February 4, 2009
-
Asian Eyes
Miley Cyrus is coming under fire after a photo of her turned up of her mocking Asian eyes by slanting her eyes with her fingers.
There is a token Asian friend in the photo. He looks unaware that they are making fun of his Asian eyes. Imagine his surprise when he saw the photo. Here is the link: Link
The OCA, a group dedicated to “dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans” is said to be angry over the photo.
They released a statement, “The photograph of Miley Cyrus and other individuals slanting their eyes currently circulating the Internet is offensive to the Asian Pacific American community and sets a terrible example for her many young fans. This image falls within a long and unfortunate history of people mocking and denigrating individuals of Asia descent.”
Do you think the photo is racist or just kids having fun?
Comments (256)
I think it’s a bunch of high/drunk spoiled rich kids havin’ a good ole’ time.
oh big fucking deal
OMG. Your posts are getting longer. Fucking cosmic. Psh. Who cares?
UH-OH (spaghetti-os)
Just kids having fun.
Mockery of race and culture wasn’t meant with any ill will. People are a little too up-tight about racism.
I think it’s hilarious.
Looks like kids having fun to me…
id need to hear the audio,,,,,
Blackface is funny too! Knee-slapping racism!
Well I mean…I can’t speak for the Asian community, but I believe they’re just having fun. I truly don’t believe they mean any offense.
having fun! There’s no reason to be ashamed of Asian eyes or it may be an issue.
Um, Why? You know what i’m going to do as a response? Rape and pillage indian villages. HUR HURR, just having fun guys.
I do not think that they were doing it to mock him behind his back,that would be racist and mean,they just look drunk and stupid.
well, kids had lots of fun in my school too, doung exactly what they’re doing in the picture. It’s only fun if you DON*T have Asian eyes
Seriously, why is it so funny ? People are so stupid =[
On that line of thought, isn’t it offensive for a group to ONLY be interested in the rights of Pacific Asians? Doesn’t that discriminate against other Asians as well as all other ethnicities? If I had the victim mentality some of these groups take, I would actually believe that and be offended myself. Personally I think most groups like this are just trying to stir up controversy to CREATE more tension between different ethnicities.
I will not let my indifference, er, love for young Miley colour my perception of this photo. Who is Miley Cyrus again? j/k
many asians, girls esp, hated their small asian eyes and some even resort to going under the knife or desperately wear coloured contacts to conceal the so-called dullnes of black eyes.
i won’t deny i sometimes wished i have caucasian blue eyes or a deeper set of peepers. but oh how wrong would they go with my hair colour and skin tone! i’m proud to be asian
I’m part asian. Who gives a fuck. Miley is a stupid, annoying, whiney teeny-bopper kid…I really could care less what she does. What angers me is that I have to hear about her every day.
this is like when people get all upset over comedy routines that make fun of everyone because they made fun of one particular group. It’s stupid. Nothing should be interpreted without context.
@Legendairy - On that line of thought, isn’t it offensive for a group to ONLY be interested in the rights of Pacific Asians?
Totally!
Like it bugs me how the Israel Lobby are so wrapped-up in their own self-interest. What about other Middle Eastern countries? What about the rights and soverignty of Arabs?
Having fun! My concern is more with the fact that they all look wasted and she’s all of…16?
@Legendairy - I don’t care about that statementas long as you have eyes like that, and are in minority it’s people making fun OF the way I look
you sound pretty smart ass
For crying out loud! It’s just a group of friends having some fun and one of them happens to be Miley Cyrus. Do they think that her fans wouldn’t have thought up doing it themselves if they hadn’t seen her do it?
I cant really say anything good or bad about it. It doesnt offend, in my opinion, but I really dont see whats so amusing about it.
@kissthewake - Well I mean…I can’t speak for the Asian community, but I believe they’re just having fun. I truly don’t believe they mean any offense.
This is a perfectly good standard. If I mean no offense, I can speak “nigger” “chink” and “gook” without the preception of racism. As long as in it’s in a cheery voice, it’s kosher.
When I imply racism around like-minded folks, the racist quality of the implication is nullified.
Kids having fun. The organization is equal to those that look for black things, Indian things, or any other race. They look for these things NOT because they are concerned about them. Their concern is about keeping an awareness so they can keep getting money for the cause! It’s all about money not about caring!
My friends do this to me in pictures all the time and it does get old. But they’re still my friends.
If you think about it, it is kind of sketch though. I mean… “just kids having fun”. That could be Miley pretending to give another guy oral (don’t believe me? check my roommate’s facebook album, “kids having fun”).
The kids are having fun.
I should wear a Nazi armband next Halloween. As long as I’m having fun, I will get away with it.
I’m an asian and when I saw the picture all I saw was just a bunch of kids having fun.
So what if Asian people have asian eyes? It’s a fact isn’t it? Although some of us doesn’t. I always tease my elder bro’s asian eyes (small, single eyelid and slanted) because I don’t really inherit the asian eyes look. He didn’t even take it seriously. He kept telling me that he has a pair of sexy eyes and I don’t.
I don’t find a big of a deal in this picture afterall.
No idea. I just wonder, would she find it funny if everyone else around her blew up the cheeks to get a face as round as hers?
Okay, so seriously… who has not done something stupid like that as a kid. It is just harmless fun. not meant to be insulting to anyone. We all as kids have done something or said something that could be taken way out of context, even as adults we have… Its not really that big of deal. People need to get over themselves enough to realize… THE WORLD DOES NOT OWE ANYONE ANYTHING.
I’m asian and I don’t have small eyes…..
lots of people tell me how much they wish they had my eyes
I’m not offended by the photo but I am offended how they just made fun of asiansif your gonna pick on a race, just pick on all of them
WTF? Most of these comments are unbelievable in that they are saying that this type of behavior is OK. Or at worst, excusable.
Why not just put on blackface for fun? Or walk around with nooses? Some people seem to think it’s OK as long it’s not meant to be offensive.
The picture may not be overt racial hatred, but that doesn’t mean it’s not racist. And it is not limited to “just kids having fun.” It’s definitely retarded, though.
I don’t know these people. I don’t really know what they were doing. So I won’t judge.
Having fun.
@huginn - Stop mocking the English royalty!
