Shaq--A Racist?
 

Shaq merely misguided, not a racist
By STEPHEN C. SMITH Jr.
January 14, 2003


Here in Wichita Falls, Texas, if you should happen to take I-44 heading out of town, you'll see a gigantic billboard featuring Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal off to your right.

"Because life is more than a game," the billboard says.

Ironically, O'Neal thought he was just playing games last week when the subject of Houston Rockets rookie center Yao Ming came up.

When asked about their upcoming game on Friday night, O'Neal quipped, "Tell Yao Ming, 'ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.' "

Now, the first thought that springs to mind immediately is whether Shaq's patently racist remark makes him a racist.

In this case - no.

I don't say this because of the highly dubious and plain old incorrect thought process that claims that blacks can't be racist. I say this because in my view O'Neal is obviously immature, misguided and a tad ignorant, but probably not racist.

That's the thing about racism.

Most of us view it as being something ignorant - something we should have all outgrown by now - when actually there's a fine line between racism and ignorance, and it's pretty obvious what side O'Neal has put himself on.

"I mean, if I was the first one to do it, and the only one to do it, I could see what they're talking about," O'Neal said.

What we're talking about, Shaq, is how this incident damages your image, which was pretty clean up to this point, and how you've placed yourself in the company of those who most of us refer to as bigots.

You know, people like former Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis, former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, and former Braves and Rangers pitcher John Rocker - all of whom probably had something else in mind when they made their career-altering statements, but like O'Neal, just kept talking anyway.

You see, a person's intent when they say something never excuses the impact of the statement they make.

So what impact will Shaq's ludicrous comment carry?

It will most certainly further hype ESPN's broadcast of the game featuring the first O'Neal-Yao Ming match up, but not the way you think. Yao has so far taken the high road and doesn't appear to be angry about the situation.

"I believe Shaquille O'Neal was joking," Yao said, "but I think that a lot of Asian people don't understand that kind of joke."

True, but not too many people of any race, color, national origin, religion or gender understand those kinds of jokes - especially when they're aimed squarely at them.

This is no mere incident of trash-talk between athletes and cannot be dismissed as such. It's a lot more than that because this comment comes from someone who should know better.

A comment like this from a world-famous celebrity who has dressed up in Asian-style clothing and referred to himself as "Shaq-Fu" for fun and profit tells you a lot about the person who made it.

"At times I try to be a comedian," O'Neal said. "Sometimes I make a good joke and sometimes it's a bad joke."

Maybe O'Neal had better stick to playing basketball and try to get the Lakers above the .500 mark while leaving the jokes to people who at least have a clue as to what they're saying, because life is more than just being stupid.



(Contact Stephen C. Smith Jr. of the Wichita Falls Times Record)

* What do you all think about this? In my eyes, I believe this was a racist remark and should not go unnoticed, nor be ignored. The media has chosen to turn the other way and not report about this. The only reason anyone knows about this is because Fox Sports Radio's Tony Bruno Morning Extravaganza played a recording of the taunt several times to its nationwide audience on Dec. 16 and 17. Bruno commented that Shaq's comment was "not racist," and then asked listeners to call in jokes making racist fun of Chinese.

I've read a few columns about this issue, and some people chalked Shaq's comment to the fact that he doesn't know any better. Doesn't know any better? He doesn't know that when you say a racist remark, there are going to be repercussions and people will be angry. As someone who is a public figure and has Asian American fans, he of all people, should definitely know that what he did was wrong. What's your take on this?

Shaq's not exactly the brain trust. I remember reading an interview with him after his first pro season, just after a team trip to Europe. The interviewer asked him if he got to visit the Parthenon, and Shaq replied, "I don't remember the names of the clubs we went to." :eek: A lot of the people who are dismissing him know that he's not all that up there, but it doesn't make it any better.

It was a damned ignorant comment, and he should apologize. But because athletes at any level are often given chances that the general population isn't, don't hold your breath. It's kinda like that Fuzzy Zoeller comment after Tiger won the Masters.

I don't think he's a racist. I think he is an idiot for saying those things, but I don't think he meant any harm. Shaq is very good at getting into people's heads by saying things through the media. While in most recent cases he was trying to get his teammates to play better basketball, I think in this case he was just trying to get inside Ming's head and intimidate him.

