Basketball players aren't the only Spanish athletes who took pictures of themselves pulling their eyes back to mimic the appearance of Chinese people.
The above photo, taken directly from the Spanish Tennis Federation's web site, shows Spanish tennis players and coaches in the "slant-eyed" pose before their Federation Cup match against China in April. It carries the caption, "Estamos preparados para China," or "We prepare for China."
The most stunning thing about this photo controversy, at least from my own American perspective, is that the reaction in Spain has been almost universally, "How dare you suggest we're doing anything wrong here?" But if Spain is going to have any chance of succeeding in its attempts to get the 2016 Olympics for Madrid, they're going to have to come up with a better response than that.
More at the Telegraph.
Previously on FanHouse:
Jason Kidd Calls Out NBA's 'Double Standard' for Ignoring Spain's Photo
Spaniards Meant the Slant-Eyed Photo to Be 'Loving'
Spanish Team Should Be Prepared to Get Called Into Principal's Office
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-15-2008 @ 1:01PM
Victor Fernandez-Ardois said...
As an American citizen of hispanic descent, I find the whole issue on the Spanish team photo absurd. I do not believe anyone is making fun of a "whole nation" or "race", they're just having fun. I am sure that for most of them, it is their first visit to China and they are very excited and happy.
Some people in America (i.e. the politically correct White Americans including White Hispanics) pay too much attention to the race issue.
It is my observation that most Hispanics (specially from Caribbean countries) would have no problem calling someone in a familiar tone "Negro" or "Negrito", "Chino", "Cano", "Indio", etc.
Lighten up, have fun for God's sake.
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8-15-2008 @ 1:32PM
Maveness said...
Well, as an American citizen of (probably) Welsh decent (meaning, damn white), the reality is that justification of a racist action (or an ignorant action) with "There's nothing wrong" or "It wasn't intended that way" is just sad. And quite frankly, just because they're not Caucasian Americans doesn't give them a free pass.
At the very least, the pictures are ignorant. Ignorance is not an excuse for racist actions. It's a reason, and they could use this opportunity to learn from it. If they don't understand why it's offensive, then maybe they need to ASK and understand the cultural significance.
Let me repeat: ignorance is not an excuse.
And for the record, a heck of a lot of people in the U.S. have no problem figuring out that it's a prejudiced photo.
So I'm kind of not going to lighten up and have fun with such disrespectful photos. Because if the world is going to hold the U.S. to an exacting standard, we can do the same thing right back.
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8-15-2008 @ 4:09PM
Michael said...
Maveness ... I can't agree more with you and disagree with Victor. Talk about universally ignorant! If this article is 100% fact and the Spanish Tennis Federation did indeed sanction this ... The IOC should step up and bring some sort of retribution towards the athletes. Definitely no 2016 Olympics in Madrid!
Regardsless if this was meant to be a joke, it's ignorant and insensitive. The Spanish are just lucky that they are in China - where the Chinese are polite to their guests even if they are offended by them, unlike other venues in Europe where objects are thrown at the athletes that offend the fans.
And Victor this statement of your ...
"It is my observation that most Hispanics (specially from Caribbean countries) would have no problem calling someone in a familiar tone "Negro" or "Negrito", "Chino", "Cano", "Indio", etc."
Just because you are speaking that in Spanish doesn't mean that other people around you who don't speak Spanish do not understand you. There were African players that were called that "your first desciption above" by the fans of the team they played for in the Spanish futbol leagues, at one point during their season, they refused to play because they did not find this too funny or not serious. Offended to the point where they walked off the pitch and would rather forfeit their salaries and not win a match than represent these people.
Just because you don't think it's offensive or impolite doesn't mean that the next person won't. However, in your point of view and that of many of the Spanish players (Jose Calderon in particular), you're wrong if you don't understand it to be a joke. So it's better to claim ignorance than admit it was a mistake. Trust me, the Asian population in Toronto will have fun with him next season ... Pau Gasol have fun explaining that one to your new Chinese teammate on the Lakers.
Horrible, just when you think that a corner has been turned in time, some ignorant fools decide to bring you back to the middle ages.
Ignorant.
btw ... I am Asian. I am offended as is my Irish wife and our daughters, who look Hispanic because they are a beautiful combination of us both, are offended. That picture ... Those actions ... That's not a joke as much as me calling you something debasing your nationality or making jokes regarding your heritage is not a joke.
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8-15-2008 @ 4:17PM
Dr Huxtable said...
"But if Spain is going to have any chance of succeeding in its attempts to get the 2016 Olympics for Madrid, they're going to have to come up with a better response than that."
If China can get the games even with their record of human rights violations, pollution and Tibet, then I feel fairly confident in saying that this is completely meaningless in regards to a Spanish Olympic Bid.
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8-15-2008 @ 4:59PM
Michael David Smith said...
If you think the International Olympic Committee has its priorities in order enough to care more about things like pollution and human rights abuses than it does about things like offensive pictures, you don't understand how the International Olympic Committee works.
8-15-2008 @ 5:01PM
ElCapitanAmerica said...
The gesture is very insensitive if not outright racist. I've noticed many people from European countries are in deep denial about any racism in their cultures, opting to think this is only a problem in the US.
BTW Michael, the word "negro" is not racist in Spanish. It sounds very similar to the "n" word in English but it is not the same at all. I do remember that incident, actually there have been several. In one, Spaniard fans were mocking the players with monkey chants and outright racist insults. In a Formula One, I think they even wore black face at one point. Very immature and ignorant behaviour from a country that should know better.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/08/spain.sport
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8-15-2008 @ 5:24PM
Dave said...
Though the IOC does care about money, which is why after giving NYC the shaft in 2012, Chicago 2016 is just about a mortal lock. Maybe NBC will have figured out how to broadcast live in the Pacific time zone by then....
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8-15-2008 @ 6:49PM
Ixtoc said...
The disrespect to the host country,not to mention the blatant racism of the spanish contingent as displayed by the tasteless and immature photos should mandate Spains immediate expulsion from the games and fofeiture of all medals.Enough is enough,YA BASTA...
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8-15-2008 @ 8:54PM
Cray said...
This is nothing more than a show of loyalty. Lets all just ignore it and hopefully we won't see anymore Spainards feeling the need to show their loyalty (and stupidity) to the world.
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8-22-2008 @ 3:25PM
buzzcowboy said...
Having lived in Latin America for a time, I understand that Victor is accustomed to nicknames like "Negro" and "Guera" and "Chino" and "Orejona" - nicknames that Americans just can't get behind. You can't just call someone "fatty" in our culture and get away with it. On the other hand, Spain has an Olympic bid in and should realize that winning that bid might hinge on how the world feels about you. As an American, I realized that all of the controversy could just be avoided with the right t-shirt. Come on, Spain. Try the American way... http://blog.cafepress.com/?p=641
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