@relaxolgy - Actually I’m part Cherokee. Beyond that, I went to Jr. High in the local ghetto where I was threatened and called just about everything in the book. That school had a reputation (and a barbed wire fence to keep people out) for a reason. One could not go to that school without getting into several fights unless they were female or had darker complection. I hate racism with a passion. As for the picture above, I think it’s stupid to be sure. It’s not something I would be doing but I also don’t know the story behind the picture. If it was about mocking someone that’s one thing but for all I know, the person taking the picture might have asked them to do it. So while my other comment might have sounded a little “smart”, it’s only because I’ve seen first hand what the controversy can do. Too often these groups create controversy where there really shouldn’t be one and any time a story like this comes out in the news, people in positions like I was get targeted by people who get riled up by it.
Why does it have to be an either/or? Can’t you have racist fun?
I think they’re just having fun.
Miley Cyrus, and any other celebrity, can be doing next to nothing in a picture, and the media will find something about it ‘offensive’
they look….not sober.
and besides it looks like the asian guys is widening his eyes to mock the white people
I don’t think its that big a deal.
Why is everything automatically that people are trying to make fun of some group of people? Why is it not possible that they were just having fun or maybe even doing it in deference to that asian friend somehow?
ahhh they’re just having fun…
WOW… I think this is one of those things we will never really know because we weren’t there…
The asian kind of looks like he’s trying to open his eyes and make them more caucasian.
At least that’s what I took away from the picture.
Maybe I’m wrong.
@Legendairy -
ok I don’t support that statement or that lobby group. But I think it’s stupid to focus on that.
Honestly I think this whole post is STUPID.
it’s more like take in the meesage – yes some pepople are SINCERELY offended by what the people are doing in the photo.
Oh WHY? that is the interesring question that could be a first step to progress. Hmm, Asian eyes are still stigmatic, whay, and what would take that stigma away?
Oh, please, it’s just kids having fun. I have Asian friends and we tease back and forth over racial stuff all the time.
Kids being kids.
@MyJudas - I have a Black friend. I call him “Nigga” and get away with it.
Therefore, every other Black person shouldn’t be offended when I call them “Nigga.”
Just kids having fun. I don’t think they intended for it to be racist!
For like the third time in Xanga history, I have to agree with Huggin. I have friends of all races and ethnicity and backgrounds, and we all pick on each other in a fun-loving manner. If I could count the number of pictures taken similar to this one? It’d be a lot. And yes, they pick on us white folk, too.
I think she looks like a drunk 16 year old with guys way too old for her.
I don’t think she’s being racist.
I think she’s being dumb.
@afadedphotox - haha, I agree!
I thinks that’s stupid, how do you know their not trying to make fun of retards? or they all have migraines or their just being stupid. I do not think that insulting anyone was their intention at all!!!
these people need to get over themselves.
Gees, they take everything offesnively.
Really? Wow, they’re just having fun – get over it already!
Just because you imitate someone doesn’t mean you are making fun of them. While this could be used to make fun of a race, it certainly doesn’t consitiute racism in and of itself.
Th fact that they may think it’s just funny is just ignorant. I’m not offended by it.
looks more like their making fun of retards NOT Asians.
Still the same, that’s just as bad.
But, again, I don’t it was intentional.
Racist.
i personally don’t like miley, but i don’t think the picture is a big deal.
looks to me as if all the other kids (who happen to be white) are making small eyes while the asian kid is opening his wider. he’s probably aware.
not that big of a problem, if you ask me.
i dont think miley cyrus is THAT dumb to put herself in a position like this… its clearly a bad photo of all of them having fun…
I’m sure there are multiple pictures that were taken in this pose but this one in particular was chosen cuz it just “looked bad” esp considering the cluelessness in that kids face… but it looks like he was about to say something maybe “wait!” to take a better pic?
BTW: it doesnt even look like miley… and i’m also concerned why there are minors drinking.. unless that’s a 21 yr old who likes to hang out with minors which I think is just as bad if not more?
I think its just kids having fun, just how black people get made fun of for big lips and white people get made fun of for big noses..
and the funny thing is all those kids are making their eyes “ASIAN” yet the asian kid is the one with the biggest eyes in that picture.. hahaha
Both. Just because it’s fun, it doesn’t make it right.
Not being Asian, I fully admit I really don’t understand why that’s offensive. So being a non-Asian, here’s my take:
Yes, it does give a bad image toward her, and no, she should not have done that
BUT -
Miley Cyrus is all of, what, 16? If she offended someone, she does need to apologize, BUT in turn, people also need to stop getting so offended by one stupid photograph. How likely is it that many other pictures were taken at this party (or whatever it is), and do you honestly think they did this is EVERY SINGLE picture?
I promise Miley is not the only person who does that. Are you going to get offended at every person who’s ever slanted their eyes in a picture and demand an apology? How much time and energy would that take, and how else can you use that time and energy for something constructive?
Just relax!
who claimed that manually stretching your eyes with fingers is the international sign for racism against asians ..?
i dont think this even deserved a post.
They’re definitely just having fun! Didn’t anyone else ever say that rhyme “Chinese, Japenese, Dirty Knees, Look at these! (and then you pulled up your shirt… weird…)” when they were little? You’re supposed to pull your eyes into “Asian” eyes when you do that rhyme. Should we peg all those kids as racists?
I’m sorry, but these people look completely stoned. Especially the guy Miley’s sitting on. I’d be more concerned about that, not the eye thing.
It looks like he’s making fun of them as well.
No harm. No hate.
Stop turning everything into hate.
Oh snap, someone made Asian eyes…who cares.
Mostly kids having fun, but it is racist. They are focusing on a racial difference (probably without ill will). It certainly could be insensitive.
If I had a limp or something and my friends made fun of me by limping, I should probably be tough enough to take the teasing, but it is cruel nonetheless – I would just have to assume good will on their part.
Best call is to avoid such potentially misinterpreted antics.
White people acting typically white. Making fun of ethnicities is par for the course. It doesn’t bother me but only certain kinds of people do these things. It would never occur to me or my friends to make fun of other cultural groups. We just don’t think that way.
We do make fun of “ghetto” behavior but you can be black, white, hispanic or asian and still be ghetto.
why would you think he is unaware, maybe he was aware but just looking into the camera
And seriously we can’t take everything up the ass
Hold on, didn’t the Spanish basketball team just get yelled at for doing the same thing in a magazine?
