What’s The Quota On Racism?
Baaad toby keith
During the Peace Prize Concert in Norway, Will Smith and Toby Keith were doing a rendition of “Rappers Delight”.
Everything was going well until Toby pulls his eye’s back on the “yellow” part of the lyrics “to the black, to the white, the red, and the brown, the purple and yellow.”
Needless to say, the gesture wasn’t noticed or taken in an offensive way at the party – but the Asian community took offense to this. A friend of mine brought up the point that “racism against Asians doesn’t get publicized that much”.
He’s right, I remember this type of thing happening before. I figure there’s an offender to offended ratio with a visual factor occasionally swaying the vote on how bad it is. It just seems that racism get’s judged “racially” more than by the “severity” of the offense.
What’s the quota that would make this type of issue reach major news worthy status? Would it have to be Will Smith instead of Toby Keith? Would it have to be “Blacks” instead of “Asians” that got offended to get a little bit more attention or “White” to get even more?
Does it really come down to having some sort of animosity for the offender, compassion for the offended or visa versa, previous to the statement or action made?
What are your feelings and views on this?
Yeah, I think if he like, threw up gang signs during the “black” or if he was another race and stuck his teeth out like a hillbilly during the “white” part there would be a bigger issue about it.
He should definately apologize.
Seriously who “cares” about racism against Asians? They weren’t brought over to America against their own will and enslaved for years by the “white man. Plus kids have been making that hand jester for years WITH Chinese or Asian decent friends. I agree that was not a smart move on Toby Keith, because that just seems childish and pointless move on his part. But I don’t see the whole slanting of the eyes disrespectful. But then again I’m not Asian.
@frost: Thank you!! good points.
@iashondalove: Thank you for your opinion. I would suggest brushing up on some history. There’s been acts of racism towards asians throughout the years. Forced to build rail roads, pay unfair taxes, wages, forbidden from owning land, forbidden getting an education, not being allowed in certain areas because of their skin color & eyes etc. Really doesn’t matter if it was by whites or not, or how bad it is. Point is IT HAPPENED. Anyone that’s been through it shouldn’t tolerate it, no matter what degree. Just because it’s already being done doesn’t make it acceptable either.
Put yourself in their shoes, then go from there. You would want someone to do the same for you. Harry Connick Jr did it for blacks, so you can do it for asians & other races.
To understand how bad it is, how would you feel if he busted out with some fried chicken and watermelon, on the “black” part of the lyrics?
I read the article and the comments and I must say, Rick Lexington, that you are doing your thing as always.
Great read, homie.
so tony keith is a redneck and will smith is black and tony drawing some racist attention to will smith but ppl nowadays dont pay attention to racism so it shouldnt matter….we in another era. get over it.
Excellent post, Rick Lexington. Also wanted to add that the Japanese were forced into internment camps after Pearl Harbor and treated like animals.
Lashonda is obviously very ignorant to the history of this country it seems. I wish that the different races and ethnicites could work together to end racism instead of supporting it as long as it’s not THEIR race being prosecuted against.
are you really offended by that?! youre eyes are chinked and thats why he did it. you should be happy youre included in the whole thing in the first place. i do love asians tho
To all the people telling the Asian community to “get over it” or that “it isn’t a big deal,” how dare you? You clearly have no idea how hurtful or stinging acts against you simply because of your race truly must be. I would suggest you step out of your fairy tale and actually realize you must care about those other than yourselves. As for Toby Keith, he’s always been one of the more inflammatory country music stars, and I for one, can’t wait for the day when he’s on his death bed and will have to answer for all the things he’s done and never had to apologize for.
angolotty: What race are you? Do all black people have big noses and white people have flat asses too?
I already see I’m going to have to stop commenting in this post before I get more irritated by some ridiculousness being posted on here.
@Chris J the Genius: Thanks homie, been busy lately so I’m trying to get some good ones in.
@Frost: Thanks, you got some real good points. I feel the same way too, if every race worked together and had each others back then it would be a better place.
@matt: I was right with you till the toby keith on his deathbed part lol.
@the haters & people that find it acceptable. First off thank you for actually posting your opinion. Racism still exists and people do notice it. It’s in some recognizable and unrecognizable forms.
As the saying goes “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled,
was convincing the world he didn’t exist”. Don’t be so easily fooled.
I don’t think it’s a big deal. I’m really more surprised that Toby Keith knows the lyrics to “Rappers Delight”. He wasn’t being offensive he was having fun.
I’m amazed by the ignorance of some of the comments here. I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. We have a long way to go, it seems.
Good post, Rick! There were some good comments, too.
That’s true, though, good dude. It is kind of a big deal that he knew that song in the first place. I haven’t thought about the lyrics for a good five or six years. :p
I’m not Asian but I think its not considered much of a big deal because 1) Asians dont get racially discrimnated as much and (2) when they do they dont speak out much about it. Black people will raise hell if someone makes a racial gesture about us, Asians seem like they dont really care. I dont think anyone has a right to be so condescending as to tell them to “get over it”, if I was Asian I would be pissed off. That was ignorant and offensive