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Posted on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.

Are minority stereotypes fun in Ann Arbor?

By Guest Column

What do Chief Wahoo and Mongo Man have in common? They are both racial stereotypes of minority groups created by corporations in the name of “fun.”

Many of us are familiar with Chief Wahoo, the Native American caricature that has been the official mascot for the Cleveland Indians since 1951.

061412_dave_hsu.jpg

Dave Hsu

Mongo Man was created in the late 1990s by BD’s Mongolian Grill, an American restaurant chain with 12 locations in Michigan and headquartered in Royal Oak. Mongo Man is a caricatured Mongolian warrior, complete with a suit of armor, yellow skin, and a “Fu Manchu”-styled mustache.

I was in disbelief when I first encountered Mongo Man dancing around on the sidewalk in front of the Ann Arbor restaurant. As an Asian American, I was deeply saddened to see my heritage reduced to a cartoon character for the purpose of selling food.

When I emailed my concern to BD’s director of marketing, his response was that Mongo Man “has been a staple in our communities and is seen as a fun representation of our concept.” I believe that there is nothing fun about racial stereotypes. Several research studies have shown that exposure to racial stereotypes have harmful effects, even at the subconscious level, such as racial categorization and bias. I believe that BD’s needs to change their mascot.

Indeed, Chief Wahoo has drawn protest from Native American tribes, the NAACP, and is opposed by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the American Psychological Association. In fact, the American Psychological Association denounces Native American stereotypes “based on a growing body of social science literature that shows the harmful effects of racial stereotyping and inaccurate racial portrayals, including the particularly harmful effects of American Indian sports mascots on the social identity development and self-esteem.”

Furthermore, in 2010 Wisconsin passed a law eliminated race-based nicknames, logos and mascots in schools. Since then, Colorado and Minnesota have passed similar laws.

Is the depiction of Mongolians as ruthless warriors any different from the depiction of Native Americans as savages? Is the use of Mongo Man for selling food any more acceptable than Native American stereotypes in educational institutions?

According to their website, “Community” is a core value of BD’s Mongolian Grill. I believe that BD’s can be true to this core value and take the lead by reconsidering their campaign. It may take money and effort, but it is simply the right thing to do.

Dave Hsu is a resident of Ann Arbor.

Comments

Hinhanska

Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.

The fact that this image exists is a testament to the ignorance generated and tolerated in this society. Once it is acceptable, it becomes the established entity. Not all (if any) Mongolians look like that, just as not all American Indians (if any) resemble Chief Wahoo. Does the company represent Mongolians? Do they portray an accurate image for youth, or are they just another organization profiting from a culture and heritage? These are subtle ways to keep a group in check by creating the image for their identity. 'You are free to be this' is what I hear. Positive representations for education is the first step. Thank you for writing this.

Eric Pate

Mon, Jul 9, 2012 : 1 p.m.

Once again, people fail to communicate what is so offensive about him. By this argument, all cartoon characters and mascots are racist in nature and should be banned because they are exaggerated characterizations of people. NO, Mongo Man does not "portray an accurate image for youth" because he's NINE FEET TALL. If your child believes that all Mongolians look like a blow up doll, then you're failing as a parent. The only reason I'm so enamored with this subject is because, those that are agreeing with the author, fail to mention one thing that's racist about this thing. You paint with a very broad brush and neglect to address the true issue. Everybody agrees that Chief Wahoo is pretty racist...we can even name off specifics as to why (red skin, large nose, etc)....but what is SO racist about Mongo Man? Is it his height, his smile, his mustache? No? What, then?

Cold

Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:12 a.m.

I don't even see how people can leave their houses. I mean the constant cold fear that they may see or hear something that may hurt their feelings has to be the most impossibly important problem the human race has ever faced in the history of its existence!!! I mean it takes hours and hours to screw up the courage to open that door and peek out side ..when WAMM! you see a sign and loose all conciseness and fall limp onto the ground at the complete mercy of any kitten, sparrow or butterfly that comes along. The horror....I,m fainting now.....

