Way OT - Oakland (CA) Local News trolled hard
This is just one of those stories/clips that is hard not to pass on. After receiving the confirmation from the NTSB, an Oakland (CA) news station reported names of the pilots of the Asiana Airlines crash. Only problem - the names were made up and the confirmation, which came from an NTSB, should never have come. The airline has now moved forward with legal action against the news station for passing the false information along.
News story: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/15/travel/asiana-offensive-names/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
Newscast clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5JGX2or-s
Is it racist - yes, I think it is.
But so was Robert Deniro's (in my opinion) hillarious SNL skit where he, as an employee of the Homeland Security Department, recited a list of suspected terrorist names: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMr3QO2Sbc
I don't see the racism. Someone made up ridiculous names and certainly never imagined that anyone would believe they were real. It was in poor taste, but I'm sitting next to someone who keeps playing it and laughing hysterically. The funniest thing is that they actually read those names.
One man's poor taste is another man's racism, I suppose - defining what is racist involves such a huge gray area that I errored on the safe side in my OP.
But I can certainly relate to the person sitting next to you. I've watched that clip about 50 times since I stumbled on the CNN story and went looking on youtube for the video, and my laughter continues.
doesn't mean it's not racist.
Having said that, I don't think it's as offensive as using the n-word, or as offensive as calling an Asian person a chink or a gook, but it's definitely directed at Asians as a specific group.
Not sure if with your sig, there is super reverse irony...but wtf.
I don't care at all, but how can you honestly say it isn't making fun of Asians? Captain Sum Ting Wong just screams tiny man with a funny accent. It's using a stereotype for a laugh, and it is good.
Glad you're speaking for all Asians that this isn't racist.
Thanks for your pronouncement from on high.
Since you live in LA, tell you what, take a survey and walk down Olympic Blvd and start asking people is your name "Yoo too low, Ho Lee Fuk", etc. Especially the guys with the tats in the wifebeaters.
Once you're done getting the sh*t kicked out of you, let us know how your survey went. If you think this is "Funny, not racist", put your money where your mouth is and try it.
I'll guarantee you if you come into my office and say that to me, I would throw you out.
For those not familiar with LA, Olympic Blvd is the heart of Koreatown.
No offense, WolvinLA2, I like you as a member of this board, but everyone will have their sensitivities. Just because you dont find it offensive and your 2 Asian friends dont either, does not make it ok. If some Asians find it offensive, which some on this board do, then we should understand.
I think this is a bit touchy, and I wasnt going to comment, but 3 people did pass away from this incident. This was an Asian flight carrier and almost all on board were Asian, so take it for what it is worth and move on. No matter the size of the incident, 3 people are dead and countless others have spinal injuries from the reports.
As a Korean American, I really appreciate it when a white guy informs me when I should take something as racist and when I should just chillax (and because he loves Korean food, he can speak for us - what a deal!).
of course the japanese guy has a gameboy avatar.
I thought it was hilarious that this occurred in one of the blandest, homogenized, focus-grouped settings (local TV news) that you can find in the U.S. Clothes, speaking style, etc. are the same almost everywhere.
Kind of, but Oakland Calif. is anything but. It is one of the most diverse cities in America, racially, socially, and economically. Kind of even harder to believe that it happened at KTVU, though they are the local Fox News affiliate.
Politics, yo.
Oakland, yes. TV news (including Oakland)? Not so much. I think that was 1974's point.
But did you know that there is a real Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne game? I found it a few days ago and I am hooked.
yep, I have an early version on my computer.
It's pretty tough, but is a lot of fun. Have not made it to the jive turkeys yet. I'm stuck in Taco Town.
I don't. But I'm not offended by him. I just don't think he's funny.
Others have touched on this above, but I'll just reiterate that those claiming this is some outrageous case of racism probably doesn't get the joke. This flew over so many heads last week.
"Flew over so many heads last week". Intentional? If so, hat tip.
Clearly, Wi Tu Lo was not the pilot of this joke
In humor, nothing is off limits.
Racism? Puhlease!
This was already posted in the Friday Storytelling thread, though. Still a good chuckle. When the anchor got to "Bang Ding Ow" I was on the floor
yeah, if this is all that offensive, then you must have picketed all of the Austin Powers movies
huh...I think this whole situation is freaking hilarious...
and Asians used "American sounding" names to make a joke and fool a TV newscaster, I'd be pissed. Because I wouldn't understand the joke.
This story offends me for its ignorance. I'm white, i live in Japan, and i've lived in Taiwan and China as well. It's amazing how speaking a few words of a native language will improve your perception in the eyes of the locals since there is a perception in turn that Americans are willfully ignorant of anything beyond our own borders.
Comical value aside, which is apparently debatable, it just makes Americans look like aholes, which no one needs after all the goodwill we conjured up with PRISM.
::steps down off soapbox::
can't something have a racial component and still be funny?
Is the joke made to insult a race or to exploit the anchor who will read anything on the screen a la Ron Burgandy?
For my part I don't think anything is sacred when it comes to humor and/or pranks, but that is just me.
jdon