Olympic Team's "Slant Eyes" Ad Draws Ire

Spain's Basketball Players Defend Photo Showing Team Apparently Making Their Eyes Look Chinese

(AP)  Players on Spain's Olympic basketball team defended a photo in an ad showing the players using their fingers to apparently make their eyes look more Chinese.

The photo, which has been running as a newspaper spread in Spain since Friday, shows all 15 players making the gesture on a basketball court adorned with a Chinese dragon. The photo was part of a publicity campaign for team sponsor Seur, a Spanish courier company, and is being used only in Spain.

"It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way," said Spain center Pau Gasol, who also plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. "I'm sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive."

Point guard Jose Manuel Calderon said the team was responding to a request from the photographer.

"We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture," Calderon, who plays for NBA's Toronto Raptors, wrote on his ElMundo.es blog. "Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way."

International media criticized the photo. London's Daily Telegraph said Spain's "poor reputation for insensitivity toward racial issues has been further harmed" by the photo.

"This was clearly inappropriate, but we understand the Spanish team intended no offence and has apologised," Emmanuelle Moreau, a spokeswoman for the International Olympic Committee, said in an e-mail. "The matter rests there as far as the IOC is concerned."

The OCA, an organization representing Asian-Pacific Americans, also found the photo disturbing. "It is unfortunate that this type of imagery would rear it's head at a time that is supposed to be about world unity," George Wu, the group's deputy director, said in a statement.

The Spanish women's basketball team also posed for photo doing the same thing, and four members of Argentina's women's Olympic football team were shown making similar faces in a photograph published last week.

Gasol said it was "absurd" people were calling the gesture racist.

"We never intended anything like that," he said.

The Spanish basketball federation declined to comment Wednesday. "The players explained what happened," Villanueva said. "We think that's enough."

A Seur official in Madrid said the company had not intended to offend the Chinese people, but has no immediate plans to withdraw the ad, which is scheduled to run on selected days until the end of the games.

Seur has not received any formal protest or complaint from Chinese authorities, the official said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.

It's not the first time Spanish sports has encountered questions over racist attitudes, and the photo comes at a time when Madrid is vying to host the Olympics.

"We're surprised by the remarks of racism," said Juan Antonio Villanueva, the communications director for the city's 2016 Olympic bid. "Spain is not a racist country - quite the opposite."

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to abuse at a Barcelona circuit in February, while former Spain coach Luis Aragones also used a racist remark about France striker Thierry Henry to motivate one of his players. Monkey chants rained down on England's black players during an international friendly against Spain in a match played in Madrid in 2004, soon after Aragones' outburst.

The basketball federation had just signed a four-year contract extension with Chinese clothing brand Li Ning shortly after arriving in the Chinese capital for the games.

"We have great respect for the far East and its people, some of my best friends in Toronto are originally Chinese, including one of our sponsors, the brand Li Ning," Calderon wrote. "Whoever wants to interpret it differently is completely confusing it."

Frank Zhang, Li Ning's director of government and public affairs, played down the incident.

"We don't think this is an insulting gesture to the Chinese," Zhang said. "In fact, the gesture shows that the Spanish team is so humorous, relaxing and cute. They sat around a dragon pattern, which we think showed respect to the Chinese.

"Li Ning Ltd. will not change any business plans with the Spanish team because of this," Zhang added. "People should focus on great Olympic Games instead of something else."

World champion Spain is 2-0 at the Olympics after rallying to beat China 85-75 Tuesday while consistently getting booed.

[hawksprings]

The Chinese have no sense of humor. Just ask them.

[s002wjh-2009]

well hawk

the chinese didn''t complain it as indicate in this article!!

[butterflync]

It''s not this incident, but the Spanish team members and coaches'' poor response to it that shows their complete insensitivity. I hope this shows the world and the IOC that Spain should not be considered for any Olympic bid.

There aren''t many racists who really believe or see their actions as being exactly what they are. I mean, does anyone remember Archie Bunker? Folks like that always blame the other groups for being overly sensitive. I''m not saying that some minorities doen''t blow things way out of proportion sometimes, because as a minority, I get tired of some of the lame "causes" we take up which are non issues. But in this case, ask any Asian child who has ever been teased with someone purposely slanting their eyes with their fingers if they felt it was a gesture of good will. Let''s just let the ignorant Spanish alone - their actions speak for themselves.