So one minute it’s racist and the next it’s not?
UGH, white people are so stupid!
“I’m not offended by it” NO SHIT YOU AREN’T, YOU’RE NOT ASIAN!
I’m going to take a picture of me putting a noose around my neck while picking some cotton and call it “having fun.”
Racist gestures will always be racist, no matter what the context. She may have not known the implications of it, but it doesn’t mean it’s right.
Seriously I get dumber and dumber reading the retards on Xanga everyday.
Why is she the only one under attack…because she is famous?
Is it fair to have every aspect of one’s life under inspection and constant watch?
Where does it say that in the job description?
The photo alone doesn’t seem offensive to me. Michael Richards and Christian Bales outrage do though.
Which one’s Miley? they all look the same to me!
Ugh.
Kids having fun.
Ridiculous.
They should be shot.
how is that making fun of someone? if you have slanted eyes….then you have slanted eyes. Get the fuck over it. I have freckles…..I get the fuck over it.
My asian laughs at her asianess and I laugh at my whiteness. It’s just stupid fun. There are more important things in the world to be getting “upset” about.
@kad1190 - Oh childhood memories…
I think this is just a group of kids having fun and how do you know that they didnt have a convo. about all of this before they took the picture???
@LyricallyCharged - After I typed out that little rhyme, I felt like a freak. I mean, what kind of child’s rhyme is that to say? Make fun of the Asians, talk about dirty knees (why are your knees dirty…???), and then show off your boobies. I’m very confused about my choice of childhood rhymes
haha.
@onlyFORaLILwhile - how is that making fun of someone? if you have slanted eyes….then you have slanted eyes.
If the folks in the pictures didn’t pull their eyes in to make fun and to mock, what other reason could it be for? There isn’t any other likely reason.
I certainly don’t think that theye ach got dust in their eyes all at the same time.
Get the fuck over it. I have freckles…..I get the fuck over it.
The issue here whether or not people have particular traits or ethnic features, the question is the appropriateness of mocking such traits.
My asian laughs at her asianess and I laugh at my whiteness.
And some white folks like to wear white tablecloth and plant burning wooden crosses to laugh at the blackness of some of their African-American neighbors.
@Yosho - but it’s okay for you to use the word “retard”? I say that’s a little offensive because I have family members that are mentally disabled. Watch what you say when you’re trying to make a point. And stop taking everything so seriously.
just having fun! i’m asian and i’m not offended by it~
@kad1190 - Haha. That rhyme was WAY more R-rated (both racially and sexually) then we thought it was as kids. “Dirty knees” and then look at my boobs? I mean, I can only think of one action that would lead to dirty knees and then flashing.
@PoisonGrl21 - Ugh.
Kids having fun.
Ridiculous.
They should be shot.
Ugh.
Racial insensitivity.
You should be drawn and quartered.
@huginn - Wow.
Just wow.
Someone has NO sense of humor.
“If you take yourself too seriously, it’s probably because no one else does.”
@LyricallyCharged - hahahaha, yeahhh, me too!
@PoisonGrl21 - thank you. some people are taking this WAY too seriously. (drawn and quartered?? honestly???)
@kad1190 - but it’s okay for you to use the word “retard”? I say that’s a little offensive because I have family members that are mentally disabled. Watch what you say when you’re trying to make a point. And stop taking everything so seriously.
Rather than using “retard” as a metaphor, maybe we should actually act mentally retarded in mock fun!
This would be lightening up, this would be not taking things seriously.
@huginn - I can’t understand you. Your negativity is distracting me.
@PoisonGrl21 - Wow.
Just wow.
lol
Someone has NO sense of humor.
rofl
“If you take yourself too seriously, it’s probably because no one else does.”
*does jumping jacks*
@kad1190 - I know right?
*At first he said lynched* — I wonder why he changed it.
there’s an asian guy in the picture so it’s ok.
They’re just having fun. I bet the “token Asian” knows he’s the token Asian and always cracks jokes about it. The only weird thing to me in this photo is that everyone around her seems to be over 20 and she’s just 16.
@kad1190 - I can’t understand you. Your negativity is distracting me.
Oh. It would be clearer in the context of the replied comment. (Quoted in bold and italics).
@huginn - Wow, you have issues and I sincerely hope you seek the psychological help you so clearly need.
@PoisonGrl21 - Because it wouldn’t be painful enough. I was also hoping that the small spark of creativity would blind you.
I think that they’re just being stupid. Even so, I really dislike Miley Cyrus. I’ve seen her show and think she’s annoying and not a good role model for young girls anyway. First of all, she’s dating a 20 year old. Granted, I realize that not many see anything wrong with that – being that alot of underage girls tend to date older guys. The point is that I don’t see her turning into a “good” role model.
I’m also saddened that her parents have made her grow up so quickly. They’ve had her working since a very young age! You can’t tell me they did all of that because “she wanted to”. They encouraged and pushed her into a business that tends to chew up young kids and then leave them dysfunctionally screwed by 20 years old.
@PoisonGrl21 - Wow, you are presumptuous.
I sincerely hope you are not an employed detective (or lawyer).
I think parents need to chill the fuck out.
It’s just a bunch of kids having fun and making fun of each other.
C’mon, we all somehow sometime in our life mock at least one person.
Just because Asian is a minority then everything about it suddenly becomes racist (this also applies to other minorities)
So what if a minority start mocking a White guy? That probably won’t be count as racist, and it’d be just “kids having fun.”
I’ve looked at this photo about 20 times and I still can’t freaking tell which one is hannah montana. None of them look like her and it pisses me off. But I don’t think it’s racist, people need to learn how to not take things so seriously. One time when I was little I covered myself in mud so I could be black. I thought it was the best thing ever.
kids just having fun but also being racist.
@leadheavy - Why is she the only one under attack…because she is famous?
In effect, yes. With fame, comes a platofrm and its accompaying influence. If not explicitly, in a commercial or television broadcast, but implicitly, in the attention we pay it.
Is it fair to have every aspect of one’s life under inspection and constant watch?
In fame, everything is magnified. This is as true in politics as it is in the entertainment industry.
Where does it say that in the job description?
It does, implicitly. Any congressman or President entering office loses their expectation of privacy. It comes with the territory.
Likewise, the fame and earning power of entertainers come from the attention we give them. *Interest* isn’t something we can turn off at a moment’s notice..
it’s just fun.
it’s just miley cyrus.
