Myself and E have been talking about this all season and now that the mainstream media has hopped on it today, it bears bringing up: these t-shirts to your right vendors are selling outside Wrigley Field are a bit insensitive. The headbands they're selling are one thing, but replacing the letter "l" with the letter "r" and making an Asian-looking face on the Cubs logo is a whole 'nother thing. And before we get into the discussion of whether or not this world of ours today is too PC or I'm overreacting, why don't we just go to Kosuke Fukudome himself.
From Gordon Wittenmyer in today's Chicago Sun-Times:
'I don't know what the creator of the shirt meant this to be, but they should make it right,'' Fukudome said through his interpreter after being shown one of the shirts Thursday. ''Maybe the creator created it because he thought it was funny, or maybe he made it to condescend the race. I don't know.''Regardless, it's not funny. The image feeds not only ugly, arrogant and ignorant Japanese stereotypes, but also the stereotype of the obnoxious, profane, drunken, booing, garbage-throwing Cubs fan.
So there you have it: if the man himself isn't feeling it ... it's probably wasn't in the best taste of the vendors to dream these shirts up. Hopefully, in due time and with the attention this has gotten today, they'll take them off their shelves for good.
Latest Baseball Photos
Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Romero (28) is forced out by San Diego Padres' Callix Crabbe during the eighth inning of a baseball game on Friday, April 18, 2008 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
AP
Seattle Mariners' Richie Sexson high fives teammate Jose Vidro, left after his three run homer in the seventh inning to bring them within one run of the Los Angeles Angels during their MLB baseball game, Friday, April 18, 2008 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
AP
Seattle Mariners' Richie Sexson hits a three run homer in the seventh inning to bring them within one run of the Los Angeles Angels during their MLB baseball game, Friday, April 18, 2008 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
AP
Los Angeles Angels' Gary Matthews Jr. makes the catch for the out off of Seattle Mariners' Raul Ibanez's fly to right in the seventh inning during their MLB baseball game, Friday, April 18, 2008 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
AP
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher and former player for the Houston Astros' Taylor Buchholz retires the side in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the victory over the Astros during a baseball game Friday, April 18, 2008, at Minute Maid Park in Houston,Texas. Colorado won11-5. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)
AP
San Diego Padres pitcher Greg Maddux delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, April 18, 2008 in Phoenix. Maddux allowed 13 hits and nine runs in seven innings. (AP Photo/Matt York)
AP
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, April 18, 2008 in Phoenix. Haren gave up only three hits and allowed no runs in seven innings pitched. (AP Photo/Matt York)
AP
Arizona Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson, front, is congratulated by teammate Mark Reynolds after hitting his second triple of the night against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning Friday, April 18, 2008 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
AP
Arizona Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson connects for his second triple of the night against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning Friday, April 18, 2008 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
AP
Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, of Japan, runs to first for a single in the sixth inning during of a MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, April 18, 2008 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
AP
Comments (Page 1 of 9)
I hate the new thin-skinned country that political correctness has turned America into.
Is the shirt meant to showcase a stereotype about Japanese people? Yes. So What?
I'm Russian, and if the stereotype is that we are all drunks who live in -40 degree weather and dance with bears every once in a while, then guess what, it didn't come out of nowhere. Many Japanese people who speak English mispronounce Ls as Rs. Is it like making fun of a stuttering kid? A bit, but it's not any less funny because of it.
Quit claiming insensitivity and grow a pair.
By the way, this also goes for every other race/creed that has had stereotypes about them, or insulting words, or whatever. Get over it, it's just words, unless your race is actively being exterminated, just be quiet - it's not that bad, and everybody deals with it.
So to sum up, unless you're an Armenian 90 years ago, a Jew 65 years ago, or a Hutu 35 years ago, just shut up and deal with it.
"f#@% you...i'm getting paid, so in america, that makes it o.k....suck it up, get over it"
It is ridiculously unkind to tell people basically to "suck it up," when they are stereotyped or otherwise hurt by others. If you were the target of a hate crime, or emotionally wounded by a stereotype for any reason, I highly doubt you'd want someone telling you to "grow a pair." Being PC (politically correct) should not be a trend or fad--hopefully it will lead to a kinder America. I've heard since I was little (late 60's) that America is a melting pot of cultures. How can that be when Americans continue to stereotype anyone different from them? This stereotyping DOES NOT happen to everyone. I haven't heard of anyone in the white male category being slammed by insensitivity and these stereotypes. Stereotyping is just another form of bullying. Most of us want our children to be kind to everyone, but are we providing the best example when we laugh at jokes that are thinly-veiled ethnic slurs? Telling people not to be so thin-skinned,is simply another way to put the responsibility on the wrong person. It would be better if we made the situation very awkward for the person who made those remarks. No one likes being the focal point of those awkward moments. If everyone else turned to that person and looked astounded, displeased, and grew immediately silent, that person is likely to do some serious back-pedaling to get out of the situation with any dignity intact. Perhaps that embarrassment will teach the wiseacre what comments are socially appropriate and which aren't.
