CBS Wrong to Allow ‘Chinaman’ Slur
Asian Week, Commentary, Samson Wong, Posted: Mar 17, 2004
We’ve had a couple racial faux pas lately. Presidential candidate Wesley Clark and broadcaster Steve Kerr naively blurted out “Chinaman” on different occasions. However, both apologized and explained that they thought using “Chinaman” was like using “Frenchman” and “Englishman.”
These two incidents were revelations. First, a community forgave their sin of ignorance. And these two pledged to redeem themselves by promising not to use the word and educating others not to use it.
Their foolishness spoke to how archaic the use of “Chinaman” is. It’s a fossil of a word that rarely comes up in public. Its obsolescence signifies society’s acceptance of the Asian Pacific American community. When used by Kerr and Clark, the word was an empty shell, devoid of racial intent. In a bygone era, the word was backed by hateful prejudice against APAs. Kerr and Clark never had that hateful intent.
Clark and Kerr also were also in impromptu situations. Kerr was doing an analysis of an ABC-televised basketball game featuring Yao Ming. Clark was providing an off-the-cuff remark during a National Public Radio interview.
But there was a difference when CBS let slip the “Chinaman” remark on March 1.
In an episode of “Yes, Dear,” a character quipped to audience laughter, “Now are the Lakers the team that have that giant Chinaman?”
This line likely was not impromptu. The line had to be scripted, rehearsed and taped with opportunities for review by CBS’ diversity monitors. Vicki Lawrence, an acclaimed actress, used the line without objection. CBS allowed the line to be broadcast despite 12 “CBS Partners” dedicated to the network’s diversity -- including the NAACP, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and East West Players.
CBS might argue that the comedy has license to use such a slur. However, license should be consistent. Since Lawrence on the show referred to Yao Ming as a “Chinaman,” then why not label Shaquille O’Neal with the ethnically offensive term “mic,” rather than “Irish”?
In the end, there are no laughs for CBS, a broadcasting institution that allowed “Chinaman” to slip through its electronic and diversity net.
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User Comments
kevin on Mar 24, 2004 at 09:31:46 said:
"What is wrong with being called a Chinaxxx? Why are Frenchman and Englishman acceptable, but not Chinaxxx?"
Because it wouldn't be Englishman, it would be Englandman, and instead of Frenchman, it would be Franceman.
Chineseman would be acceptable.
Renegade on Mar 23, 2004 at 20:06:24 said:
Alright, first of all, China*** is NOT the same as Englishman or Frenchman. If it were, then the term would be CHINESEman. Think about it. You don't say Englandman or Franceman.
The term China*** was used much in the same way as n*gger widely during the second half of the 19th century, and is still used today, much in the way that the word n*gger is still used today...not as widely, but the same racist connotation still exists. I know that the people at "Yes, Dear" were trying to make a joke. But this term holds much more weight than most white people realize. The first Chinese Americans in the US were often beaten, attacked, murdered, and yes (if you study your history), massacred by whites who didn't want them here. All the while, these whites used the word China*** to express their hatred of Chinese. For those of you who don't know, China*** exists today as a taunt, and when people use it, it makes me think that they are still capable of the hate that drove people to kill so long ago.
Since we do not allow the word n*gger on TV, we cannot allow TV to fall back on China*** or any other racial slur (or sexual slur like "Bitch" or "Chicken-head") for that matter. It's more than the principle, it's about forcing people to be more creative in their humor. It's about creating a better society for ourselves. It's about erasing these words from our lives.
When we put down the weapons, then we can take off the armor and join hands together.
John Monte on Mar 18, 2004 at 17:29:06 said:
After working in mainsteam media for 15+ years - after the first couple thrashings by your Program Director and/or News Director - thru osmosis one begins to "get it" when it comes to "things one should never do in broadcasting!". Now, your average person who performs on radio or TV on a regular basis (and of course, no egos involved) sets a pattern of personal quirks or "faux pas" that will either a)make them better or b)sink their ship. No in-between. One of the "Golden Rules" is when you make a mistake - keep moving!Never, never, never, never ever attempt to correct yourself live on air! Most listeners, those who do not work in "the Biz" - never notice when we Front Line Anchors mispronounce or somehow slip a slur or swear word into a sentence. BUT - if you go back and attempt to correct it - NOW you have pointed it out - and you have George sitting in his lounge chair yelling for Helen to bring him another beer - and now he notices your goof! So on this side of the camera/microphone - forget it, keep moving, dosen't matter.
For those at viewing or listening - well, this commentary certainly serves the public, by putting you in check. What I mean is, Samson is bringing this to our attention, so WE have a chance to check ourselves and reaffirm how we feel about this kind of thing. Which is a good and healthy exercise. A friendly reminder, if you will. Forget about the doof who said it on radio or TV...know thyself Grasshopper! Cause if we can control that person in the mirror we see each morning - Life is good!
Thanks Samson - for delivering the Yin & Yang of the situation - important stuff to have balance.
For if we have balance inside us and we move from that center - the World will become a better place! Aloha, J.M.
voice on Mar 18, 2004 at 11:58:52 said:
since there are some ignorant people here, i'll take some time to educate.
What is wrong with being called a Chinaxxx? Why are Frenchman and Englishman acceptable, but not Chinaxxx?"
The English language is defined by its dictionaries, not by individuals. The most authoritative dictionary in English is Webster.
Webster (10th edition) defines
N-gger: a black person - usu. taken to be offensive;
Chinaman: Chinese - often taken to be offensive.
The term "Chinaxxx" has a long & sad history in this country. Chinaman didn't have a bad connotation a long time ago. It was used just like Englishman and Frenchman. However, in 1853,
conviction of killers for the murder of Ling Sing was OVERturned on the grounds that testimony from the "INFERIOR CASTE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NON-CITIZENS, " should be thrown out. It meant that Chinese testimony against the whites was not admissible. Once that legal precedent was set, the whites learnt that they could terrorize Chinese without fear of legal consequences. Numerous such incidents happened. Thereafter, the phrase "not a Chinaxxx's chance" was coined, meaning "not much of a chance." The word "Chinaxxx" became an offensive term to Chinese Americans and probably to all
Chinese.
Elliott Kim on Mar 18, 2004 at 00:49:25 said:
There\'s a world of difference between \'Chappelle\'s Show\' and \'Yes, Dear\'. \'Chappelle\'s Show\' holds nobody sacred: blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians, Middle Easterners, Rick James. Dave Chappelle pokes fun at everybody and exaggerates stereotypes to the point of satire. \'Yes, Dear\' is another assembly line CBS sitcom. As far as I know, it\'s just your average, bland network sitcom. Using a \'Chinaman\' joke on this type of show is a cheap throwaway line, intended to get a quick laugh. Unfortunately, such a joke is done at the expense of a particular ethnic group. One way to always look at is like this: what if the ethnic group being made fun of was black? On a predominantly white show? The flack surrounding that would far outstrip whatever\'s coming down now, perhaps rightfully so. What\'s fair is fair, in my opinion, so if one is a sacred cow, then sanctify the other too. This isn\'t \'All In The Family\' we\'re talking about here. It\'s frigging \'Yes, Dear\'.
Rachael Kendrick on Mar 17, 2004 at 10:01:25 said:
How far do we go in our attempt to be politically correct when you can not even say Chinaman on television without getting flack for it. The fact that you compared "Chinaman" to the slur "Mic" is a complete joke. I could think of a thousand worse slurs to use for Asian Americans than that. Have you ever watched Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central. If you think "Yes Dear" is offensive, that you'll have a heart attack watching this show.
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