Comments on: Obama says Asians are short

By: TheMac

TheMac — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:06:29 +0000

“What are we going to have delusions next? That Asian men are just as hairy as white men? That black women can grown long flowing locks just like white women?”

But these beliefs are harmful when “hairy= masculine”, and “long flowing locks= beautiful”. The idea that black women don’t/can’t grow long hair is a real sore spot for the community, and leads to some people processing their own hair beyond reason, which of course is the reason it breaks. Different issue, though.

Anyway, I think something can be factual, but, when taken out of context, also be inappropriate.

By: TheMac

TheMac — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:02:32 +0000

“By believing that Asians are inherently shorter and smaller, the corollary is made that Asians are also inherently less attractive, weaker, less powerful, and poor leaders.”

I strongly agree with this. I don’t necessarily think non-Asians or individuals not interested in Asian issues make this connection, though.

By: TimeTraveler

TimeTraveler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:22:00 +0000

groinpull is still an idiot for believing midget is equal to short. I’m cool with Asians being assumed as short, but there’s a huge difference between “short” and “midget”.

So, for him to defend that Gina thread is a complete cretin without brain-cells.

By: blockthebox

blockthebox — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:41:58 +0000

I’ll go out on a limb and say the “short” conversation is really about the size of our dicks and not how “short” we are on the court.

And this is why this post is at 30+ comments already — more than it deserves.

By: jaehwan

jaehwan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:28:05 +0000

I like Etain’s comments. But I said that before. :)

Groinpull:

Later.

See ya!

By: nightshade

nightshade — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:03:08 +0000

Why are you retards so obsessed with tallness?

By: etain

etain — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:00:52 +0000

I think it’s possible to be racist without trying to be or even knowing it. In the grand scheme of things this is a pretty small deal, and the only reason we’re talking about it is because it was made publicly and by a presidential candidate who is supposed to embody racial progressiveness. Nevertheless, he’s not perfect, even in this respect, but I don’t hold that against him.

As I said before, pointing out the truth isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it’s the implications that render it harmful or harmless. When Obama says that generally Asians aren’t as tall, it isn’t a harmless statement. It’s only harmless because people hide behind a facade of height/size being neutral, even though we all sub-consciously know it’s not.

The statement “Asians aren’t as tall” automatically implies that Asians aren’t as tall simply because they’re Asian. It doesn’t matter if you and I know that this isn’t true, the vast majority of people in the world already think it’s true and this just reinforces that notion.

Greater amounts of height and size are equated with positive characteristics, such as physical attractiveness, strength, power, management potential, etc. By believing that Asians are inherently shorter and smaller, the corollary is made that Asians are also inherently less attractive, weaker, less powerful, and poor leaders.

This connection exists. I’m not trying to be PC or “overly racial.” People in this world automatically make these associations about Asians. Everyone will hide behind the “I’m not making fun of anyone, just pointing out a fact” argument, but by pointing out this fact, and believing that it’s simply inherent in nature, you do make fun of people.

Was Obama trying to hurt people? No. Did he? Yes. Do I blame him? No. Will I vote for him, still? Absolutely.

By: ZhuBaJie

ZhuBaJie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:35:34 +0000

Oh and by the way, I can see how Obama is marching the country towards racial unity and away from racial division.

Yes, that was sarcasm.

By: ZhuBaJie

ZhuBaJie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:34:25 +0000

I’m waiting to hear him say that an African American thinktank (or something similar) is not as smart. Because hey, statistically, blacks score lower on IQ tests and academic tests.

By: evil_FUX

evil_FUX — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:29:14 +0000

I love it when people implode.