[writersinc]

Wow, I can''t believe some people don''t get it. There should be no room for racism in the Olympics and it is disappointing to see the Spanish basketball team express that it is no big deal. Furthermore, to justify why someone would do that? Do they NOT GET IT? Have some respect for the host country and the people. You''ve definitely lost my respect for your team. - California, USA

[writersinc]

Wow, I can''t believe some people don''t get it. There should be no room for racism in the Olympics and it is disappointing to see the Spanish basketball team express that it is no big deal. Furthermore, to justify why someone would do that? Do they NOT GET IT? Have some respect for the host country and the people. You''ve definitely lost my respect for your team. - California, USA

[writersinc]

Wow, I can''t believe some people don''t get it. There should be no room for racism in the Olympics of any kind and it is disappointing to see the Spanish basketball team express that it is no big deal. Furthermore, to justify why someone would do something as silly as this? Do they NOT GET IT? Have some respect for the host country and the people. You''ve definitely lost my respect for your team. - California, USA

[redbds]

Wow. What a world we live in today. Anything and everything you do can be called racist or politically incorrect. It seems obvious to me that these players were not trying to be racists. Everyone just needs to lighten up a little bit.

[guest173]

they shouldn''t joke like that, and they especially shouldn''t print it in a newspaper. spain should learn from their mistakes and not do it again, treat others how you want to be treated

[guest173]

Li Ning Ltd is sending the wrong message trying to blow it over. they should cancel their contract.

[haoli25]

They may have 1.3 billion A S S kickins'' waiting for them in China!

[babooph]

All this for one bad joke?

[scottyusa]

Hey this was certainly in very poor taste but I don''t think it was meant to be racist. Lighten up. Have we all lost our senses? They apologized and admitted it was dumb. What more do you want? Crucify them? For being stupid. I think they learned their lesson already.

[gogam]

People who have NEVER been affected by racism obviously have never encountered the bitterness that scars the psyche when encountering a racial epithet thrown upon them. Unless you are a visible minority, you will never feel the indignation that surely follows. Stereotypes, epithets, slurs and even just a gesture is reminder enough of the sting of racism. Being a minority myself I know first hand of the realities of direct and indirect forms of racism. As much as we like to admit, the equal playing field that supposedly exists for people of all skin colors and nationalities, is just an ideal. There will never be true racial equality without educating those who are ignorant of racial sensitivities. We should nip (no racial pun intended) the offending issues "at the bud" before there is ever the possibility of it getting firmly entrenched as acceptable forms of "cuteness." Would a Jew think it cute if I clicked my heels and saluted the Fuehrer upon meeting him/her for the first time? I''m sure it doesn''t take a Jew to reel from the appalling insensitivity of the gesture.

[erniepf]

sean, you cracker, you....

You''re absolutely right! Get over it!

[deacon20081]

Pay back for the little girl that sang at the opening ceremony..that was not cute enough...so they used another girl to fake it...

[lovesamerica]

I am overweight, daily I am slammed with negativity. I am blonde, again, the stereotype. I do not date,won''t even go into the comments on that. We all are different and we all need to get a grip, I didn''t get upset when I went to a fancy restaraunt alone, for my birthday, and was asked by the waitress if she could set a tray of dirty dishes on the other side of the table since it wasn''t being used. we are all too touchey!!!!!

It''s just another slant on saving face.

[haoli25]

I am overweight, daily I am slammed with negativity. I am blonde, again, the stereotype. Posted by lovesamerica


Maybe you should have went to the gym for your birthday. Remember, sympathy is fattening.

[whiskyrokkr]

The Chinese don''t geve a rats A$$ what these want to be basketball players think.

[whiskyrokkr]

The Chinese don''t geve a rats A$$ what these want to be basketball players think.

[lovesamerica]

I went before dinner butt wipe

[misspp-2009]

So what''s new! Spain is known to be a racist country.