I bet they were just messing with the asian guy in the photo. They’re just having fun.
She was probably a kid having fun. But after the “artistic” photo scandal, I thought she’d have learnt her lesson about how everything she does is magnified a million times. She was asking for it this time.
Just having fun, but they always should consider other people’s feeling.
itz impossible to judge the cituayshun cuz we wernt ther a fotograf only tellz a frakshun of the story
I think they were just having fun. The Asian kid even has a fake surprised face on
People are waaay too sensitive. Need to lighten up. Why is that the security of one’s identity is so dependent upon others???!
so retarded.
If anyone else did it, it would be nothing… I remember doing it when I was little. It wasn’t to make fun of them, it was just to make me look like I had them.
Anyway, they look DRUNK to me. Maybe that explains it.
Would this even be a big deal if she wasn’t famous?
It isn’t racist. That is for sure.
How stupid do people have to be to actually mark this as racist?
@kad1190 - Did you know how hurtful that rhyme was to the kids you recited it to? I mean, you seem to have realized the implications of it now –it WAS a racist ditty, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. And it does have an impact. It’s the saddest thing when you talk to a little Asian kid and they tell you very earnestly about how when they grow up, they’re going to have eyelid surgery so that they can look like everyone else and stop being teased.
Miley may not have intended to be racist, and I agree that this would be ok if it were an inside joke amongst friends who all understood –for example, one of my white friends teases his black roommate about how his hair is like pubic hair. It’s ok for them because they don’t mean it offensively; but it wouldn’t be ok for him to say that to any random black person, right? The argument that “Oh, I say that to my friend all the time and he’s black and doesn’t care” wouldn’t work.
Like huggin said– as a celebrity, her behavior IS under scrutiny and she does get held to a higher standard. Having a pic taken like this? Not smart.
If she does it, then other kids who look up to her will consider it acceptable/cool and imitate her –and it isn’t ok to do when it hurts other people. Perhaps in the context that she did it in, it was acceptable; but as a celeb, she has to know that pics can be leaked and taken out of context, and the kids who emulate her most likely do not know to take that context into consideration.
I’m pretty sure the Asian’s guys eyes are wide so he can make fun of white people’s eyes – like a comparison thing.
@huginn - Do you really use the most taboo word a non-black could possibly say???
That’s brave!!!
An ideal society is not one in which nobody ever makes fun of anybody… The goal of teaching cultural sensitivity should not be to eliminate ALL acknowledgment of differences regardless of context. It should be to apply reason and constraint when deciding how we interact with one another.
That being said, if people are offended by this picture circulated online, they aren’t doing anything *wrong* by being offended. There’s nothing wrong with making a statement about it, making a big deal about it (though I might question the strategic value of this particular issue). Someone who is famous does have a responsibility to be more sensitive of the impact of their actions on the wider community. If Barack Obama does “slanty eyes” you can bet it will be a serious problem no matter how innocently he might have meant it. It may not be fair to be put under such scrutiny but it is the way it is. Somebody can be hurt by our gestures however much they were just “all in good fun” whatever that means. So if your actions have an impact on a large scope, you should be careful.
People make fun of disabilities, shortness, height, various types of ears, various types of teeth, ways of walking, carrying ourselves, skin color, hair color, hair type, and various other physical characteristics that we all KNOW shouldn’t matter at all. People are hurt by these kinds of humour all the time. People always will be. Other times though in other contexts people are just entertained and amused, EVEN IF it is they who are the targets of the critique.
Are doing these things wrong? Often yes. But there has to be some sense of proportionality to our analysis. There IS a fundamental difference between vindictive cruelty designed and perpetuated in order to hurt people and a gentle mocking amongst friends.
@huginn - Agreed. People are way too uptight nowadays. I’m sure people in china mock people over here. Nevermind knowing that white guys were called “gwai lo” (or what sounds to be that) in the hallways in front of their faces to refer to them without them knowing.
*shrug*
Yeah yeah, whatever. I could care less about Miley Cyrus or a bunch of dumb highschool kids.
@nidan - Today, I am a prickly porcupine. Sometimes, I try to go owl. But today,I’m bitingly sarcastic. =)
I was trying to draw instigate a discussion by demonstration my argument in action (well, in speech).
@huginn - I’m just an ass!!!
@haloed - Way too uptight!!! Too true!!!
I think there are people who take this sort of thing WAY too seriously.
Someone is always going to be offended.
The best we can do is try to understand one another as best we can.
It is our motives that come to light over and over again. Our actions will speak louder than our words.
BUT, I think this is a photo of a bunch of kiddies having fun. No harm done. I bet the guy in the photo is very aware of what is going on. The photo only shows one instant in something that took place over several minutes.
eh, whatever! Why aren’t we talking about the thousands of other photos just like this? A celebrity does it and it’s a big drama- I’d be more concerned that she’s with a bunch of older guys drinking, but that’s okay- right?
I’m not personally offended (much). This is likely because I’m mostly caucasian.
Seeing how I’m not a moron however, I can easily see how this would be offensive. I’m sure they’re having fun with it, yeah, but I’m sure the Klan also has fun screaming racial slurs and lighting crosses.
This is most likely not fully intentional racism like in my above example, but it is racist. It’s offensive and stupid and people really should know better. Especially people in the public eye.
ching chong ching ching chong – adam carolla
Just fun. Really stupid fun.
whatever. Its a bunch of kids. It would never have made the news if Miley Cyrus hadn’t been in the photo.
Kids having fun. All kids do things like that.
Where’s this Miley Cyrus character in the photo? They all look Asian to me.
How about the Losers? Who’s standing up for the Losers in our society? Everybody thinks its fine to make fun of the Losers and put them down and charge them extra for everything. The Losers don’t get to stand around with the cool people and go to cool parties. The Losers get caught in photos picking their nose and it’s okay to publish that in the school yearbook.
Once I was called a buffoon. Little did that guy know I really am a buffoon. It hurt my feelings a lot and I have to say it’s probably the reason I couldn’t get ahead in life like all the other white guys.
I think she didn’t have enough to drink.
Jesus let the girl have some fun. I”m sure he’s a friend and they joke.
