Monday August 11 2008 - 3:45pm Eastern
This may be my shortest blog ever … ’cause the picture tells the story. There’s not much for me to say … other than … WHAT was the Spanish Basketball Federation thinking?
I really don’t know what to make of this … but … it’s hard to say that it’s not racist. At the very least it’s highly insensitive and inappropriate
http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/11/spanish-bball-team-takes-their-eyes-off-the-ball/
Feel free to share your thoughts below
E. Smith
If this is not racism then racism don’t exist.
You make fun of people based on how they look? HOW DISGUSTING!
Shame on you Spanish national team! There’s no excuse for such pathetic behavior. What’s wrong with this world!
- Beburg aka The 88mph manBelieve it or not, this is racist. It is one thing to point out differences in ones culture, traditions, customs etc. It is entirely something different to mock a culture, race, ethnicity, based on looks.
Looking back to American and Canadian history in television and theatre, any civilized and educated individual would consider “blackface” which was highly popular back in the day to be racist. No matter how ignorant the perpetrator is, does not change the effect it has on the individual being sterotyped. This is modern blackface (to a lesser extent).
Its difficult for those of the paler complexion who grew up here in Canada to understand this. I grew up here and always felt Canadian and just like everyone else until I was 8 and told I was a “Paki” and should go back to where I come from. All it takes is 1 comment to make someone feel un welcome, and believe it or not, this affects the self confidence of that individual for a long time.
This stuff has to stop. It is the lowest form of humour and does no good. If you think it’s “just a joke, relax”, than you probably don’t have much of a sense of humour. These so called “jokes” are what perpetuates sterotypes, which lead to prejudices and ultimately racism, which is the act of a prejudice. It has a domino effect. It does matter.
Anyway. Bad taste by the Spanish guys. How will the Asians greet Jose Calderon back here in T.O.? Not good!
- Sean HI don’t know it is pretty DUMB MOVE. Having said that this is an American based site and they are looking for dirt on Spain I am sure.
It is really basically a tabloid site “TMZ” isn’t this the same site that had the Matt Lienart photos with the Chicks in the Hot Tub?
They are all about getting attention for their site by any means possible.
Anyway I think it is stupid forsure but I also think there is more to it and it has been taken out of context to somepoint. I don’t know I just think we have become a hyper society about things like this. Yes any kind of racism is WRONG. But I think we go out of our way to look for it as well.
- James BorbathThat is just not right. Obviously it is racist, come on, you think the chinese like that? They should not be doing that, it just shows their lack of professionality and resect towards the game of baseketball and towards the spanish baseketball association. It is kinda sad and it just tells be that these guys need alot of maturing to do and should not be signed on anyteam in the NBA or anywhere else. Honesly it makes the spanish look bad to say the least. It is something that may not get publiclity but i hope they get disqualified, Im speaking on behalf of my chinease friends
- RapsfanAnd they said Ford was a Chump.
- Andre from B- townTo be clear … I never said it wasn’t racist. It is. I’m really surprised by this
- E. SmithRespect is a bad bad thing, when you lose it once it’s one helluva task to get it back… Talking to you Jose Calderon!
- Beburg aka The 88mph manI don’t think you can hang this on Jose Calderon as a single person. It was the entire team not just him. I think that is unfair to single out Jose. I am a T.J Ford Fan and could easily turn this into a bashing Jose thing. But truth is I like Jose as well and will stand behind him. Unless you have proof this was his idea to do this picture I do not think it is right to blame him. Could he have objected, spoke up and said something. Sure but as in all things with Jose he just did what his team was doing. In this case that was not likely the wise choice. In the end yes this is bad but I am not willing to throw a guy under the bus based on a single action that he did not even make on his own.
- James BorbathThats funny. Get a grip. If they make fun of white dudes does anyone publish anything. Know whats a joke and whats racist. Would like to hear from an asian that cares about this other than to get a good chuckle. Oh I forgot, spanish peaple hate asian peaple. NOT THE CASE.
- Rob HoughAs a person of Chinese descent, I am more shocked than anything, especially knowing my favorite players (Calderon, Garbajosa) are on that team.
Who do you blame? The players? The marketing company that came up with this campaign? The publisher of the periodical that chose to print it? All of the above?
I used to get personally offended at stuff like this. Not so much anymore - it’s gotten old. And besides, other people express their objection for me. :)
- Jeff WI don’t think this is racist. They’re purpose was to honor the Chinese, just like writing someone’s number on the back of their shoes. That said, this idea of the eye slant wasn’t a well thought out idea on terms of honoring a country. The problem is that what they choose to do is something that already has preconceived condentations to it. If this was the first time anyone had ever done this it may be looked at as acceptable. It is a shame how people will take it. So in recap, I believe it’s fine and a nice gesture because it’s the thought that counts in my book.
- Aaron M… but next to nobody will take it that way.
- Aaron Mso that said, they probably shouldn’t have done this. If they wanted to honour the chinese they could have done something else like all waiving a mini chiness flag. You have to question what their motivation was.. was it to take attention away from the US team? some people believe any attention is good attention. We’ll see.
- Aaron MI don’t think their intentions are racist.
