Speaking of subtle racism...

2008-09-10T07:15:12-04:00

2008-08-14T18:34:21-04:00

2008-09-10T06:40:14-04:00

2008-08-16T02:32:19-04:00

Kris999

No City 474645

The article proves one thing- anything can offend anyone. It also suggests something else- Bryant should sue for slander 2509608

2008-08-15T15:59:12-04:00

A.C. Williams

Boulder 475165

"Europe had been the axis of world power for many centuries. . . ." Now that's a race-centric point of view for you. How about the Qing dynasty that controlled more territory than all of Europe from 1644 until 1912? How about the Yuan dynasty that nearly overran Europe in the 14th Century and controlled more territory than any other nation in history? Get off your high horse and read some books. 2506014

2008-08-15T14:40:45-04:00

Jimmy Spoon

Glendale 475071

What incredibly irresponsible journalism. I agree with the above posters...this article should be retracted and an apology issued. 2504934

2008-08-15T11:13:13-04:00

HAL9001

Albemarle 474999

This is not racism but spanish team are racst... Danger of all that, when everybody goes to a 'war of gestures" is where is the line? and who defines that line, because is pretty obvious that all can be always ofensive for other goups, counties or ordinary people. I think the main factor in judging an act is always the intention. 2501670

2008-08-15T11:08:57-04:00

not a fan

Perryville 474727

Replace this garbage with an apology to Miss Bryant. 2501590

2008-08-15T11:06:32-04:00

not a fan

Perryville 474727

How did you get this gig, Sarah? Do us all a favor and burn your imaginary journalism degree. Your "update" is preposterous. The hat, along with a poor spray on tan that seeminly half the girls in this country are wearing, cannot possibly be construed as racist by anyone other than a race-baiter. You ask why did USA Diving replace the pic? No doubt because of disingenuous fire starters like yourself. For shame! Seriously, you lose on this one. Do yourself and CNNSI a favor and retract this garbage, along with an apology to Miss Kelci Bryant. 2501557

2008-08-15T11:05:32-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/328/13/thumb/johnnychimpo02_funnyFULLCOLOR_tn.jpg 540 GA

pharaoh

Kingsland 32913

Using the A&F incident just shows how out of touch Ms. Kwak really is. The edgy nature and humorous intent of the tee's that were eventually pulled from shelves could probably be offensive in nature to some. Comparing the wearing of this hat to the A&F incident is like comparing apples and oranges. Besides, who in their right mind would use A&F to make a point about racism, anyway? 2501553

2008-08-15T10:46:00-04:00

cameronw

Clinton Township 475008

Wow...is this post serious? I am an American living in Asia and am married to a Chinese Singaporean wife, and I can't imagine how anyone would find this picture is in anyway. Wearing an Asian hat makes her a racist? Huh? 2501283

2008-08-15T10:35:40-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/443/37/thumb/CIMG9195__1__0006.jpg 19

hi10spro

Southeast 44577

Lame. I'm Asian, and I don't get that feeling from the hat, that she is mocking Asians, nor do I feel that it belittles anyone. If you think long and hard enough, anything can be linked historically to something and put in an odd/bad light. this is a reach 2501083

2008-08-15T10:03:48-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/328/13/thumb/johnnychimpo02_funnyFULLCOLOR_tn.jpg 540 GA

pharaoh

Kingsland 32913

17 days is a long time to write about one very long event. To make up a controversy about racism is just irresponsible journalism. Miss Kwak seems to miss the point that just maybe Kelci was trying to honor the Chinese people as she looked forward to competing in Beijing. I am sure that Kelci did not don the coolie hat with forethought of malice. It is not up to Miss Kwak or anyone else except those involved to determine what is right and wrong. Hopefully she will learn from this and curtail her biases to become a more objective journalist. 2500594

By Sarah KwakCheck out this photo of <a href="http://www.jamd.com/image/g/77933775" target="_blank">Kelci Bryant</a>, American diver. This photo had been on the USA Diving website as her profile headshot before the Games began. Clearly, it has since been <a href="http://diving.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/485">changed</a>, but God bless the internet and Google image search for keeping stuff alive. I don't know what offends me more: the hat or the spray-on tan. Thoughts?UPDATE:Well, let me clarify here where I get off calling the picture just a little bit racist. First of all, the conical straw hat, also known as a "coolie" hat (the term "coolie" should really explain it all), has long been a symbol of anti-Asian racism, especially in the U.S. They were featured in political cartoons from the 19th century and then during World War II, and recently, in those controversial Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts that were ultimately pulled from shelves. The hat carries with it a history that includes the transcontinental railroad, Japanese American internment camps, and a long history of forbidding Asians from immigrating to the United States.  This is also why comparing it to the French and a beret or the British and a cup of tea are not fair comparisons. Think of other parallel examples that don't involve historically strong European states (Remember, Europe had been the axis of world power for many centuries before World War II). Now, would it fly if she wore a traditional bindi on her forehead because the Games were in New Delhi? Was it OK when Floyd Mayweather walked into the ring in a sombrero and Mexican themed outfit for his fight against Oscar de la Hoya on Cinco de Mayo last year? If it's not just a little bit racist (or would "tasteless" suit you better?), why would USA Diving replace that headshot with a different one? And why didn't they change the headshot of <a href="http://diving.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/489">Troy Dumais</a>, who clearly has that same theme going on in his?

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