Dictionary time...
 

I don't usually step into these types of issues on Greekchat, but...

I looked up, in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of "Racism": a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. 2: racial prejudice or discrimination.

Prejudice: injury or damage resulting from some judgement or action of another in disregard of one's rights (esp. legal rights). 2: preconceived judgment or opinion 2a)an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge.

Discrimination: (I've selected the most relevant defs): To mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of. 2: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit

Ignorant: Destitute of knowledge or education; lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified. Ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to a lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing.

I don't know Shaq personally. I don't know his motivation when he made the "comment," so anything I say at this point is total conjecture. I just don't think that Shaq's statement fits the classic definition of "racism." I would more likely say that Shaq is ignorant (he may have assumed that Yeo and the general public would think that his comment was funny or inoffensive, when it was neither) or that maybe he is prejudiced (although my question is whether HE thought his comment formed an "adverse opinion," although most folks would say for certain his comment was both offensive and formed an adverse opinion).

Do I think it should be swept under the rug: NO. Just because I'm not seeing a case for racism doesn't mean that either ignorance or prejudice is acceptable. He should apologize publicly, and plan on educating himself about the Chinese culture (some courses at UCLA or Cal State LA, community service and a donation to a Chinese community group would certainly be a good start).

Last note on racism: I think that some folks (and yes, I also mean some of our civil rights groups) have sounded the alarm on the word "racism" so much that it has lessened its significance. To call someone a "racist" or to allege racism is a very serious charge, and one that should not be levied lightly, which I fear, has happened far too much in our society. I have been guilty of this charge--and one I hope to be more careful about in the future.

Racism doesn't exist anymore, duh.

Racist? H*ll no. Ignorant? Perhaps.

Finding humor in cultural differences is NOT racist!!! But, we are in an age that such "practices" are considered as taboo and non-pc.

You are so smart dinosis.

-Rudey

Racist? No. I hear enough of that word slung around here (Ala-freakin-bama). If he had said something like "C*inks can't play ball" or something, hell yeah I'd be pissed too. Granted he was completely stupid for saying something like that, but not racist, at least not by that remark. I thought comments like that were funny in kindergarten. Maybe. I think that Yeo is being the "better man" by trying to cover Shaq's butt. Props to him. If the situation were reversed, how many people think Shaq would be so gracious? I'm holding my breath...

If Yao uttered the equivalent to Shaq, there would be little doubt in my mind that there would be a huge public outcry to have him deported.

:eek: Shaq thought the Pathenon was a club? *lol* He ain't least could have faked it and just said that he was too busy to do any sightseeing......

Anyway, Shaq is an idiot and should, if anything apologies for what he said. Ughhhh.

Huh?!? Someone enlighten me...
 

'ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.' Completely made up or is it really a racist phrase in Chinese?

What exactly is the equivalent of saying "ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh" to a black person? Talking in "black" dialect or ebonics? Because clearly, Yao imitating any of the various African languages wouldn't have had the same effect.

This made me laugh because it exemplifies just how elementary and childish Shaq's comment is. That phrase means nothing in Chinese (I'm almost positive). That was Shaq's poor attempt to make fun of the Chinese language.

Re: Huh?!? Someone enlighten me...
 

no, it is a meaningless comment used by people of low IQ's to demean asian people. i'm filipino, our native language sounds nothing like it, but i've had it said to me before. clearly it shows how ignorant and how prejudiced this moron is. the excuse of having "chinese friends" is the equivaltent of a white person saying "i'm not racist, my best friend is black."

Re: Dictionary time...
 

She,

Thanks for the definitions.

The accusation of being "racist" either to an individual or group has a chilling effect, whether it's true or not. The word itself casts an immediate shadow over any conversation or debate.

It has almost become a new propaganda technique to itself.

I think we should all be a little more cautious about understanding the implications before making the accusation.

In the case of Shaq and his alleged remarks...who cares? This is sports.

When he runs for Senate Majority Leader, I'll worry about it.

The same thing can be said about you guys referring to Shaq-a black basketball player (double stereotype here) as a dumbass.