while yes, Miley Cyrus is a role model to millions of teenagers, etc, out there, isn't it just as important that those who aren't pop stars, actresses/actors, singers, etc, who make racist gestures or jokes, are role models to someone or another as well? Do celebrities actions outweigh other peoples actions, those of whom aren't celebrities themselves?
However, the point is Miley Cyrus made a racist gesture, and has offended many. I think its unfair that she's being judged so harshly on this unconscious action, when we're hypocriting ourselves, because we have made racist-gestures, acts, jokes, etc, in the past ourselves.=/ While I can see your point(and I do!), I can't say that I agree.
Everyone should be held accountable, but those who lead or are role models obviously hold more weight in their influence so should be judged accordingly.
Maybe you didn't grow up like I and millions of Asians did, being ridiculed and treated like an inferior human being so you don't understand how a seemingly innocent joke can cut so deeply. I think Frank Wu of the San Francisco chrconicle says it best when he states:
"My concern is about Asian Americans and Asians who have made their home,permanently and hopefully as true members of their society, throughout the world. For many Asian immigrants and their native-born children, life is a struggle to assimilate to an impossible norm always beyond reach. For them, this is personal.
Almost all Asian Americans are familiar with the mockery of the eyes pulled back, accompanied by the chant, "Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, what are these?" It is part and parcel with slurs thatlead to worse forms of discrimination and violence. For me the lingering power of the childhood cruelties of teasing and taunting are more painful than any physical trauma I can recall. The teachers who counseled back then to retort,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," like those who complain about political correctness now, have a point. We should stand up and speak out. It would be in keeping with the great American tradition of free speech.
Yet that is what is so surprising. For when Asian Americans do show they are real Americans, ready to assert their rights, they are met with even greater backlash about being less sensitive and taking a joke, not being politically correct or playing the race card. After all, the argument goes, the people using racial images and slurs at best mean no harm and at worst are merely ignorant. It is tempting to accept these excuses. Few who regard themselves as members of the mainstream understand what it is like to be ashamed of one's parents, to be constantly striving to be just like everyone else without
ever being able to fit in.
So even if we assume that the intent is wholly innocent, the perpetrators presumablywould welcome being informed of the effects of their gestures. Their hostility to educational efforts belies any notion of color-blindness. Sometimes, when I encounter
this type of racial assault, I'm tempted to explain I'm offended - not as an Asian American, but as someone who indeed has a sense of humor. I want to say, "If you're going to dis me, at least get some new material. I've seen this one before. You're not
even any good at it."
Perhaps in the end, the casual defamation of this most recent slight can be laughed off. It is too trivial to keep us from succeeding. The trouble is what it represents, the pattern it reveals and confirms... [it] is no different than any other stereotype in its dangerous effect. It violates our shared ideals."
