My Slant on the Miley Cyrus Asian Mock Photo
A national Asian organization in the United States has asked Miley Cyrus to apologize for what the group says was taunting and mocking Asians by making slant-eye poses (1). Hey, my Chinese friends, get over yourselves, everything is not always about you. A group of kids should be able to make funny faces without having to make public apologies for things that might be innocent.
If Miley Cyrus had instead said, "Chinks are too cheap to spend tickets on my concerts," and said it in a hurtful manner and in a public forum, well, then you might have some standing to ask for an apology. But unless a celebrity says we should kill all Asians, let's not get all bent out of shape. America is not China or Japan where 99.9999% of the people belong to one ethnic group and where no one is used to making jokes about other ethnic groups simply because there are no other ethnic groups.
Miley made the correct statement; she didn't apologize for making the funny face but was simply sorry people misconstrued her intentions (2).
We live in a country that gets along remarkably well considering the multiplicity of races, religions, and nationalities that are here. One of the reasons we can live with each other is that we let off steam with ethnic humor and jokes. Nowhere in the world are more ethnic groups ridiculed and joked about than in America; Nowhere in the world is there a more diverse group of nationalities that get along well with each other. Let's remember that after 9/11 there were no revenge attacks against Muslims in the US. That's because we make fun of Muslims. It should be noted that in places like the UK where it is a crime to mock Muslims, attacks against Muslims have increased (3). Perhaps the world should learn that unless you can make a joke you end up frustrated and violent.
But I digress.
The OCA (Organisation of Chinese Americans), the main national Chinese American civil rights organization in America, would have presented a better image of Asians if they had instead issued a statement saying: "In regard to Miley Cyrus making funny faces, we are sure that a celebrity like Miley Cyrus would never intentionally defame or mock Asian Americans. We ask our fellow Americans not to jump to conclusions and instead focus on issues that are indeed serious and require our attention if we are to achieve the goals of our Founding Fathers to secure the Blessings of Equality and Liberty to all its people."
My advice to OCA: Stop being so easily offended - stop being like Muslims where everything is insulting and offensive. Just as black victimhood has failed to advance the black cause so does petty nitpicking on innocuous issues. Let's stay serious on real issues regarding racism and ethnic hatred and discrimination.
ENDNOTES
(1):
Reuters, Miley Cyrus' slant-eye pose slammed by Asian group
Disney teen idol Miley Cyrus has been accused of taunting and mocking Asians by making slant-eye poses in a personal photograph with her friends.
A snapshot of Cyrus, 16, best known as the star of the Disney Channel show "Hannah Montana", and friends posing with an Asian friend and pulling their eyes sideways surfaced on the Internet this week.
The OCA, a national organization in the United States dedicated to advancing the social and political welfare of Asian Pacific Americans, called on the singer-actress to apologize.
The group said the image "falls within a long and unfortunate history of people mocking and denigrating individuals of Asian descent."
"Not only has Miley Cyrus and the other individuals in the photograph encouraged and legitimized the taunting and mocking of people of Asian descent, she has also insulted her many Asian Pacific American friends," OCA executive director George Wu in a statement issued on Monday.
Wu said the fact that an Asian friend was included in the photo "does not make it acceptable.
(2):
OCA Blog, Apology?
"Ive also been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, Im sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!
In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face. When did that become newsworthy? It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me. If that would of been anyone else, it would of been overlooked! I definitely feel like the press is trying to make me out as the new 'BAD GIRL'!"
I feel like now that Britney is back on top of her game again, they need someone to pick on! Lucky me! haha Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know what is on my heart. You guys know me and have been by my side every step of the way!
You guys know my heart and know the most important things to me are my friends, family, fans, and GOD! In NO WAY do I want to disappoint any of you! But, when I have made mistakes in the past, I feel like Ive owned up to them and apologized.
Anyway, I really wish everyone would stop focusing on my personal life and get back to focusing on what I love! Music and Acting! Hopefully, I will be touring again this fall! Yayy! =] It will be a nice change to be back out on the road again! xoxo Blessings.. Miley =)"
(3):
The Muslim News UK, Islamophobic attacks against Muslims increase with war
Islamophobic attacks against Muslims has begun. Mosques and a cemetery have been attacked. “The community should be on guard and report any attacks or harassment to the relevant authorities including the police and they must not suffer in silence,” Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Abdul Bari, told The Muslim News.