[ocasanas]

"So what''''s new! Spain is known to be a racist country": No, racist no, we hate everyone equally. I know that for some people ''slanting their eyes'' might seem something not appropriate, but I also know that these people who make a big deal about it, they''ll also make a big deal about anything: coffee too hot, neighbor too ugly, car across the street too old to be parked in front of my beautiful house, and on and on. Perhaps if Chinese people were dressed as bullfighters that could be considered ''racist'' because it belongs to the ''Spanish culture''. It''s an honor for the basketball team to ''slant their eyes'', in other words, it''s a way for them to say that they are proud to be in China. I ''slant my eyes'' to my wife, who is Asian, and she ''slants her eyes'' to her family and friends, who are also Asian. If I were Asian, I would be proud to see someone ''slanting their eyes'' at me, that they recognize me as Asian and that they "want to be like me". Honestly, I don''t think it''s racist at all.

[demex97]

Dude....I went to Mexico recently. Talk about a bunch of freakin racist. I just shrugged my shoulders and kept drinkin my Cerveza. I didn''t whine and call the ACLU.

[Marie Zarankevich]

I had been hoping that all the nastiness going on in the world would be revealed for what it really is, and where it really is. -- That all the bad guys would be shown up and could no longer hide behind religion, or good people, or high office. -- With all the recent revelations happening all over the world, and the news so full of stories that make us gasp and cover the kids ears, I had felt that my prayer had been answered. -- Now I am beginning to feel that it has gone too far, and I no longer want to know so much. -- I guess we are being treated to the seamy underbelly of everything now. -- The moral here is to *Be careful what you wish for, you might get it*.

[toldyouso12]

Another Eurocentric country--trying to hide their obvious racism behind the "Awe shucks, we were just playin''" BS.

[toldyouso12]

Wow. What a world we live in today. Anything and everything you do can be called racist or politically incorrect. It seems obvious to me that these players were not trying to be racists. Everyone just needs to lighten up a little bit.

Posted by redbds at 02:47 PM : Aug 13, 2008


Says someone who is probably from the group that most makes fun of other races.....Yeah--we gotcha.

[toldyouso12]

We all are different and we all need to get a grip, I didn''''t get upset when I went to a fancy restaraunt alone, for my birthday, and was asked by the waitress if she could set a tray of dirty dishes on the other side of the table since it wasn''''t being used. we are all too touchey!!!!!

Posted by lovesamerica at 10:23 PM : Aug 13, 2008


Would you have been a bit touchy if she had warned you not to eat the remaining dregs off the plate? See, its not the obvious gesture, but the intent. You may not mind dirty dishes across from you or other''s attitude that you cannot get a date--but maybe you would have minded if it was inferred that you were so fat because you ate every single thing you could--even the leftover putrid crumbs off of dirty plates--its all in the delivery dear--and that is what makes us all touchy. Spain was beyond tacky and until they become more international, should keep their lame azzes home.

[gogam]

"...I ''''slant my eyes'''' to my wife, who is Asian, and she ''''slants her eyes'''' to her family and friends, who are also Asian..." posted by nfclrd.

That''s that stupidest thing I''ve read here today. Why would your wife (who''s Asian) slant her eyes to other Asians. Either she''s racist herself or a hypocrite at best. That''s like a black man being proud to wear a KKK hood. That''s sad.

[gogam]

to nfclrd.

It''s obvious that you have never been affected by racism because; A. you''re not a visible minority B. you lack the intelligence or sensitivity of understanding the nuances of racism and racist attitudes.
Wearing a Spanish matador''s costume is much different than saying (for example) that the Spanish matador''s garments look silly and are for sissies.
To adorn a Spanish costume is to say that you are honored to be protrayed as Spanish (you do so in adoration). To mock the garb itself is entirely different. Understand the difference.

[gogam]

To nfclrd.

I''m assuming you are NOT a visible minority so to educate yourself on the "nuances" of racism you can do this: Cover your whole face in dark or maybe even black makeup and walk around Harlem for one day. Try to explain to people that you are trying to feel what it means to be "black" and I''m sure you will go home invigorated by your experiences.
Conclusion: You''re about as sensitive as a doorknob.

[toldyouso12]

When ever you hear the phrase the people take something "too seriously" or "need to lighten up" invariably, tha person is the one continually putting down the banana peel or the one laughing and not the one who keeps accidentally slipping on them.

