Me Spanish, Me Play Joke...

...me slant eyes like Chinese folk.
Spanish basketball team
That's basically the apology members of the Spanish Olympic Basketball team have issued to the Chinese people after mocking their eyes in a photograph that ran in a Spanish newspaper.

In a statement, Spain's Pau Gasol -- who's also a Laker in the NBA -- said, "It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way. I'm sorry if anybody took it the wrong way and thought it was offensive."

But wait -- it gets better. Another Spanish player, Jose Calderon -- who also plays for the Raptors -- wrote on his blog, "We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture." He added, "Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way." DUUUUHHHHH!!?!?!!?

Confucius say: It's not wise to make fun of those who are different from yourselves.

Lucky numbers: 10 15 21 26 28 43

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. WOW - grow the freak up.

Posted at 1:55PM on Aug 13th 2008 by aSiF

17. Stupid Spaniards. That whole bullfighting tradition sucks too.

Posted at 1:56PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Tyler Durden

18. ...me slant eyes like Chinese folk.

Yeah TMZ, once again adding fuel to the fire when in truth your outfit of photographing morons is no better. You guys are the real racist provokers!

Posted at 1:58PM on Aug 13th 2008 by MommyWhatsADoucheBag?

19. "Lucky numbers"... Funny TMZ!
How does that saying go/
Me Chinese, Me play joke...
Me go pee pee in your coke.

Posted at 2:01PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Tomuchofawhimptoleavename

20. Haha you all put lucky numbers, classic..... wittiest TMZ article ever

Posted at 2:00PM on Aug 13th 2008 by VTGoose

21. If you haven't seen this already, you apparently don't look at real news. That said, this was a hilarious post by TMZ. Love the lucky number, nice touch. The post was more offensive than the picture. LOVE IT.

Posted at 2:08PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Matt

22. When Ted Danson and recently Robert Downey Jr. (in the movie Tropic Thunder) painted their faces black because they thought it was humorous, they were criticized as being racist. I see the humor, and I personally don't think the slanted eyes gesture was offensive or racist, and I don't think when Danson and Downey painted their faces black that was racist either. But if people are going to make a big stink over Danson and Downey, then I think they should make a big stink about this too.

Posted at 2:02PM on Aug 13th 2008 by AznLA

23. This is for #8 and all the other ignorant people:
There is a big difference between Spanish and Mexican! (Different style of language, different culture, different country)

Posted at 2:03PM on Aug 13th 2008 by i

24. ...And, friggin Europeans call Americans ignorant. Sheesh!

Posted at 2:03PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Dragon

25. OH PULEEZE!!!!! Seriously people, grow some thicker skin! I understand there are poeple out there who are racist and do feel hatrad towards others, but seriously, by becoming upset with them and hating them back you further the hatred they feel as well as give them power! They are nothing with out your reactions. Plus, they look stupid and people don't care to have thier company. These guys were just messing around... seeing as how high profile some of the players are, you'd think if they meant it meanly they probably would not have done it, right?

Posted at 4:11PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Andrea

26. Its funny that after TMZ is calling out the Spanish Basketball team for being racist they go ahead and make a joke about Fortune cookies. Too funny. lol

Posted at 2:06PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Heavy-D

27. TMZ your headline isn't cool either. The spanish basketball team was wrong, but i'm sure their intention wasn't to make fun of Chinese people. are you guys seriously saying that you never made your eyes look like that as kids? and all of you guys who are making fun of spanish people in your comments aren't any better than the spanish basketball team. your comments just make you look like a bunch of hypocrits.

Posted at 2:10PM on Aug 13th 2008 by kelsey

28. to 15 with gratitude:

not all Spaniards are stupid, neither all of them like bullfighting

Posted at 2:06PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Spaniard

29. Confucius say: Man who move through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok.

Posted at 2:08PM on Aug 13th 2008 by The Observer

30. what else you expect from people from spain, the most racist people ever!!!

Posted at 2:07PM on Aug 13th 2008 by yoyo

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments