Plaschke points a finger at Gasol

BEIJING -- Pau Gasol didn’t say he was sorry for the racial slight. He said he was sorry if anyone was offended by the racial slight.

That’s not good enough.

As someone who makes millions of dollars in Los Angeles, in a country and city with a strong Asian-American influence, he needs to do better.

Gasol needs to apologize — period — for joining his Spanish Olympic teammates in using their fingers to make their eyes slanted in a photo promoting the Beijing Games.

The entire team should apologize, of course. But with Gasol being a Laker, and me being an Angeleno, I’m pointing a direct finger at him.

Gasol needs to apologize to Asians everywhere, particularly those who have supported him in the United States, most notably those who welcomed him so graciously this spring in Los Angeles.

No, the photo was not cool. No, there is no possible explanation that would make it cool.

The photo had been running in a Spain publication since last week, but only recently drew the attention of the mainstream media.

In the photo, players used their fingers to supposedly make them "look more Chinese."

It was the centerpiece for a publicity campaign. The team is actually sponsored by Chinese clothing brand Li-Ning. It was supposed to be seen only in Spain.

"It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way," Gasol told the Associated Press. "I’m sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive."

Funny? Maybe in Spain, but not in the United States.

And, again, last we looked, he received his paycheck in the United States.

Other players said they were only responding to a photographer’s request. Yeah, like pro athletes will ever do the bidding of a photographer?

“We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture,” said Jose Manuel Calderon, a Toronto Raptor, on his ElMundo.es blog.

Appropriate? Affectionate?

When told that people were found the gesture offensive, Gasol said that was "absurd."

To me, it’s absurd that he still doesn’t get it.

Remember, the Spanish sports scene is littered with recent racial incidents, including the abuse of a black race car driver and “monkey chants” against black soccer player.

Let the Spanish act racist in the privacy of their own little country.

The Laker who works for one of the most forward-thinking companies in one of the most global cities in the world — a guy who plays in our diverse backyard — should know better.

Pau Gasol needs to apologize again, and this time he needs to mean it.

Update: IOC critical of Spanish ad

-- Bill Plaschke

Photo: China's Yao Ming, left, goes against Spain's Pau Gasol during a men's preliminary round Group B basketball game at the Olympic Basketball Arena in Beijing on Tuesday. Credit: Filippo Monteforte / AFP / Getty Images

Comments

[just me]

Thanks for writing about this. I saw the picture a couple of days ago and was wondering why no one in the Times had said anything. It is unbelievable to me, an Asian American who was born and raised in LA, that anyone on my favorite basketball team could be this ignorant.

[Tim]

agreed!

[milo]

BP - you old West Coast softie...you're absolutely right. Thanks for pointing the figure. Sometimes it has to be done. If this incident was related to African Americans or any other group, they would be hell to pay. Any way, the NBA will be calling Pau because lots and lots of jerseys are sold in China.

[j2tharome]

100% agree with Bill Plaschke. How can you not see this as offensive?? These Spainards must live in a closed world. For everyone to not see this offensive is absurd. I will BOO him when he comes back unless he fully apologies.

[PJ]

As an American of Asian descent, I thought that the photo was very insensitive. I wasn't so much offended as I was disappointed in their ignorance and their "apology". As Bill said, I also would've expected Gasol to know better since he spends so much of his time in a city as diverse as L.A. I'm sure he would've thought twice before mocking other races so it makes me wonder why he and his team didn't show better judgment.

[Raquel]

Oh, please. Spain has nothing on the US when it comes to racism. Stop acting like this would never happen in the US.

[mjl]

This is something kids do, since kids are not mature enough to develop an understanding to take the perspective of others. But these are grown men. They should know what they did equates to ridiculing and insulting billions of asian peoples' physical features, which is what defines racism. I am embarrassed that Gasol is actually a Laker.

[Chacon Dalupe]

You are right this time Plaschke. That ad is racist but this may come as a shock to many of you but Spaniards and a lot of Western Europeans are racist to begin with. Both of my Maternal Grandparents were Spaniards and knowing how they are and after being in Spain I can tell you that they are racists towards most people, especially those who are from Latin America. I am always shocked at the level of racism that exists there and it is getting worse. So when many of you who wish Americans were more like Europeans, remember that.
To Spaniards that ad isn't racist because they are much worse than this to begin with. I hope this is insightful to some of you.

[P. Ami]

This is such a waste of ire. People were having fun with a little tasteless joke. If it created offense, so what. Nobody was physically harmed, nobody's property or livelihood was effected. Let's just move on from this fabrigee egg culture of political correctness.

[rikdaddy]

Nice work on this one, Bill. I was wondering if anyone else was going to point out that Gasol apologized if it offended anyone and not that he actually did it. That's like calling someone stupid then saying "sorry you're stupid." Which, oddly enough, actually makes sense in this case.

[Dave in Portland]

I can totally understand the average Spaniard not understanding why this is offensive, but I am with Bill Plaschke, how is it a guy like Gasol has no clue? It sounds like he needs a little John Rocker media treatment.

It just goes to show you even though the US is often viewed in such bad context these days, many countries when viewed on a global scale have ugly sides.

[richierod]

Shut up, Bill. Really. In a world full of REAL issues, this is where you take a stand!?! You are ridiculous, and should be ashamed.

[Rodrigo Sánchez]

Please.. why do we need to keep picking fights for stupid reasons?