Roger Kuhlman

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.

I have noticed there is a double standard in concerns about minority stereotypes in Ann Arbor. In this town it is perfectly okay to make cutting nasty remarks about one minority--white males. If it is wrong to make fun of other minorities, it is wrong to make fun of white males. If it is okay to make fun of other minorities, it is okay to make fun of white males. Double standards will just not do.

UlyssesWrong1

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 11:57 a.m.

Minorities have been getting stereotyped and ridiculed forever, and sadly, it still continues today, and probably always will. Why does it happen? Because we live in a world shaped around ideals of supremacy of one race and racial segregation influenced by the world's superpowers, ie. USA, UK, etc. as wrong as they are, of course. Are minority stereotypes fun? They probably are for the idiots who are doing harm to humanity and enjoying racism, but I wouldn't call them fun. We should leave these racial stereotype images alone because as bad as they are, they serve as the most raw examples of the state of diversity in the world. I think many will be able to understand this by seeing the progression from the past to the present, if they have any idea of history. But let's be real here, the average person isn't looking at any of this stuff critically, which is why it will always be glossed over and perpetuated forever.

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.

I think oversensitive is in play here. it only matters if people look at it and think, "Oh, so that's what Mongolian people look like." it doesn't happen. All mascots are exaggerated caricatures. We don't look at Sparty and Boilermaker Pete and think, "Oh, wow, I never knew Greeks and welders have giant heads. Well, you learn something new every day." We don't think everybody from Texas is like J. R. Ewing. It's not the same as somebody saying, "Those [whatever] people all smell funny," or, "Don't hire any of those [whatever] people. They're all lazy."

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.

Well, yeah, if you can even get beyond the fact that the whole restaurant has absolutely nothing to do with Mongolia or Mongolian food. Kind of reminds me of Gary Larsen (Far Side) describing his experience of getting letters from readers telling him that penguins and polar bears could not be on the fame ice floe because they live at opposite poles. His response was something along the lines of, "However, these scientific-minded readers had no objection to the fact the penguins were talking."

Dave

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.

I thank everyone for their thoughts on this article. It certainly made me think about a few things. No, I am not Mongolian, but I identify myself as being of the same race. Where I say "heritage" I probably should have said "race." As Mr. Pate pointed out, Mongo Man's skin may not be yellow. It appeared yellow from memory, and also from BD's website (http://www.gomongo.com/employment/company.php), however I may be mistaken. Nevertheless, I still believe that there is no need for BD's mascot. It is a representation of a minority group created by a majority group. This is what was the most troubling for me, because it says "this is what we think of Mongolians/Asians," and unfortunately there is no correct portrayal. If other mascots are created, for example for an Ethiopian or Middle Eastern restaurant, I would feel the same way, although obviously it would not feel as personal to me. Everyone is not going to feel the way I do, but I've been discriminated against based on my race and so yes, I can sometimes be overly sensitive.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.

Actually, Jay, there is a lot of nastiness towards blondes, and it usually is Swedish blondes. They are all stupid. This is in the line of Dumb Polishperson, Dumb Dutchman, Dumb Africanheritageperson, yes, Dumb Swede, depending upon where the "humor" exists. These things can be hysterically funny, but they also can make people feel bad. In the Black communities, Whitey gets slammed. I just get kind of sick of it all. stereotypes may seem humorous or minor, but why can't we move on. It's cheap jokes, if jokes thay are. Enough, I cry...enough!

bunnyabbot

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.

"Everyone is not going to feel the way I do, but I've been discriminated against based on my race and so yes, I can sometimes be overly sensitive." I've been discriminated against for being female, a group that has been subjected to more discrimination to here in the US and worldwide than an Asian man ever will know, the Chinese for example discriminated agains females all the time, even before they are born, aborting millions of female girls. Go fight that discrimination first before you get upset by some stupid mascot.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

I think it would be more offensive than the Mongo Man, that Benny Hanas serve drinks in Buddah shaped mugs, I mean, who would want to drink through a straw stuck in the back of Buddah? Why are Buddists not offended by this? Why are not Catholics offended by Pope soap on a rope? I mean thats weird in many ways not even including boys in the shower washing with it.

