Philip Gotanda Slam-Dunks Shaq

Note from Ben Fong-Torres: The following is a series of e-mails that playwright/screenwriter Philip Kan Gotanda sent regarding Shaquille O'Neal's �ching-chong�ah-so� comment about Yao Ming, and talk show hosts� follow-up opinions.

Gotanda explains, �I was listening [to ESPN radio] when the radio host, Jack Arute, defended O'Neal's unfortunate language.� He wrote an open letter to ESPN:

This is in regards to Mr. Jack Arute and his explanation regarding Shaquille's comments re Yao Ming and Mr. Arute's own continuing of the mocking of Chinese peoples on his own show.

Mr. Arute, I don't think Shaquille O'Neal or you are necessarily racist, but I do believe you both are underestimatng the power of your positions as a journalist and high profile athlete to reinforce behavior that in the end is an extension and outgrowth of some pretty hateful history against Asians in America.

That "Ching-Chong" form of humor has its historical roots in early Anti-Asian activity in this country, which led to ugly and violent moments against Asians in our past. Ask almost any Asian American and he or she will acknowledge how that form of joking still carries the sting and pain of its original intent.

Sure, you may not have intended to hurt or offend a very large segment of the American populace, but understand, you have, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. Just imagine if Yao had made fun of Shaquille's African heritage. And just imagine if you played along with it over national radio because you thought it harmless and funny.

I live in this world, and it's no laughing matter when an athlete we admire or a talk show host whom we listen to mirrors attitudes which we find irresponsible at best and, at worst, is a guise for a host of hidden ignorant beliefs.

As to whether those of us who are offended by what Shaquille and you have expressed are not able to take a joke, I can only say I'm an American just like you, I love sports just like you, I like watching Shaq exhibit power on the court unseen before just like you, and I like listening to Sports Radio probably just like you. And when I hear comments like Shaq's and his not taking the responsibility to find out why so many Americans are angered, I get upset. Perhaps just like you, if you were made aware of the history, and of the present day circumstance of contemporary Asians in America.

Sincerely, Philip Gotanda.

[Tom Tolbert is a former NBA player who logged substantial time with the Golden State Warriors, and who in recent years has become a popular basketball commentator. He is co-host of an afternoon talk show on San Francisco sports station KNBR.]

Subj: Tom Tolbert & Shaquille
Date: 1/17/03 12:49:50 AM Romance Standard Time
From: Joe Ozu
To: [Tom Tolber]

Tom Tolbert: I'm a 3rd Generation American of Japanese descent -- hey, as American as you, love Sports. Enjoyed listening to you regarding Sports issues. But I can tell you, what Shaq said and your comments, that 'it's JUST a joke' and 'it's probably offending maybe 20 people' -- are both offensive to many, many folks in the Bay Area. Shaq doesn't work in the Bay Area as you do, which all the more makes it shocking to me you would say those things. It simply shows such a lack of understanding of what people are thinking, it's stunning.

Tom, look at the people around the city. At best, a comment like Shaq's is born of ignorance, at worst it's a hint at what lies beneath the surface - that Americans of Asian descent don't matter, they're invisible, we can do anything we want to them -- place our ideas on them, scapegoat them, and in worst case scenarios victimize them. Check the national stats on Anti-Asian violence. It's intended as a joke, but examine the historical origins of such a comment in California; not pretty. Examine why you think it's funny and I think it's repugnant. And why after Shaq and you are made aware of what effects it has on people, you continue to defend it, say it's no big deal. I know the Bay Area. And I bet at this very moment you're getting calls and e-mail from folks letting you know what they feel about your comment, not Shaq's, yours. Listen to what they're saying and drop your white male ego and consider the fact that you may not understand what a lot of this city and country feels. Surely more than just 20 people. I can honestly tell that I no longer can listen to you with the same sense of enjoyment. I can't.

Philip Kan Gotanda.

Subj: Shaq & Tolbert
Date: 1/17/03 12:21:03 AM Romance Standard Time
From: Joe Ozu
To: [Rick Barry]

Dear Mr. Rick Barry, I'm 3rd Generation Japanese in this Country - one of the many, many, many Americans of Asian desecent in the Bay Area, in California, in the US. Your common sense and ability to just understand other folks, in this case, the racial dynamics of being AA in this country has made my respect for you grow enormously. Hey, you should coach the Warriors. Mr. Tolbert now, I know he's a good guy, but he's got his head in the sand when he says Shaq's comments offend maybe 20 people. Doesn't he walk down the streets of this City? He's made me not want to listen to him. REALLY. Let him know. Thanks again, Philip Kan Gotanda

Subj: Shaq Attack.
Date: 1/15/03 5:41:28 AM Romance Standard Time
From: Joe Ozu
To: [Emil Guillermo]

Guillermo, Philip Gotanda here. Thanks for writing the article in the SF Chronicle re Shaquille O'Neal and his comments re Yao Ming. I agree with all that you said. Thanks for articulating publicly what needs to be said over and over and louder and louder till it makes a dent in some people's very thick skulls. Over the weekend, I was listening to the weekend ESPN commentator, Jack Arute, who also gave a weak apologist's argument for Shaq's comments. I can happily report, he immediately received quite a few e-mail responses from Asian Americans taking him to task. I wrote the guy an e-mail, too. By the end of the broadcast he seemed to soften his stance - only because so many AA's e-mailed him�

Thanks for keeping the issue out there. You're much appreciated. Best, Philip Gotanda.

Note from the Editor: For more information about this issue and to get involved, read the petition online at

http://www.petitiononline.com/Shaq/