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| NAAAP National is shocked by Shaq |
| Posted By:
NAAAP-Houston |
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Thursday, January 16, 2003 |
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Valerie W. Cheung
January 16, 2003 (212) 679-3119
New York -- The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), finds the recent comments by Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille Oâ??Neal about Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets extremely troubling and offensive. Oâ??Nealâ??s repeated racist comments about Yao Ming have drawn the ire of Asian Pacific Americans all over the country.
During a recent interview on Fox Sports Radioâ??s Tony Bruno show, listeners heard Oâ??Neal mocking Yao by saying, "Tell Yao Ming, 'ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.' " In another incident on the â??Best Damn Sports Show Period,â? Oâ??Neal taunted Yao Ming again, using a fake Chinese accent accompanied by mock kung-fu moves. Oâ??Neal has since apologized, but insists that it is merely his brand of locker-room humor.
"Although Oâ??Neal issued an apology, he does not seem to recognize the full extent of the hurt and anger that he has caused in the Asian Pacific American community," said Vincent Yee, NAAAP National President. â??O'Neal, as an African American, has undoubtedly encountered racism both overt and subtle in his life, and we hope that he will continue to fight racism - not condone it.â?
Additionally, NAAAP hopes that Fox Sports Network, the Los Angeles Lakers and the National Basketball Association will address these incidents seriously and respond proactively to prevent any future occurrences.
"It is inappropriate to make fun of a person of Asian descent or any other ethnicity by mocking their language,â? continues Yee. â??Shaq is a role model for many people, especially todayâ??s youth, and he needs to understand that his behavior is unacceptable.â?
NAAAP is the largest and fastest growing Asian Pacific American professional organization with representation in over 25 cities across the continental U.S. and in Canada. Its mission is to develop Asian Pacific American leaders through professional development, cultural awareness and community service. More information about NAAAP can be found at www.naaap.org.
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