That token asian guy probably knew they were doing it. It’s just kids having fun. They weren’t being malicious. People have learned to use humor as a means of accepting each others differences; groups like the OCA are just trying to make this kind of stuff into racism, which is the opposite of their mission.
This is all OCA has to complain about? Kids taking silly MySpace pictures? They sound pretty useless.
why are people making up excuses for her and her actions? it’s obviously racist and these kids are drunk off their minds to care what we think. it’s just bullshit to them. also, they’re not harming anyone, right? it has to do with a lot more than just “having fun”. some of you guys commenting should really take a ethnic studies class PLEASE. get educated before you blurt out something stupid on your behalf.
she’s obviously looked up to by little kids.. so to present herself like that is kinda stupid. of corse.. there’s nothing anyone can do. = racism is complex and immortal.
I’m sick of Miley Cyrus. This is just another celebrity putting on a front to get attention.
Kids having fun…
It’s not overtly offensive, but it’s definitely still stupid.
now that i know that miley cyrus was mocking my nationality i hate her even more.
It’s not appropriate, but since when is teenagers’ behaviour 100% appropriate?
If people are relying on teen pop stars to teach their children values (instead of teaching them themselves), they’re in for some nasty surprises down the road…
Kids having fun. The token Asian will probably just laugh.
i dont think its racist I just think its stupid.
What would we think of the picture if it didn’t have someone well known in it? My guess is that we wouldn’t have given it a second thought. It’s a jealousy thing. You want to have someones popularity and you can’t so you tear that person down any way you can.
They are just having fun. I’ve encountered numerous people mocking Asian eyes all the time.
I doubt that the Asian kid was clueless.
But I am glad the world media has nothing better to freak out about.
She looks a bit too young to be hanging out with them <_<
I doubt she even realized wut she was doing. Cos she’s a fucking dumb ass.
I hate Miley Cyrus and her never ending unnecessary bullshit.
political correctness is so deep in our culture, that even this little piece of silliness gets criticized. this is so stupid – to start ringing the ‘racist alarm’ based on a picture of a bunch of teens goofing off.
its just dumb kids doing dumb things
@just_the_average_jane - Of course I didn’t know it was racist back then. I was probably 6 years old or younger. I didn’t know that was a mean rhyme. Of course it was in bad forum for Miley to do that, especially since she’s a role model for so many children. You said it yourself: your white friend makes fun of his black roommate, but he wouldn’t say it to a random black person.
This is a joke between friends… and it’s just a shame that the media takes personal photographs like that and plasters them all over the tv and internet. If the media really cared about the safety of the children, they would work to keep that photo hidden so that children didn’t see it.
And by the way, why have I gotten picked apart all over this post for saying the exact same thing others have said?
I dont even care that they are making fun. But those ppl dont look like kids. They look like their in their 20′s.
Ill just make fun of white ppl by pressing my lips together, pretending I dont have any. Awwwwww, was that mean?
But Miley Cyrus shouldnt do it. She’s a role model. But…she is a little kid. But still…she is exposed to so much more that she know better.
Try growing up as a redhead… and the crap that goes along with that.
Think I’ll sue the world.
x
@relaxolgy - Yeah, I never understood that stigma to be honest. I mean, I always thought Asian eyes were beautiful, not something they should be ashamed of. I think that way about a lot of things people (in general) seem ashamed of honestly. I see so many people that aren’t happy with some physical quality they have when all too often that very quality is something that makes them stand out in a good way. Maybe my perspective is one of an idealist but whether it’s eyes, ears, nose, or any other feature people might have a stigma about, I tend to think that the stigma is almost ironic. I know I can’t be the only one who sees it this way.
Kids having fun being racist? I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I think we all have our racist moments. Some are dumb enough to document them in photos.
They were just kidding…. I bet…
Cry me a river… and get me some chow mein, bitch!
@MarrieM - political correctness is so deep in our culture, that even this little piece of silliness gets criticized.
How do you suppose the standadrs of political correctness became so deeply embedded in public conduct? Try 300 years of institutionalized racism.
It’s better to be over-sensitive than callous to these sort of thigns.
this is so stupid – to start ringing the ‘racist alarm’ based on a picture of a bunch of teens goofing off.
To the racially deaf, alarm bells are naturally redundant.
It’s just out of fun.
Pure and simple.
Live and laugh. I believe when you truly accept who you are and what you are like, you’ll be able to laugh about it. Joke around a bit. Make light of the situation.
… If I’m not mistaken I think the “token Asian friend” may actually be mocking Caucasians. Just food for thought.
as long as the joke cuts both ways, it’s fine.
it does look bad that the one asian guy is like the only one who’s not part of the joke.
kinda sad…
haven’t we gone over this before? it’s nothing to get riled up over…. they’re just idiots, let them have their fun
Kids having fun.
Nothing to see here, move along.
KIDS HAVING FUN. Geezus. I should slap that organization for being retarded. Wtf is wrong with the world.
Miley Cyrus kills puppies with her awful, whiny voice!
Ok, not really, but I wish I didn’t have to hear her singing on the radio, in my car, on TV, everywhere?!
Anyway, she’s just being a teenager, doing teenager-y things, only her adolescence is on display for the whole world to watch. Give her a break (even though I cannot stand her one bit)!
She’s just jealous because asians are beautiful and exotic
(I know I am!)
Oh my goodness! Wouldn’t it SUCK to be famous?!? You mean 16 yr olds sometimes say, do, or think inappropriate things. Welcome to the human race, idiots. People need to leave that girl alone, or she is going to go WAY off the deep end. Who could live under that kind of scrutiny? Not me.
hey, i’m not living proof that billy ray had sex with a woman.
to them it’s just for fun but when you have 12093 preteens idolizing you, you gotta remember you have a huge responsibility as a star or whatever she calls herself. you’re not getting overpaid to set an example of yourself being racist for children.
and if miley cyrus really wants to go round making those eyes, the least she could do is not get her picture taken while doing so
I think it is a bunch of kids joking around. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with kids knows they are not saints. Okay, so what she did wasn’t PC, deal with it! She’s just a kid! Ugh.
The Asian looks like he was trying to make his eyes look bigger. =S they’re just opposites. And he’s not coming under fire with the other folks. Meh.
