It has been shown world-wide via the web Spain's Men & Women Basketball Team advertising that they were going to the Beijing Olympics with their fingers pulling their eyes back or up to make a "slant eye" appearance. There were differences of opinions expressed as to whether or not this was offensive to the Chinese (or Asians in general). The answer you get will depend upon whether or not you were raised in Asia or outside of Asia. If you were raised in Asia, no one does that (because everyone has more or less the same type of eye appearances) so Asians don't have the experience of growing up associating that type of action with anything negative or positive. Then as adults, they can handle it in an adult fashion. If you were raised outside of Asia in a community where Asians are small minorities, as I was, I'm certain that most will find it to be offensive. I've never had anyone pull their eyes back in a complimentary way, it was ALWAYS in a mocking fashion. And it was something I had to face in growing up...over, and over, and over again...always with associated derisive laughter and the taunt, "Ching-chong-chong." So when I saw the Spanish Olympic pictures, it made me cringe. The Spanish responded by saying it was meant only as a joke. Sure, big joke, huh? It's all a matter of whether or not it's something someone jokes along with you, or at you. I'm sure the Spanish Olympians had no ill-intent, but it was still insensitive and inappropriate. How would non-Asians view it if Asians in Asia stared at them, pulled their eyes up to make their eyes look larger and more round, and laughed?
Allen
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What is more interesting is the response from China. China has million of dollars contract with Spain so they are down playing this scene.
The bigger question is : What is important in our life when people like Christopher Hitchen, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, & Richard Dawkins make fun, call us dangerous (Christians), that Christianity are "plagiarism from plagiarism, hearsay of hearsay, illusion of illusion, extending all the way back to fabrication of a few nonevents." How do we and should we response?? Or do we still blestfully go on our way as if nothing has transpired????
As for Spain and those who think/say it is a joke I personally believe they are insensitive, bordering on bigotry.
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