Jay Thomas

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.

According to liberal professors in our universities there is no such thing as race. I wasn't sure if you knew that. I'm still waiting for Spaniards to get upset on behalf of slurs against Russians and Greeks to demand that the stereotyping of Scandinavian people end (which can be quite terrible).

Sue W

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.

Oops - got cut off... I had written: Don't try to hide behind your generalization what the author is saying. (like now we can't adv ethnic food anywhere). Be mindful of what you put out there and consider the feedback.

bedrog

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.

eric...you are of course historically right ( see mine above to 'sue')... .I taught central asian history , among other related things, for over 3 decades, and to equate the chinese and mongols ,as sue does ,renders moot the efforts of countless chinese emperors to keep pastoral nomad mongol raiders and conquerers ( and protomongols like the hsiung nu) out of china. Their earnest, if sometimes futile , desire to do so resulted in the centuries long building of the frontier wall that collectively became the "great'wall. even when mongols breached the wall and became rulers in china itself , as under kublai khan, genghis' grandson, they kept themselves lineally distinct from their han chinese subjects.

Eric Pate

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.

Sue, so you're Mongolian? I'm assuming you are if a characterization of a Mongolian warrior offends you. Asian-American and "Chinamen" (your word, not mine) are NOT Mongolian. Is your argument that a certain style of mustache makes it racist? If so, then Charlie Chaplin must be a huge Hitler fan. Everybody here has heard what David has to say and the one resounding question that remains unanswered is this - what actually about him offends you??? Nobody can answer that without going into gross generizations and saying that everybody else is close-minded. I would argue that every person that has posted on this can agree that racial stereotypes are harmful and, if we could, we would immediately eliminate them. BUT...nobody can explain what makes this thing offensive other than simply saying it's offensive...which leads everybody to make the "overly-sensitive" comments. If you want to be offended, have at it. But if people want to publish opinions as to offensive things, they best be prepared to EXPLAIN why something is offensive as opposed to simply shouting generalizations from a soap box.

Sue W

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.

For those who wonder why something "innocent" like an ethnic character or representation "always" feel "racist" to a member of a minority group or People of Color: Consider that your default mindset is only everything YOU know and grow up with. People of OTHER backgrounds have to learn about the Majority culture and would like to have some dignity holding their own identity as well. Have an open mind and hear what others have to say and why. As an Asian-American, I viscerally react to the idea of the Mongol Man. The food sounds intriguing, but my ancestry is now exotic, FuManchu-fied (evil, conniving Chink)," entertaining," and a mascot for white people who pretend to sell real Mongolian cuisine. Yeah, it feels offensive and mocking. Racism is not just skin deep. It represents years of SYSTEMATIC oppression (meaning, stepping on others and take their resources; a superiority) over other races and colors through political and economic means. I'd imagine that when you see Mongo Man you see "the Other", the inferior Chinaman. Yes, I want him to SERVE me exotic food! It is to slap in the face to call it "fun" and "entertaining." I understand from the author that BD's response to him included that the Mongo Man has been around for over 10 years and it's never been a problem. Well, someone is telling them that it IS now. The world has progressed, we as humans have evolved -or trying to - to stay connected and understanding of one another. Slavery "worked" for a long time until it got abolished; women didn't get to vote for years; child labor used to be legal. So if business and people who aren't open to understand and treat each other well, as I am seeing here in the comments, calling the author too sensitive, that's what BULLIES do = justifying not doing the right thing and want approval for it. This is more than an Italian-looking man serving pizza, people. Don't try to hide behind yo

bedrog

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.

reply to my reply to "sue" ( and my several other replies elsewhere on this thread) in the unlikely event anyone is still reading this : I've just suggested that jews are among the more tolerant than most of witty , non malicious digs at themselves ,from both from themselves and others; yet i've also alluded to local synagogue harassers in unflattering terms. There's no contradiction in these points, since the latter ARE both malicious and ethnic violence- advocating , per the following website that details their antics and has links to their own words and goals: http://www.hvcn.org/info/feh/ 'mongoman' pales in comparison on the seriousness scale...and those who have been offended by him would do well to look at their priorities locally..