Most Asians don’t even have small eyes pfft. They only appear to have small eyes because they’re not double lid-ed (eye lids) and they only have one. Which gives the affect of “Asian eyes” pfft. I don’t like Miley Cyrus so pfft to her.
i’m fairly sure the kid knew, and if he didn’t then he’s really slow. i’m not sure how you can miss the other six people behind you making the same face and not pay attention. anyway, just fun. though, she should be more responsible than that.
looks like miley cyrus is fucking up all over the place…lol.
Umm, what does Miley Cyrus look like? which one is her? lol
Hmm, let’s see. What have we learned today?
A pop culture icon manufactured by a huge corporation fails as a role model.
And this is new ground why?
I remember something like this from the Olympics with the Spain basketball team making the same face Miley did. Eh, whatever.
@TheJoyfulCynic - exactly. I wish she would just disappear already. LOL.
Seriously, I think we are continuing a downward spiral that every slight offense will lead to a media outcry. It takes away from the true cases of injustice.
I’m against racisim in all forms. There is a difference in insensitivity and racism.
Is it a stupid thing for her to do since the world looks at her under a microscope? Yes.
Racisit, unlikely. They look like kids having fun.
Both, racist and having fun mocking Asians. I’m personally don’t find it to be funny not only because I’m Chinese American but, I have been teased for so long. For your information I don’t have slanted or tiny eyes but immature people like to mock me anyway.
I think humor at anyone’s expense is wrong….I’m not sure I would necessarily call it racist, though.
ANOTHER Miley scandal? Man, this girl is getting really annoying x_x It’s not racist. The meaning of racism is that you have prejudice against that race for how they look or act. I know these kids are just kidding around but they should find something else to fill their time instead of this kind of stuff because sometimes people can get offended.
If I were an Asian I don’t think I would be offended but not everyone is me.
@huginn - To the racially deaf, alarm bells are naturally redundant.
That’s most definitely my quote of the day.
@MyJudas - i have white friends, and therefore it is ok to call white people redneck crackers?
considering they’re all 15-17, I don’t think they were trying to be bigoted.
they’re stupid teenagers and when you’re that age, you don’t know any better. hell, even adults make mistakes sometimes.
I think they after a good -apeaking to they’ll be fine.
what is their problem? blowing things out of proportion… it’s just a bunch of kids goofing in front of the camera.I’m not a miley fan but it’s ridiculous. The OCA is OA.
Oh come on. Its just a funny joke among friends. There’s an Asian kid sitting right there
Its not racist to point out things about different races and ethnicities. There has to be some form of malice behind it.
Friends make fun of each other. It’s what actual friends do. If the Asian guy is there friend, he’ll laugh it off and come back with a funny joke.
about all the white guys and girls sitting there. There are plenty of jokes about that race too.
i dont think you should have input saying its not offensive unless you have eyes like that. If you are in the asian community, you should know there are a lot of people who wish to have slits above their eyes, and to have that make fun of, i think it is a somewhat offensive, but not racist. I hate it when people make fun just because I have slanted eyes. I DONT think its funny at all. Imagine having slanty mono eyelids and then see if you think that photo is funny. probably not.
what the fuck
there’s so much going on in the world and they’re freaking out about this?
it’s only offensive if you want it to be.
It’s not to me, mostly because my eyes are big for asians.
Sure, if i had slanted eyes, i would be like “wtf?”
but i would get over it.
it’s not like people wouldn’t have made fun of me before it.
i think they’re having fun. but hey this pic is kind of intimidating the one guy who’s not doing a slanted eye. Do they all have to make slanted eyes? WTF.
It just a bunch of kids being kids and having fun! Possibly an inside joke that no one gets?
Anybody else notice that they are all making silly faces? Not racist at all.
LOL totally planned.
RACIST!!
@writingsongsforBlair - majority of them are in their 20s. Miley is 16 but her boyfriend is 20. All of them look WELL over 17 so I am guessing they are more around her boyfriends age.. well past immature teenage days.
I think they are either high or drunk. That being said, she still should have control over her actions. She KNOWS she is watched 24/7. Yes, I do slant my eyes sometimes. Yes, I am a teenager. Yes, I have asian friends. No, I am not racist. But… I would never take a picture of it for the world.. er or my facebook friends.. to see.
You don’t know how people will react to something and before you take a picture that can be sent to people and copied, think about your actions.
I think they’re just being idiots, but that’s just me. I do think they are crossing the line, but could honestly care less. If there was somehow as easy a way to mock a black person in a similar fashion, the shit would hit the fan, the NAACP would be all over it. Quite honestly, Asians do get mocked and messed with, but for the most part, either look the other way or just don’t voice their discontent. Thus, nobody notices. Now, if Asians got more pissed about things and mentioned it, I bet we’d be on the same track to biting our tongues around them and watching every word we say.
It’s funny though, based on experience, it’s any non-Asian who mocks and has a total lack of understanding for the Asian person. So, I won’t just put the weight on a caucasian person. But, if the roles were reversed, the other party would be completely offended and outwardly so. This goes for any other culture. But hey, Asians don’t get it because none of them speak English. Lol, for some reason, all Asians speak “Ching, ching, chang chong.” Can’t count how many times I’ve heard that, followed by a laugh.
Maybe she was mocking stoners. A couple of the kids in the photo look pretty stoned.
I used to do that as a kid sometimes, because I always thought the slanted eye look was pretty. Not out of racism at all.
I don’t care about Miley Cyrus, so therefore, I don’t really care about the picture.
Kids having fun. I make fun of my Asian friend all the time… she starts it. I would never have made fun of her (I’m really sensitive about that usually) unless she had legitimized it by doing it herself; we both know it’s all in good fun and she makes fun of me for being white too. Sometimes these things can be taken too seriously.
Everyone has done this at one point in their life. It’s sad that the media acts as if no one else has done this before.
@huginn - Great answers! Now one more question: Should it always be that way?
@leadheavy - Umm, probably not. As we know with Princess Di, sometimes, the intrusiveness in the media and the nosiness of the public is a lot worse than it should be.
@huginn - As you said =)
Ironically, the token Asian guys’ eyes aren’t as small as the rest make them to be.
it’s funny that the asian kid has the widest set eyes.
this is why we should not have 15 year olds as role models. they are just kids themselves.
It looks like the Asian guy is purposely making his eyes wider. >.>
And how is pointing out that Asians generally have smaller eyes than other races racist?
It’s not like they’re beating him up while slanting their eyes.