The add ran in Spain, not in the U.S., so perhaps you should respect that?

Gasol makes millions with the Lakers because he can play! Nobody is doing him a favor!

The world has enough problems to create more out of nowhere. If you don't think the picture is funny, fine, but don't try to impose your views on others.

[Rhygin]

This team represents Spain generally, they are stuck in some other century and they think racism is fun and funny. The odd thing is that Gasol's comments reflect the spanish psyche precisely

[Urban Bruin]

Thank you for bringing this issue to the open.

The photo and gesture are without a doubt offensive and racist. It is not for Pau, the Spanish Team or the IOC to say what is or is not offensive. That right is reserved for the offended group. As a life long Angelino and Laker fan I hope the Lakers make it clear to Pau that an apology is not only necessary but the right thing to do. It is sad that a Laker living in Los Angeles would harbor such ignorant attitudes.

[Kush Lalwani]

Let's remember that we're dealing with athletes here. Athletes are people who are known more for their physical prowess (or in Pau Gasoft's case, a lack of) than their spoken gibberish and peanut-sized brain.

Maybe the Chinese basketball team can wear Pau's Spanish jersey and tutus when playing in the tournament in honor of Pau's "overwhelming" physical presence in the '08 NBA Finals.

[Mae West]

"Let the Spanish act racist in the privacy of their own little country."
With this commentary the writer just proves what his article is worth. There's something you should do ALWAYS you feel like judging someone: get all the information.

Just an example:

The word "mulato/a", in Spanish, is applied to someone who is half white/half black. Its use in Spain is stricly "descriptive" and seldom derogatory. As a matter of fact, it can be used in a possitive way.

In Cuba (where half the population or more has some Sub-Saharian-African ancestor), the word mulata has even more possitive connotations. It's even a compliment, a flirting cliche. It's a charming word which quite often implies appreciation or love.

For some time, I'm told, the word "mulato" has been used in some parts of the US the same way as "nigg€r" or "negr0"; that is, with an offensive intention.

Now if an American "mulato" (not pointing at anyone, it is just that it fits this particular example) comes and tell me that I cannot go to Cuba and call a cuban girl "mulata" because in his country (a third party who has no bussiness in this two-sided "game") it is considered racist, then he DOES HAVE A REAL PROBLEM understanding how his place in the World works.

From the point of view of a Spaniard, the only way to see "Racism" in this photo is to have a race-based mindset at first. It is said that the ones claiming "racism!" are too often the very first ones to be racist.

Peace.

[Chinese/American Laker Fan]

Dude, relax.. Their are to many people in this world who are uptight and get offended to easily. Im Chinese - American and take no offense to those hand gestures, in fact i thought it was rather brilliant. But of course main stream wackos will take a humourous picture and break it down and try to exploit the racial discrimination in it. Bill Plaschke needs to get off the mainstream media train and come up with something different. I would understand maybe, racial comments being made, but dude lighten up alittle. Every one is entitled to their own opinion and of course this is mine. i got one message to all these uptight morons in the world of ours: CHILL OUT!!!

[Fear]

A man from USA talking about racism. A country where Bush is president, the nightmare of the world for its belicism and war-addiction, giving free lessons of moral and good manners. That´s really funny and not the fucking and inocent add...

You put labels and stereotipes to the Euro. Ok... but don´t complain if outside your country, everybody have fear for your narrow mind :)

[Paul A]

Why...

[jordan linford]

I dont get what the big deal is, asians do have slanted eyes, its not like a stereotype or anything. They have slanted and it turns out that pau gasol and team realized that as a phsically defining characteristic. I think we all realize that.

[michael]

His lack of responsibility is more troubling than him actually taking the photo. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone owns up to their mistakes. Obviously he's the type that doesn't own up to his mistakes.

For him to say it's "absurd" for anyone to be offended shows complete ignorance and a lack of respect. It's actually worse that he doesn't understand that he offended people, as compared to him knowing he offended people but denying that he did so.

[al]

asian americans dont have their version of perpetual victim jesse jackson, so unlike the black community they are still relatively quiet, even when receiving unfair treatment. what the spanish team agreed to do is racist, and pau should apologize profusely

[John in Spain]

Funny to see these comments in a country in which racism is still a major problem that keeps in the abyss of poverty millions of its own citizens. Are you apologizing for it? And funny to see the sense of humor you have when others it´s not you making fun of other people.

[Italian Stallion]

Pointing out the obvious physical differences between people of different enthic backgrounds or races is never insulting in any way shape or form. Only in a twisted and distored mind that results from decades of poitical correctness does it become insulting.

Pointing out differences is not the same as suggesting that one is better or worse, superior or inferior etc.... That's what you have all been lead to believe by the "thought police".

Had the ad actually suggested in some way that Asians are inferior to Europeans, THAT would be insulting. It did no such thing. It pointed out that Asians have different eyes than Europeans and the the Olympics are in Asia.

Well guess what?

Africans have different hair than Asians and Europeans.

I think African woman actually do have bigger butts???? ( a clear positive and insult to European woman LMAO)

I suspect that Asians have less facial hair.

Etc....

Do you get the point?

If I say blacks are inferior, that is insulting.

If I wear an afro hairpiece, I am pointing out that Africans have different hair than I do. That's not saying it's inferior. I may even like it better. Only a twisted mind would thinkit automatically is insulting. You have to look at intent and this ad was not meant to be insulting. End of story.