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is photo Racist or Not? Cast a vote at SI.com

I was kind of surprised that more than half respondents so far thought it was NOT racist. Hm. Assuming more of SI readers are American than European, guess that means neither side is particularly sensistive when it comes to racism against Asians? FWIW, my Spanish in-laws (who still live in Spain) are horrified.

Regardless of which continents are more or less racist, this photo would never have happened with the US women's gymnastics team whose coach is Chinese. (Bejing born I think)

In response to your note about 50% in the states not thinking it's racist, well, 75% of the US population is still white, living in non-diverse, non-metropolitan areas strewn across the country. They're idea of culture is Chinese take-out.

I don't see the vote/survey thing on SI.com. Where is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an African American woman who is extremely offended by racist statements about ANY race. So when anti Asian comments are made, I run and avoid nuts like that. I have dated every race and would marry or adopt any race.

That said, I have experienced a lot of racism in this country. I wish I could say otherwise. When I was in Europe, I could not make it out of a club or bar without some (White) man asking me out. I dated a European man for years and lived there for a while. I can not say that I ever experienced a white man in the US asking me out, EVER. I am well above average looks, and very well educated, with a very good income. My parents were quite well off, and my whole family is very articulate. I could only assume that the aversion was racial. In the US, I have been asked out by two Asian men, one middle eastern man, the rest African or African American.

I would suggest that we look closely at ourselves here in this country since we are not living in Spain. Lets fix our own problems.

I just want to say I wouldn't equate not asking you to "aversion". I'm a white women, and find many black men very attractive. No black man has ever asked me out either. I think a lot is situational and - even though I agree that this country still has a lot of work to do re: racial equality - I think it is a stretch to say that not being asked out by white men is a result of their "aversion" to your race. I think it could be a lot of things - being overwhelmed by dating somebody of a different race, or by dating a strong, independent, beautiful women (of ANY race). Equating one thing (not being asked out) with the other (racism) is a bit much.

[Anonymous]

I think that it does relate to race attitudes, pp. The fact that the men in Europe ask a black woman out more frequently than here does say something.