Dcam

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.

Prejudice is universal, in fact, here's an example from the Highland Clearances - which is probably why the US is blessed (heh, heh) with my presence as apposed to Scotland. "The Duchess of Sutherland, on seeing the starving tenants on her husband's estate, remarked in a letter to a friend in England, "Scotch people are of happier constitution and do not fatten like the larger breed of animals."" The Duchess and her fellow landlords forced the people off the land to make room for their sheep and other cash cows, as it were. 1000s a day died, but they were Scots so it meant nothing. However, that's ancient history - but the jokes still continue and they don't bother me a bit. My wife calls me a Scot barbarian - except I'm not a Scot; I'm an American, a Yankee.

bedrog

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.

"mongo man" is a mongol...not chinese ( and any knowledge of history...esp . including why the "great wall' was built'...would indicate that YOUR post is an example of stereotyping that would be regarded as insulting by both Mongols and chinese. and re 'otherness": Jews, who have experienced more ills at the hand of others than any other group in history, generally are the most self -mocking and tolerant enough to tolerate such in others in others when its done with a degree of wit and is clearly not intended as a prelude to a pogrom. LIGHTEN UP!!

Dcam

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.

As a Scot, I'm offended when I see grizzled Scots satirized in full regalia watching moths fly around their sporrans, implying penny pinching. But, hey, I don't want to spend money for a stamp to send a protest letter, so, I let it pass.

YpsiVeteran

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.

Isn't there a difference between a caricature and a stereotype, and aren't the mascots and advertising logos being discussed caricatures, which by definition are gross exaggerations? Webster defines a caricature as "exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics". I guess I could see the author's point if the mascots/logos etc. were intended to be accurate representations of some group or individual. As it is, these seems to me like complaining that Foghorn Leghorn doesn't accurately represent roosters. We're talking about cartoon characters here.

rusty shackelford

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.

Why do white people always act as if racism and racial stereotypes exist in some ahistorical vacuum? The reason stereotypes regarding racial minorities are more offensive than those regarding southern whites or whites generally is that the former have undergone centuries of oppression and discrimination in this country that continues to this day while the latter control every aspect of society, and always have. Is that distinction really that hard to see, short of intentional blindness?

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

EyeHeart is right. They would show show up at the gate of your city and tell you to submit or die. If you resisted, your city and everything and everybody in it was burned to the ground. They did this all the way to Europe. They have spent as much time as the oppressors ad they oppressed.

EyeHeartA2

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.

"former have undergone centuries of oppression " The Mongolians were the oppressors - so, logic fail.

UlyssesWrong1

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : noon

LOL rusty shackelford you have some of the most true comments.

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:09 a.m.

"Why do white people always..." Nice stereotype, by the way.

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:08 a.m.

No, that distinction isn't really that hard to see. It's also not hard to see that the people of the United States of America - including fat white guys - are the most welcoming people on the face of the planet. We are able to maintain perspective. The fact that some of us aren't riddled with guilt over what somebody else did to another somebody else and therefore was completely out of our control as well as something we don't condone, doesn't indicate we don't understand the situation. By the way, white guilt was erased in 2008, remember?

Davidian

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.

There are plenty of white guilt race baiters out there, so I wouln't say "always"

Peter

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.

Short answer: privilege.

Davidian

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.

The author is "deeply saddened" by Mongo Man's portrayal of his heritage. I'm deeply saddened that Americans have become so outrageously sensitive about every little thing. If I ever run into David Hsu, I'll be sure to take off my socks so I don't break the eggshells.

Woman in Ypsilanti

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.