You have to remember, the site your getting this from is TMZ for crying out loud, and those guys will try to spin a story any way they can to generate more hits.
By the way, Ricky Rubio is a sick player.
- AndrewThis has nothing to do with TMZ. This has to do with what the original ad was in the first place.
- E. SmithCalderon posted the following today on his website, josemanuelcalderon.com:
“I would like to share a story with you about something that happened with the Spanish National Team that someone interpreted incorrectly. It happened in the photo session where the Spanish National Team was introduced; one of our sponsors asked us to pose with a “wink” to our participation in Beijing, we made an oriental expression with our eyes. We thought it was something appropriate and that it would always be interpreted as somewhat loving. Never the less some of the European media did not see it this way.
“From here I would like to declare that we have a huge respect for the East and their people, some of my best friends in Toronto are from China and one of our Spanish National Team sponsors is the Chinese brand Li Ning. Anyone who would like to interpret this differently is absolutely confused.”
- Jeff Wyou people need to relax a bit!there is nothing racial here…!
- joe kitaI don’t know who thought up this idea for a photoshoot. Why would a sponsor what to upset the hosting country with this idea for a photo? There’s no need to push the envelope in this kind of matter.
- Jay-DWhile I really don’t believe the intent was racist, this may be one of the dumbest and most insensitive ideas ever conjured up. Racist or not these people are representing the nation of Spain and should face discipline for their stupidity. No-body ever said athletes and their staff were the brightest stars in the sky.
- Jeff CERIC!!!!
About the spanish photo. Though it may have not been their intension to be offensive, they have to understand that some people will be offended. This isnt something theyre doing around their friends, thev’t put this out to the world for everyone to see. THis diesn’t mean they are bad people it just means they didn’t think twice beofre putting out this ad. If they were trying to be disrespectful then Jose wouldn’t be backing himself ( and Spain) up by saying they meant the gesture in a loving way. I hope you read this on air. I wish the bridge was not just temporary.
Andrew
- andrewI can understand how some people who don’t follow sports look at this and call it racist but for everyone reading it here, you seriously cannot believe that the Spanish are that stupid to make a racial statement like that knowing the heat they would take. It was obviously done in a good-natured way, as Jose said. Too many people have become over-sensitive to issues like these. Maybe if we worried a little less about what one or a few people are saying, then we will have time for more important issues in life. Nobody is in the hospital or dead as a result of this, let’s act like it.
- JamieInteresting that Jose chose not to apologize in the event that someone was offended. Looks like he’ll need some good mentoring when he gets back to TO. Until then his star status is a little dimmer then it was before.
- Jeff CWhat might seem inappropriate to us Canadians might not be the same to another nation. I clearly remember Jaromir Jagr giving the Pittsburgh crowd the middle finger after scoring a winning goal. Jagr, from the Czech Republic, thought he would like to show his respect back to his adoring fans… little did he know what flashing the middle finger meant to North Americans.
You have to admit… Calderon and the rest of the Spanish players are outstanding professionals and would never do anything to be so ignorant on purpose.
- petroIn response to Rob Hough. “If someone made from a white dude?!!!” Come on! You RARELY, if at all, see any racist remarks against Caucasians. Anyways, not the point.
This incident is clearly a stereotype issue. I don’t know if it is racist (I don’t think the Spanish national team is saying they hate Asians) but it is definitely a stupid thing for them to do. I am Asian and am not offended by the picture, however, any act depicting ANY ethnic group in a negative way is deplorable. I just find their actions beyond stupid, on all levels, players, coaches, management, PR, etc. I don’t think any explanation or apology can atone for their stupidity and ignorance. I know Jose tried on his website but the “back-peddling” doesn’t fix the problem. We now know how they perceive Asians and that discovery is quite disappointing. Again, I am not offended by the picture (though it may sound as though I am), I am just tired of the ignorance. Grow up people. We’re all the same!
- Tony CHi, this is close to how you make fun and are disgusted by the fat guys you see in the street.
- stephen KwakyePeople need to get a life on this one. This was a joke and people just have no sense of humor. Have all these people commenting never cracked a “newfie” joke or a “blonde” joke? How about the term “african american” that is used all the time to describe black athletes. When was the last time a white athlete was described as british american or from his ancestors background. This offends me greatly but I just put up with it.
Coach Rush
- coach rushIm sorry but I think people are taking this to a whole new level.. If they thought this was going to be a problem do you honestly think they would have done it? Look at all the comedians out there that make fun of race.. Do we not like them cause they do it? Answer is no.. We laugh about it.. I say we stop this now or this will get out of hand cause we the people are allowing it..
- Eddie#8 James,
I am singling out Jose just cuz he plays for the Raptors and we pay to see this guy play. It wasn’t his plan obviously but he’s the 2nd biggest name in that photo behind Pau and should be held accountable for his actions.
- Beburg aka The 88mph manThey say that their imitation is supposed to be funny. let me ask you one question. Who is laughing?
- JaysFanlet me clear up one thing. ASIAN DOES NOT MEAN CHINESE. get it through your head and don’t let it out. it pisses me off sometimes when chinese or others call chinese ASIANS. there are many other countries in asia.
- JaysFan