In the flurry of Linsanity and Jeremy Lin’s epic rise to fame, an ESPN editor was fired for his “Chink in the Armor” headline after the Knicks’ game-winning streak came to an end.
Am I the only person in the world who thinks that getting fired for using that phrase was unwarranted? An explanation and an apology would have been sufficient. People were having a major tissy-fit, claiming racial insensitivity.
GET OVER IT! I read that Jeremy Lin himself used “ChinkBalla88” as a profile name online in high school. So it’s ok to use these terms as long as you’re referring to yourself? If anyone outside the race uses the term, then it’s considered an ethnic slur. Does that make any sense at all? If you find the term offensive, don’t use it, period!
Chinese people are offended by Chink. It’s ok for them to use it. But not ok for non-Chinese to make any reference to Chink.
Rappers can pepper their lyrics with nigga, nigger, but as soon as anyone who is not Black says the much-maligned ‘N’ word, then all hell breaks lose. So illogical! Don’t use questionable terms in your music if you don’t want to hear listeners mimicking them back.
Whenever it gets really hot weather-wise or in a crowded space, we have a friend who says, “It’s like Auschwitz in here.” He laughs, people laugh. Completely acceptable. Why? Because he’s Jewish. Now can you imagine if any non-Jew made that comment?
I thought the ESPN headline was funny. But I’m also someone who isn’t easily offended by little quips that people say about race, religion, sexuality, whatever. Racial rants, ok, that’s a different story. But a headline that was in no way intended to be offensive? Can’t people make a spontaneous joke these days without concern for their reputation?
As for me—a flip, gook, dog-eater, shorty, midget, four-eyes—bring it. I’ll be laughing.
Would welcome any thoughts, comments, musings about this hot topic. A Chinese friend and I had a lively debate about this during lunch.
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