You know. I eat at BDs now and then. I have to admit that I have never, before now, thought about their mascot. But I can see Hsu's point. I urge BD's to get another mascot and I'm eating lunch elsewhere until they do.

Robert Hughes

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:22 a.m.

The people who feel that Mr. Hsu has nothing to complain about ought to be ashamed of themselves. You have no idea what it means to be in his shoes; he has stated his discontent with the matter, the mascot of BD. I doubt that many of you would say your comments to his face. You are mostly cowards, hiding behind pseudonyms that give no clue as to your identity. Those of you who would, or say you would, say these comments to him directly; try to take a deeper look at what racism means. You might be surprised to realize that the whole community benefits when stereotypes are challenged, lessened and changed. When we see people as people and not caricatures.

Davidian

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.

Mr. Hsu can complain all he wants. I simply disagree, and I have that right.

Eric Pate

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.

@bedgrog - you're not actually suggesting that Robert CONFRONT these people in AA, are you? Like he said, it's much easier to hide behind a computer and complain about a blow up mascot for a restaurant. If people focused on REAL issues as opposed to incredibly trivial issues like this, the world would be a much better place.

bedrog

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.

@robert: anonymous posters ( which is allowed -- and quite usual ---by A2.com and most other sires) are 'mostly cowards" umm...a little stereotypical, wouldn't you say?? lighten up!!...and see my earlier response to ron granger about a REAL case of local defamatory stereotyping, involving systematic synagogue harassment. Where has your rectitude you been in that case ??

Peter

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.

Here's a picture from the 40's Eric, it must be even LESS racist right? http://www.who-sucks.com/wp-content/uploads/icons//2007/07/jap1.jpg

Eric Pate

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.

My problem with the argument is that he's saddened that "his heritage was reduced to a cartoon character." #1 - he's not Mongolian. Proximity to a country or a race of people does not make it your own. By his argument, I should be offended by South Park's characterization of Canadians....I mean, they kinda look like me and I live near there. #2 - EVERY cartoon is a caricature of something....therefore, every cartoon should be considered racist and offensive by somebody. I'm all for challenging negative stereotypes, but there's nothing in this article that argues how this Mongo Man is demeaning, degrading or offensive. Go ahead and be offended by something - it's your right...but if you're going to publish your viewpoints, at least give some arguments as to WHY you find it offensive. I would agree that Chief Wahoo should go...but Cleveland should continue to be proud to use the name "Indians". As David said, Mongo Man has been around since the late 90's...and only NOW is it deemed offensive? Kind of tells you how gentle and overly-sensitive our society is becoming.

EyeHeartA2

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1 a.m.

Well, I'm a redneck, come from a long line of rednecks and Yosemite Sam make fun of my heritage. Who do I complain to? Helen Waite?

A2James

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.

Here's an interesting link of a toothpaste product sold and marketed in China. Imagine the uproar if THIS was sold here...this makes "Mongo Man" look positively tame by comparison. http://www.thechinaexpat.com/why-is-this-still-called-black-people-toothpaste-in-chinese/

Jay Thomas

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.

So a chain restaurant and an out of state baseball team have a mascot that you find offensive and you want us to be offended with you. Otherwise Ann Arbor is just yucking it up at the expense of minorities? Since when does everyone have the right not to be offended? I blame the universities for indoctrinating now two generations of immigrants and native born into thinking this way. BTW: SEC FAN is right. The only idiots you see in television advertising these days are white males because anything else would be bigotry. We might as well shut down all the cracker barrel restaurants as well because after decades of being in business you can't really fix that name.

bedrog

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.

correction and addition to my comment to ron granger re Jeff Dunham and achmed ( not akbar as i said) the dead terrorist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go

Ron Granger

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.

If a business needs a huckster in a suit out front to bark patrons inside, it probably has other issues. It is sad that BD's business model requires that they fixate on racial and ethnic stereotypes to sell their product. And they actually defend using a caricature jumping up and down outside?

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.