People who say "lighten up" or "get over it" are people who are usually not targeted. Making fun of anyone is the first step to diminishing them as a person, after that comes more propaganda and social actions to reinforce the "jokes" after that, comes lynchings, pogroms and in extreme cases--genocide.

The persecution of the Jews in Germany and Europe did not start with killings, they started with jokes, jibes and cartoons depicting Jews in negative ways--if the Jews did not like that fact, they could say nothing--lest they be seen as a poor sport. It escalated from there. Fvck lightening up--learn to treat people the way you would like to be treated--and that means all of it---not just an isolated joke--but the internalized ugly behavior that comes, when people target any person, group or race as "it" and routinely goes after them.

[toldyouso12]

Dude....I went to Mexico recently. Talk about a bunch of freakin racist. I just shrugged my shoulders and kept drinkin my Cerveza. I didn''''t whine and call the ACLU.

Posted by demex97 at 01:12 AM : Aug 14, 2008


Of course you didn''t--the ACLU has no power in Mexico. Maybe you''d have a different view, if the "racism" you faced in Mexico, had been prefaced by them kicking your azz, or trying hang you from a tree or hacking in your Cerveza--bet that would color the next time you went back there--IF you went back there. People are touchy for very good reasons.

[toldyouso12]

"It''s not the first time Spanish sports has encountered questions over racist attitudes, and the photo comes at a time when Madrid is vying to host the Olympics."

Spain is not ready to host the Olympics. In other news, the Spanish team will later travel to Nigeria, where they hope to show affection by wearing gorilla costumes and carrying spears. These people have some issues--maybe that bombing in Madrid was not so much an act of terror as it was a protest to their attitudes--or maybe it was an international sign of affection--you know--using something to really spread the "love" around. Makes about as much sense.

[dinzosaur]

Seur needs to pull the ad it has running of the Spanish basketball team NOW. Spain is constantly hurting its own image worldwide. In their own language, Spain has already been marginalized. The rest of the developed world recognizes Spanish as belonging to the Hispanic illegal, uneducated migrants running over the border to steal people''s jobs and give them diseases. Which is a terrible and incorrect way to think of any group of people, actually, but that is nonetheless the general perception. So when Spain shows its own ugly face, in the minds of the international community it''s only adding to the negative perception everybody already has about all Spanish-speakers. As the child of first generation immigrants from Spain, I am consistently mortified by Spain''s absolutely idiotic behavior, and would love to disassociate myself from that country if possible. Spain can''t tell the difference between individual Asian features, and jokes that everyone is a slanty-eyed dragon. Well, the rest of the world can''t tell the difference between Spaniards and Mexicans--Spain is only confirming that regardless of ethnicity or location, all Spanish-speakers are uneducated, estupido, sucio y pobre. Seur needs to pull that disgraceful ad now, before they get worse publicity and lose all their business and Spain falls even further in the world view. Everyone who loves Spain and Spanish culture should start protesting Seur as a company.

[tireslinger]

Poor judgement? To that, I''d say yes. Racist, malicious...etc., I really don''t think so.

[rickstas]

Shame on these guys.

[libsluv2spit]

what should we expect..europeans have this natural gift of being vain and cocky.

its eons of oppressing the rest of the world...lots of experience..

[toldyouso12]

...."In other news, the Spanish team plan to paint their faces with black shoe polish to show solidarity and affection to the blacks in Africa, when they play in Nigeria. It remains to be seen ,if the Africans see this as a nice gesture or as racism...back to you Ted"

[toldyouso12]

I really think I am more beauty than many western women, some have surgery to make this eyes.
Some chinese , they make miserable themselves with their complain, don''''t do this, I love my eyes.


Posted by vivaviva80 at 06:30 PM : Aug 14, 2008


to be honest, although Asian women are known to have eye "correction" surgery to have a more rounded eye, I know of no Caucasian or any other race woman who tries to get their eyes to look more Asian. The reason is, to do that, they would need to create a deep epicanthic fold, which to the Western eye, often looks austere and severe. This would also leave a scar as the addition of tissue is not as easy as the removal in such an operation. Asian women are some of the most beautiful women in the world, BUT when this kind of thing is done by Westerners it is not a compliment, it is the type of things children do to make fun of or be derogatory about other people.

So many Asians may be mad, because they know the intent behind the act and that intent is not a compliment, it is ridicule.