@Legendairy - I wish I could make you understand why it is stigmatic. to some, sometimes.
Ok I’m biased. since to me it’s NEVER been a postivtie thing when people comment/focus on my Asian eyes. See, my DNA is 100% Asian, and I was shipped off to Europe as a baby. I grew up in a white faimly, in the countryside where most people had never seen an Asian before. And evn today I often feel like I’m some kind of show dog for people to stare at, compare to others with Asian eyes, question if I speak anything but chinese, qurstion the race of that father to my children, sometimes vcomplimenting me based on my Asianness.
Why is it so hard to understand that it feels degrading?
And – I have heard similar stories from Asian Americans.
That does not mean I can’t appreciate a compliment if soomebody finds my eyes beautiful. I would like to just be – left alone. But I’m stuck in a world where strangers or anyone else sees it as their perogative to comment my eyes, make questions about my descent etc. I just wish it wouldn’t matter what people look like. But it does. and nobody want to really admit it.
lol I think Joe McHale should see this. And she’s still with that guy? Bleh! (“IT’S STILL A FELONY!”) Haha (anyone who doesn’t watch The Soup probably doesn’t get that). Haha I do love the token Asian guy in the middle of it all. Notice how they all have their eyes squinted and he has his wide…hmm.
They look wasted and she’s a bit too young to br drinking isn’t she? Tisk tisk
I see the others are doing it as well. Or they all need glasses badly. They’re all are just getting into the Chinese New Year spirits. I’m Chinese. I see no harm in there. Other ethnics groups around here do the same thing.
you would be surprised. my husb is Japanese, and i work with lots of Asian and Asian -mixed kids. Yes, those who like to bully use anything. The unfortunate problem for Asian people, is most of them go with their culture and really don’t want to “stand up” to the dominant culture. It is rude. Gran Torino had it right. Need someone to help them see how to stand up.
I guess it all depends on the context?
But based on what i see, it’s just people having fun! “Why so serious?”
If you can’t tell, that one Asian guy is mocking all the white people in the room by straining to keep his eyes as wide as he can. Granted, he definitely failed but he was still mocking them.
Asians are jerks.
God but people are sensitive aren’t they? I wish those people would die.
Kids having fun. The asian guy in the photo is the only one with his eyes open. Perhaps it is a commentary on having squinty eyes in general. I am in not asian but in pictures my eyes always look closed or squinty.
I didn’t take offense, my first thought was that Miley looks good with Asian Eyes
I have to comment on this.
I don’t care to much about Cyrus but please, they are just kids having fun. I been busted for my white attributes plenty of times and you know what, I have laughed about it myself. People take things to seriously.
Oh please, they’re not mocking at all, just having fun…and that Asian guy looks like he’s in on it with that face he’s making. There is such a thing as too PC. And like I told my Asian friends, we’ve all got a little bit of Asian in us. I myself am caucasian. And since we all know that man originated in Africa we all technically have a bit of that in us, too.
As someone who is part rabbit, I find the bunny ears on the one kid to be offensive.
This poor girl she is always being picked on for stupid stuff. She took nude photos ( that weren’t nude) she took a picture of herself in a bikini that was not supposed to make into the public eye. And I dont know a 16 year old who hasn’t taken a picture of themselves in a bikini, so who cares. Then there was the pregnancy scam that wasn’t true. She’s not freakin perfect people, I do not think she was maliciously trying to hurt anyone. Shes 16, give her a break. She’s not out getting high 24/7 and driving drunk and getting put in jail or getting knocked up or anything. She’s a well rounded normal teenager in an abnormal environment.
its kids joking around…. seriously… i mean, yeah, its innapropriate, but get over it. everyone is innapropraite. people are just way too uptight.
I think the Asian guy needs better friends. Alcohol is no excuse for rudeness. I didn’t even know Miley was in the photo until it was pointed out. Her behavior seems to be regressing. I guess she is going through the “rebellious teen” phase.
Kids being kids.
@harryswifie - read my comment.
it is stupid and dumb even if they are just having fun. if her and her friends colored their faces black the black community would be upset so why shouldn’t asians be upset by the slanting of eyes. the asian in this pic doesnt even have slanted eyes. it is a freaken stereotype.
@pRiNcEsSpOrKiE - hah! Robert Downey, Jr. just played an Australian guy playing a black guy playing a Chicken’n'George black guy and everyone thought it was just funny because it’s just silly and messin’ around. Well, not everyone… but it was just innocent humor.
@pRiNcEsSpOrKiE - Anyway, just ask huginn if he finds it offensive.
Racism is when you dislike someone soley based on their race. Do you really think that is the case here? Are we programmed to be offended at everything now-a-days?
Looks like kids having fun and I honestly believe if one of the kids wasn’t a celebrity, this would have been overlooked.
@tri_girl - @undercoverfairy - @imahotmiho -
People, it’s not about the picture. It’s about the attitude people have inside them that don’t even realize that they have. God.. I don’t wanna write a frkn essay before I have to go to work, but it’ll be akin taking a picture with a black person, where all the white folks are holding a bucket of KFC and watermelon.
Let’s see it this way: his eyes are NOT actually shaped like that. The stereotype probably comes from Asians who actually DO have eyes shaped like that, and there are people like that. And those people happened to be Asian. By imitating the latter group to portray one Asian guy in the photo is grouping him with all the latter group just because of his skin color/heritage.
If you are white, you probably have no idea why it’s offensive. Yea, Asians can get along and be at east with the joke, because they don’t want to appear to be stuck ups.
@LyricallyCharged - you are right! now I just remembered, they did that during the Olympics.
It’s all kinda hard to explain, but i hope this episode of South Park will enlighten all you god damn ignorant hicks.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/102800
wow racist..
one of my good friends plan to have surgery to change the shape. its bad enough that they’re making fun of it. it’s like saying that it’s abnormal to have small eyes…
@jai_ko - your right, it’s racist. but I don’t think that she intended it to be because, you know she’s kinda clueless and all.
First, I think everyone is picking on Miley too much and watching her EVERY FREAKING MOVE. Personally, I don’t like her, but there are better things to do than stalk celebrities.