At least it might make them think twice before they say anything like that again. How many battles of ethnic cleansing and genocide, began with these prejudices? Let's all progress past the point of enjoying cracks that are hurtful to others, and celebrate our diverse nation! For the life of me, I can't understand why putting someone down for things that are out of their control, (ethnicity for one),is funny. I'm in a wheelchair. Anyone want to take pot shots at me? Even if I weren't in the wheelchair, I'd feel the same way about the unacceptable rudeness of some. Telling someone to "suck it up" or "grow a pair," is simply another way to blame the victim, which is neither fair or right.
Gimme a break....so many idiots got nothing more to do than whine, whine, whine about how "insensitive" some people are.....good grief....so freakin' what????? There are so many "puzzies" in country.....What happened to "freedom of speech"??? If you can't take the heat, get the vuck out....buncha whinin' azz people in this country nowadays.....
ADRIANNAAAAAAAA....SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO GROW A "PAIR"..........
White males don't constantly cry over stereotypes?
Italian-Americans created a furor over The Sopranos, saying that it was an extremely offensive stereotype of the Italian-American community. When most people would agree, that The Sopranos is just a show, and a more or less accurate portrayal of a tiny segment of the Italian-American community.
And it's not like there aren't any stereotypes about whites:
The French are stereotyped as arrogant and weak.
The Germans are seen as warmongering barbarians who do nothing but drink beer. With absolutely no cultural value to their culture whatsoever.
The English are seen as up-tight assholes with bad hygiene.
The Scotch - as penny-pinching Neanderthals.
The Irish - as drunks.
The Polish - as morons.
The Finns and Balts as mentally slow.
All - white stereotypes that are very common, do you see those people cry about it constantly? No.
It's a tiny segment of each community that feels so insecure about their own identity that they feel the need to attack any portrayal of their community that differs from the idealistic image of it in their mind.
R, if you will be kind enough to purchase one of these shirts for me, i will compensate you handsomely.
Once again the Bears fail at simple spelling. Even with changing the "l"s to "r"s they screwed up. HOLY HAS ONE "L" and should be changed to H-O-R-Y. And Cow is spelled K-O-W.
I guess if you're some impotent, insecure know-it-all, racism and stereotyping are OK... maybe it props you up a little. And don't say the examples given aren't racist, you know they are and I bet if somebody asked you in person if your were a racist you'd get offended and go on and on about the black guy you lived with in college or the immigrant you bought a drink for last weekend.
If Fukudome says it's not funny to him then Cubs fans should be embarrassed. Please approach an Asian person and speak in the manner suggested by the T-Shirt... no? Why not.. don't you want to express your freedom?
I believe in the Freedom of Speech and I stand by your right to spout ignorant, racist comments. I also believe you're a jerk... thank goodness I'm free to say so.
It's a freakin shirt. Sorry us Cub fans are creative thinkers.People need to lighten up and see the humour in things.Stop all the bitching and crying and enjoy a LAUGH once and a while.
The thought police strike again.
Tell em all blogger types , who determines what is "offensive? What happens when all potential "offensive" talk is squashed ?
Freedom of speech is just that. It protects people's right to say things that may be deemed unacceptable.
Do you we really want to live in a place where some speech is banned.
The offensive part of this story is that people truly don't the implications of this banning.
I don't get it at all and the article didn't explain squat either!
i'm from california ----- where and how casn i buy one of the t-stirts ?
its not the bears dumbazz its the cubs tobrien28
make more shirts....dont like it??? DONT LOOK
To me the shirt looks more like Harry Carey.
its not the bears tobrien28 its the CUBS!
i want a shirt like that so i can wear it too the chineeze buffett for a cup of rice and broccli lol. and if they dont like it there they can kiss my ass....they liked my hillbilly chopsticks that are nothing but a wooden clothes pin with the spring with long sticks stuck too it
NO MATTER WHAT THE CUBS WIN 13-1 WITH FUKUDOME HA!
i think all the little whiny a@#es should shut up and go suck a tit once in a while. everyone everywhere is stereotyped made fun of laughed at or beat up it's part of life. everyone also has at some point in life done it themselves. there is a pecking order in the animal kingdom and we are all at our cores animals why would we be any better. i say if you cant take a joke then don't buy the shirt watch the t.v. show read the book or anything. everyone has the right to look away do something else why does this world feel the need to cry about every little thing no wonder we have to start unneccesary wars just to try to show that the pansy's can be big men too.