Rosie O'Donnell apologizes and Hiro worship

Harry Mok
December 14, 2006

She says she asked "Judy in the makeup department, who is Asian, if it is offensive."

Anyway, see for yourself.

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Contributor: 

Harry Mok

Editor in chief

Editor in Chief Harry Mok wrote about growing up on a Chinese vegetable farm for the second issue of Hyphen and has been a volunteer editor since 2004. As a board member of the San Francisco and New York chapters of the Asian American Journalists Association, Harry has recruited and organized events for student members. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was also a graduate student instructor in the Asian American Studies Department.

Comments

Comments

anna wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 2:58pm
Hmmph. So Rosie finds the closest Asian to her -- Judy in makeup -- and asks her if she finds the joke offensive. Then she's shocked -- shocked! -- to find out that people like Judy used to be teased with ching chong as kids.Note how they point out the two Asian women in the audience nodding in agreement. They're basically saying, hey, these ladies think it's funny. You should still lighten up. Apparently two Asian women represent all Asians everywhere.
Anonymous wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 5:08pm
What a hollow apology. She just "apologized" to appease ABC, not because she said something offensive.
RELAX wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 6:02pm
doesnt matter, no fears the asian community, or take the asian communty serious. Its a shame
JR wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 7:06pm
What a freaking joke! No sincerity whatsoever. It is pathetic to me that an individual in her position is so ignorant and inconsiderate. I am sick of the old "I didn't know" excuse. That is something children say. As an adult, let alone a “celebrity”, you have to take more responsibility. You should take ownership of your ignorance and try and improve on it. That is true maturity.It is sad that some Asian Americans are so insecure that they mock their own culture.One more thing, maybe Asian Americans are not as vocal as other minorities but our leaders and citizens do complain and protest. We stand up for ourselves and take pride in ourselves. We as a collective do demand respect. I am sick of that model minority stereotype. We do resist, we are vocal, we do speak out, and we do march and petition. Those efforts have lead to action and change. Just because the media does not advertise our assertiveness does not mean it does not exist. Sure, there is room for improvement but you can say that about anything. Our consciousness and confidence starts with sources just like Hyphen so props to magazine and the website!Remember, talk is cheap! Back your beliefs and criticism with action. Stop complaining and do something to improve our community. Anyone uninvolved or uncommitted can sit on the sidelines and complain…
blah wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 8:54pm
The problem is that in the media, racist comments happen. When the media condemns one racist comment towards one group X, but is apathetic towards another Y, it gives the signal that Y is unimportant -- or less human, or less valid.And thus, Y should and must fight for social recognition, or else it encourages cultural marginalization.recent instances:Mel Gibson's drunken tiradeMichael Richards (Kramer) non-drunken comedic, racist rantRosie O'Donnell publically offended seemingly anti-gay comment by Kelly Ripa's about Clay AikenRosie O'Donnell making "ching-chong" mockery and claiming to not know that it was offensive to East Asians
angryattheworld wrote on Fri, 12/15/2006 - 3:19am
Fuck The View's asshole audience. Their kids are going to grow up to be racists, because their parents are pricks.
RELAX wrote on Fri, 12/15/2006 - 7:30am
JR:How right you are.
tim wrote on Sun, 12/17/2006 - 2:18pm
Yes, I really do think she should make a better apology. It's almost like she isn't sorry, but her publicist told her she needed to "make an effort."
liz wrote on Sun, 12/17/2006 - 3:29pm
the real irony for me is that a few weeks ago, Rosie was on the offensive, yelling at Kelly Ripa (and outing Clay Aiken at the same time) for making an allegedly homophobic statement, where Kelly Ripa's reaction happened to be, "WTF?". Now the table's turned and Rosie halfheartedly apologizes, but also notes that she might do it again. Would she have been so kind to Kelly R if Kelly made that same sort of caveat?? It just seems hypocritical, but what sort of an uproar can we create about it? Seems like the media has already put this to rest.
Anonymous wrote on Wed, 12/20/2006 - 10:36am
If we turned the tables on Rosie, I don't think people would appreciate it if they made fun of her weight.
Anonymous wrote on Sat, 12/23/2006 - 12:30am
Donald trump did and called her ugly
Bobby wrote on Sat, 12/23/2006 - 9:47am
The Rosie O'Donnell Ching Chong Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywgxa5ORyIU