"A caricature of Genghis Khan---one of the most successful mass murderers in history" Granted, though he was also a darn fine warrior and military mind.

bedrog

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.

ron...can i trust your highmindedness to lead you to counterprotest on the sidewalk in front of the synagogue on Washtenaw avenue where a REAL real -world act of antisemitic bigotry is played out every week ( for the past 9 years) by a group of rabid antisemites?? ( with scant protest from the good folks of a2, like you, who seem to get more upset with quite trivial and mild genghis mocking at a crappy restaurant ??)

Ron Granger

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.

"( e.g to trivialize, mock and de-mystify them, as charlie chaplin did to Hitler in " The great dictator" , as sascha baron cohen is doing in the "the dictator" and as ventriloquist---jeff something-- does with his hystyerical dummy of " akbar the dead terrorist". ." Do you not see the difference? This is real life, not a make-believe play.

bedrog

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.

A caricature of Genghis Khan---one of the most successful mass murderers in history ( and the national hero of mongolia, whose folks nowadays are fairly amiable) is not the worst way to treat such people ( e.g to trivialize, mock and de-mystify them, as charlie chaplin did to Hitler in " The great dictator" , as sascha baron cohen is doing in the "the dictator" and as ventriloquist---jeff something-- does with his hystyerical dummy of " akbar the dead terrorist". .

SMC

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.

I'm a little confused about the intent of this letter. Is it a call to the city of Ann Arbor to pass a law banning racial stereotypes when used by businesses? Hate to break it to you, but they can't, because it's illegal. We may joke that this town is like its own little country, complete with city council resolutions objecting to various wars, and traffic laws that don't make sense, but the bubble is only so thick. If the author wishes to rid the town of racially insensitive depictions, he should petition the federal government, as is his right as an American. Alternatively, he can boycott the offending business, and encourage others to do so, via print or electronic media. Freedom of speech is for everyone, after all.

Peter

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:35 a.m.

And to be blunt again, Mr. Hsu's freedom from abridgment of speech by the government has no bearing on this publication.

Linda Peck

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.

I think the Mr. Hsu is exercising his freedom of speech by writing and publishing this article. It is an opinion article.

John Hritz

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.

First, its probably too much to ask that brand management has some basis in reality. Any ethnography these guys do is aimed at selling product. The problem I've had with these calls to end the use of one mascot or another is that they skip the step where people understand how to venerate a person or people based on understanding their heritage. If the use of Mongo Man was the only problem with the mythology around this cooking style and its origin story, we'd have a basis for a change. Similarly, having a team called the Eastern Michigan University Hurons (now the Eagles) would be fine if it respected the traditions of the tribe. The call is always to change the name rather than develop a deeper understanding of the culture you are supposedly trying to honor.

John Hritz

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.

I agree with you in principle @Peter, the documentary "Reel Injun" is an illustration of how culturally deaf a group of capitalists can be. http://www.reelinjunthemovie.com/site/ ...but honest attempts ought to count for something. Some sports teams, like the Florida State Seminoles, have a close relationship with their namesake tribes. With open dialog, ignorance can be fixed. "But you can't", to slightly correct Ron White, "fix stupid and proud of it."

Peter

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:34 a.m.

To be blunt, us white people don't get to decide if us white people are "respecting the tradition of the tribe."

eyesofjustice

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.

If there was a soul food establishment in Ann Arbor........what it be ok to use the N word? Annarbor.com @ its best reporting, this story should not even of been published!

Kyle Mattson

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.

This posting is a community submitted opinion column by Ann Arbor resident Dave Hsu who is not a member of the AnnArbor.com staff. If interested in submitting a posting or formal letter to the editor please send an email to: letters@annarbor.com

drut_ferguson

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.

The best solution would be for everyone to stop going to that god-awful restaurant.

Top Cat

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.

The Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo is over the top and should go.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.

I agree, Cat. Do any of you really think that is a fair image of an "Indian?" Blazing red fact with an idiotic grin? I'm insulted by it, and I'm not even Indian. Oh, wait...I AM Indian. No wonder it get's my blood boiling. So to speak.

redwingshero

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.

