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There's something I wanted to say but the image in the comment that samenashi left above is making me physically ill. Even with the kindest context in mind, it's sick.
...
Oh, yeah. This. Someone sent me a link to Racialicious discussing this today and there's an awful lot of condemnation for the Asian guy in the photograph. I can't judge because a) if that isn't the saddest example of model minority syndrome, I don't know what is and b) I don't get the condemnation from white people because isn't what they keep asking us to do? They call us racist names and say racist-but-not-really things to us, about us, they don't mean it and they do it because they *like* us and admire us and blahblahblah and they just keep telling us to smile, shut up and take it and when PoC do what they want, everyone points the finger of blame at the PoC?
There is no fucking way to win because the game they're playing is one designed so that we never break even. There is never the right tone, there is never the right answer -- it's just so fucking tiring.r
...
Oh, yeah. This. Someone sent me a link to Racialicious discussing this today and there's an awful lot of condemnation for the Asian guy in the photograph. I can't judge because a) if that isn't the saddest example of model minority syndrome, I don't know what is and b) I don't get the condemnation from white people because isn't what they keep asking us to do? They call us racist names and say racist-but-not-really things to us, about us, they don't mean it and they do it because they *like* us and admire us and blahblahblah and they just keep telling us to smile, shut up and take it and when PoC do what they want, everyone points the finger of blame at the PoC?
There is no fucking way to win because the game they're playing is one designed so that we never break even. There is never the right tone, there is never the right answer -- it's just so fucking tiring.r
There's something I wanted to say but the image in the comment that samenashi left above is making me physically ill. Even with the kindest context in mind, it's sick.
I had to ad-block it. I can't imagine any kind context for that.
As for the Asian guy in the photograph - I noticed that he's looking at the camera, and leaning kind of forward, and I'm wondering if he even has any idea what his "friends" are doing behind his back.
I had to ad-block it. I can't imagine any kind context for that.
As for the Asian guy in the photograph - I noticed that he's looking at the camera, and leaning kind of forward, and I'm wondering if he even has any idea what his "friends" are doing behind his back.
... yeah. I just saw that image and screened the comment, because ... no.
if that isn't the saddest example of model minority syndrome
Yes, yes, exactly. I saw him in the photo and winced, because I know that I've been in that place before: people busting on Indian immigrants and me not knowing what to say, because these are my *friends* and surely they don't mean *me* as well, right? They mean the *other* Indians? I'm not even a "real" Indian, they can't mean me!
There really is no fucking way to win, especially when people who say/do hateful things insist it's a zero-sum game.
if that isn't the saddest example of model minority syndrome
Yes, yes, exactly. I saw him in the photo and winced, because I know that I've been in that place before: people busting on Indian immigrants and me not knowing what to say, because these are my *friends* and surely they don't mean *me* as well, right? They mean the *other* Indians? I'm not even a "real" Indian, they can't mean me!
There really is no fucking way to win, especially when people who say/do hateful things insist it's a zero-sum game.
I'm not willing to track back that starlets explanations, but I came back here to see if anybody had commented on the Asian boy, because he was so absent in all discussions and I couldn't understand why since he seemed the focus of the image to me. I agree with carta that he probably couldn't see what they were doing, but that very thing made me think it was aimed at him (nevermind that their "goofy" faces show that squinting doesn't make them look anything like him).
I figured that he'd probably be pointed out by Miley apologists in the "the Asian guy doesn't mind, so it's not racist!" capacity, or in the "why isn't he laying a beatdown on their ignorant asses?" way like in the post at at Racealicious. I didn't really notice that they were all behind him until ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
carta pointed it out, and that really makes it just a little more hateful, doesn't it?
I think you're right that his presence should be part of the discussion, but to be honest I'm not sure how to go about it, y'know? Like, clearly Miley and her other buddies are doing something racist, and she's commented specifically on her thoughts; with the Asian guy, I'm hesitant to start speculating on what he was/is thinking.
(Although I confess that I hope the entire thing pissed him off and he's the one who leaked the photos, heh!)
carta pointed it out, and that really makes it just a little more hateful, doesn't it?I think you're right that his presence should be part of the discussion, but to be honest I'm not sure how to go about it, y'know? Like, clearly Miley and her other buddies are doing something racist, and she's commented specifically on her thoughts; with the Asian guy, I'm hesitant to start speculating on what he was/is thinking.
(Although I confess that I hope the entire thing pissed him off and he's the one who leaked the photos, heh!)
I aborted my reply and now can't remember my well-phrased point but to repeat my earlier observation: without this boy the image wouldn't make much sense (and I use the word loosely). The four who just squint at least. He's so obviously what gives the image meaning (this word also makes me sick in my mouth).
I cannot imagine people using that apology, I had typed, but I can actually imagine that that is the true reason why Miley and her friends feel justified, they were just mocking their friend.
ETA: actually, thinking of digital cameras I now imagine the photographer going "you had your eyes closed in all of them" or something and the boy then especially not blinking while the others mocked and I wish I wouldn't waste so much time on this, bye.
I wasn't looking for (broadening of the) discussion at all, just wondered why the elephant in the room seemed to be ignored.
(I tried to imagine letters home รก la "People in Hollywood are weird" or a report for the Anthropology class of the social habits of teenagers in wherever but I'm too blah).
I cannot imagine people using that apology, I had typed, but I can actually imagine that that is the true reason why Miley and her friends feel justified, they were just mocking their friend.
ETA: actually, thinking of digital cameras I now imagine the photographer going "you had your eyes closed in all of them" or something and the boy then especially not blinking while the others mocked and I wish I wouldn't waste so much time on this, bye.
I wasn't looking for (broadening of the) discussion at all, just wondered why the elephant in the room seemed to be ignored.
(I tried to imagine letters home รก la "People in Hollywood are weird" or a report for the Anthropology class of the social habits of teenagers in wherever but I'm too blah).
What gets me are the comments saying "they're just kids! they're just joking around!" Good to know, because it's a universal truth after all that nothing offensive has ever been done or said by "kids" who are "joking around." Never ever, in the history of humankind.
Jesus, Maggie, what the fuck? When did the entire world go crazy and stupid without warning us?
Did you see Angry Asian Man's commentary on this?
http://www.angryasianman.com/2009/02/miley-cyrus-is-doing-chink-eye-too.html
http://www.angryasianman.com/2009/02/miley-cyrus-is-doing-chink-eye-too.html
But but! They have Asian... friend!
Why so much focus on Miley?
Why not rage at the other people?
Why not rage at the other people?
aahahahahahah awwwwww. I think we have a Miley fan on the premises!
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