I was driving to get donuts this morning, listening to the radio, as I flipped through the stations, my curiosity got the best of me. The local "hip hop" station broadcasts this nationally syndicated "hip hop" talk show called I believe "Russ Parr In The Morning" or something to that nature, I decided to listen for a while to see what they had to talk about.
They do many comedy skits on this show, as most all morning radio shows would, but one struck me as particularly offensive.
They have someone unknown person affiliated with the radio show do this impression of a nail saloon owner named "May Ling" or something to that nature, but clearly an Asian name. Just about every host on the show takes part in this skit. They usually have someone impersonate this non existent Asian person in a very racist manner. Making the person (May Ling) come off as hyper, neurotic, and with an exaggerated Asian accent, and of course, this character is a "nail saloon owner" or at least works at a nail saloon. So much so, me, as a white person, not of Asian decent, and who is not easily offended, still found it to be very offensive, almost to the point where I couldn't listen anymore.
From what I can tell, the typical skit involves a African American person getting their nails done, and then either refusing to pay or in some way causing the Asian character to get stirred up. The hosts all then to act out this offensive character, clearly in a mocking fashion towards Asians.
Remember, this is probably one of the biggest "hip hop" radio shows in the country. They're based out of New York and from what I can gather, they get interviews with the top artists in "hip hop," so this is not a "niche" radio show, but very mainstream for the urban youth.
Surely the African American community is quick to criticize when someone insults their culture, and rightfully so, because such insults are not acceptable.
If a predominantly white radio show had produced an African American character, and then blatantly attached offensive stereotypes to this character and the hosts acted such a character out live in radio, what do you think the reaction would be?
I think behavior by either show or culture would be unacceptable.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, or justifying anything. Such behavior should not be tolerated by anyone of any race.
But this is just something everyone needs to think about when discussing the issue of race and prejudice.
They do many comedy skits on this show, as most all morning radio shows would, but one struck me as particularly offensive.
They have someone unknown person affiliated with the radio show do this impression of a nail saloon owner named "May Ling" or something to that nature, but clearly an Asian name. Just about every host on the show takes part in this skit. They usually have someone impersonate this non existent Asian person in a very racist manner. Making the person (May Ling) come off as hyper, neurotic, and with an exaggerated Asian accent, and of course, this character is a "nail saloon owner" or at least works at a nail saloon. So much so, me, as a white person, not of Asian decent, and who is not easily offended, still found it to be very offensive, almost to the point where I couldn't listen anymore.
From what I can tell, the typical skit involves a African American person getting their nails done, and then either refusing to pay or in some way causing the Asian character to get stirred up. The hosts all then to act out this offensive character, clearly in a mocking fashion towards Asians.
Remember, this is probably one of the biggest "hip hop" radio shows in the country. They're based out of New York and from what I can gather, they get interviews with the top artists in "hip hop," so this is not a "niche" radio show, but very mainstream for the urban youth.
Surely the African American community is quick to criticize when someone insults their culture, and rightfully so, because such insults are not acceptable.
If a predominantly white radio show had produced an African American character, and then blatantly attached offensive stereotypes to this character and the hosts acted such a character out live in radio, what do you think the reaction would be?
I think behavior by either show or culture would be unacceptable.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, or justifying anything. Such behavior should not be tolerated by anyone of any race.
But this is just something everyone needs to think about when discussing the issue of race and prejudice.
Facebook
Twitter