It kind of offends me, but that’s probably because I’m biased, since I’m asian myself. But it seems like they’re just having fun, I mean, if my friends were to do it to me, I wouldn’t take offense, because I know they don’t mean it as in a hating racist way.
i’m asian (but with larger eyes, i’m half persian) and even i’ve done that. it’s not offensive, it’s just other people being obsessive. who the heck cares what miley does?! we should be minding our own businesses.
maybe they’re having fun, but miley cyrus or not, i thought the picture
was offensive. i’m chinese, and i love the slight slant of my eyes.
i think anything like this, no matter what race its targeting, is
racist in that it demeans another race. i’m reading some comments and
someone says they can say things like “chink” and “gook” without
feeling racist. maybe it’s not with racist intentions, but those are
still racist terms that refer to the said ethnic group with an
insulting meaning. there may be a difference between “a cheery voice”
and a mean one… but when it boils down to the actual words, it’s
still offensive.
plus, that guy in the red shirt really bothers me. a lot of asians do
the peace sign thing, and they cover their mouths when they laugh. im
not saying that no one else can do a peace sign, but bunny ears+eyes?
too much for me. i’m not really angry about this picture, but i just
have an uncomfortable gut feeling about it… it doesnt make me laugh
or smile. then again, i was reading some more comments and they pointed
out that the asian guy is widening his eyes. so perhaps my ideas about
the picture are wrong too… the media should really clear up this
story and provide some actual details. i also read something that miley
cyrus refused to apologize, and i’m not sure whether she mentioned the
widening of the asian guy’s eyes.
and some comments say that people should get over themselves. some
people are slightly more sensitive about these things, and some people
care a little more about other issues, what’s wrong with taking a
problem with something? accept that people have different opinions…
just because you don’t really agree with what they feel doesn’t mean
they should “get over themselves” and shut up. furthermore, interest
groups can’t focus on every issue in the world… they have more of an
impact if they can focus on one interest…hence…interest groups.
They’re just kids…shut up, world. If they had a problem with asians, they wouldn’t have an Asian friend, right?
@huginn - Oh. Haven’t you heard? Arabs don’t get a voice because they’re all evil terrorists out to destroy the Christian church, which is, of course, the only church that matters, except for the Jews, who also matter because they’re in the Bible.
Edit: to clarify, I am using sarcasm. You have no doubt picked up on this, but there are others somewhat less gifted in the ways of detecting tone.
As an Asian, I’d say they’re just having fun. If not, I wouldn’t care either way.
@PoetMcChick - that’s a good point, thank you, but i think the facial exaggeration was still kind of extreme; they don’t have a problem with asians but making fun of asians still goes a long way
think it’s just having fun… lots of ppl know that asians have small eyes… and why would she do something racist? she has fans… and a rep.
P.S: making a point.. not a fan of Cyrus
@Yosho - I agree with you 100%. I welcome everyone to come to my Xanga and make fun of my slanted eyes and non english name (which rhymes with a million things)–I dare them.
I think it’s offensive simply because the guy doesn’t realize they’re doing it.
How would you like it when all of your friends make fun of your physical appearance in a photo? That’s kinda mean.
OMG–I’m going to say it and I don’t give a crap what people think–Dan:: I take back all I said about wanting a bigger audience. I wouldn’t want to be subscribed to by 90% of the commenters here–ignorant ignorant ignorant.
@jai_ko - I’m glad I’m not the only person burning with rage!
context is everything…
but it appears the asian guy is the only one who’s not in on the joke.
maybe some people’s eyes are just too slanted to see that…..
um, actually it looks like theyre “switching roles”. He is opening his eyes very wide while the others squint. So I think it’s silly to cause this much drama, it was obviously friends goofing off and there is no way any of them were being serious or offensive…
the isolated nation of north korea is suffering from a dictatorship government whose children are starving on the streets, stands are selling human flesh as “meat”, and citizens are not allowed out of the country. if they do, they have to “escape” and risk living in a place they know no one and no connections, getting caught, deportation, and detention camps. in philippines there are kids starving everyday due to corruption in government officials. no one can trust the other. human rights are being violated in china everyday, where they apparently execute more people than the rest of the world combined. where a quarter of a million people are held in detention camps.
and all people can think about is miley cyrus making fucking chinky eyes at a camera. wtf, man.
excuse the language. but this. this. is so… so. infuriating.
Kids having fun.
People like Miley just get crap for every little thing they do. The Asian guy is obviously her friend, and if she were so “racist” they wouldnt be friends. One of my best friends is Taiwanese and he wouldn’t care if we did a picture like this. People need to relax.
By the way, I think the “squinty” eyes are beautiful. If I could live again and be of any descent I wanted to, I would definitely be Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. I don’t find having small eyes to be weird or undesirable at all.
I want to know why this girl just can’t seem to keep herself out of trouble. We seem to see one controversial picture after another of her. I find it hard to believe that their Asian friend was totally unaware of what the others were doing. On one hand, you think to yourself that who cares if she did this, becauses it’s just a picture. On the other hand, you just get annoyed because it really kind of is fucked up, and it’s not like she didn’t know that it wouldn’t leak, like all her other pictures. What I want to know is, how come no one made a big deal of her sitting on her 20-year-old boyfriend’s lap? Shouldn’t that be a bigger crime? lol
I do this all the time, but then again.. I’m Asian. I just have big eyes.
It’s cool that ethnic groups want some sense of respect and dignity, but -____- Sweet Jesus.
they’re just having fun
people make such a huge deal out of race, we’re all people here!
They’re just having fun.
Just kids being kids and having fun! no harm done!
This is a tough one.
YES: I completely believe it was just a group of kids having fun.
BUT: I don’t think that that makes it right, and it doesn’t stop it from being racist…I seriously doubt that they meant offense, but it wasn’t exactly classy of them.
I bet the Asian kid knew…
I think that like Miley, they would openly say that they were just having fun. They may or may not have realized that what they were doing was possibly racially offensive. I personally would be offended if someone came up to me and did that. To answer the question, yes, they were just having fun, but in the process their actions were interpreted as racially offensive.
And nobody else notices that all of her “friends” are at least ten years older than her? =/
Spanish olympic team did the same thing and people thought it was racist. It’s ignorant, offensive, and cruel. If I got a flour powder and threw it on my face and pinched my nose with a clothing hanger, would that be considered offensive to white people? Why? I’m just having silly fun, right? It’s unpleasant and mean to make fun of one’s inherent unique features. I’m tired of ignorant racists who call racism “silly”, “fun” and harmless.