Here come the PC police to ruin everyone's buzz.....

braggslaw

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.

I am also similarly offended... Especially by the Leprechaun at the Irish pub downtown... completely disrespectful, Irish everywhere should be outraged. The Spartan warriors at the parthenon depict all Greeks as blood-thirsty savages. It is awful We have to stop this madness..

bunnyabbot

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.

@braggslaw, as a whitey I find it refreshing to here a non-white refer to themself as a hillbilly, the stereotype is that hillbillies are white. (which could offend me if I cared to be offended by it) I recently heard a forty something black woman from Texas refer to herself proudly as a redneck, usually people think of rednecks as being white

braggslaw

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.

People get beat up for plenty of reasons and there are laws to handle violence. I get so tired of people trying to tell other people how to feel and what to do... usually this leads to a backlash of sorts. If you don't like the restaurant don't go there. by the way I am a non-white hillbilly.

Robert Northrup

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.

There was a time way back when Irish were not considered "white". But I can't recall in the last 40 years hearing about people getting beat up, killed, or discriminated against in the US for being Irish or Greek. No one is going to be inspired to attack a coney island restaurant because they got too excited watching Sparty jump around. We could talk about whether short people are offended by leprechaun caricatures, but first we'd have to think about short people and whether they have feelings, and that's a drag.

Peter

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.

Oh look, a polite and well-reasoned call to look more closely at accepted stereotypes that may be harmful to the community. Let us white people remind the minorities that WE get to decide if they should be offended or not! Who do they think they are, people?

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.

Also spent some time stereotyping police officers.

bedrog

Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.

"peter " seemed to have no trouble defending the synagogue harassing 'stereotypers" ( to be ridiculously euphemistic !!) elsewhere on this site recently...

Eric Pate

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.

I'm all for ceasing stereotypes - especially disrespectful and degrading ones. Just don't think this Mongo Man argument holds any water.

towncryer

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.

Lighten up Francis.

Terry Star21

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.

I don't mind this fun and all the looks I get as a minority, whenever I frequent the local gas station, small grocery stores and many restaurants. People can stare at me and act like I don't belong in this country and it's all good. I've gotten used to being an American born white male, a mostly minority in the last decade or so around Ann Arbor.

smokeblwr

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.

Are you the only white guy who still doesn't send his butler to fill up the BMW?

smokeblwr

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.

The only thing BD's has to apologize for is an awful dining experience catering to overweight white guys.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.

I don't dine there, but I am offended by the smell wafting many blocks from it

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.

OK, smokeblwr, now you're attacking overweight white guys, and as the speaker for all overweight white guys, and I'm going to have to report you for hate speech.

Ricardo Queso

Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.

BD's is an Ann Arbor acceptable version of Old Country Buffet.

Ross

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.

For real. They really bring main street down a notch.

Eric Pate

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.

Just saw Mongo Man the other day. I shook his hand and gave him a hug. He most certainly does NOT have yellow skin (liar...) but does have bright big eyes and a wonderful smile. Really don't think he's depicted as a ruthless warrior. David also says that he's Asian.....but not Mongolian? So, David is now picking up the flag for all Mongolians? If David did homework, he would know that Mongolians are more Russian than Asian. Total non issue. Let me know when some Mongolians are upset by it. This is like a Canadian telling people in the U.S. to be mad about something.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.

East of the Urals is pretty much Asia, no? Seems like Asia does include a lot of Russia. Vladivostok is in Europe?

SEC Fan

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.

I think Genghis Khan was certainly more Asian than Russian...

A2James

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.

No...Ann Arbor's idea of "fun" (at least the overly sensitive highly educated/low common sense types with ultra-liberal guilt) is complaining about everything and anything, including perceived prejudices. I fail to see the big deal. I'm not going to sue every cracker company because the name cracker is racist to white people...lol

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.

"low common sense types with ultra-liberal guilt" ""I fail to see the big deal." Bingo." Bingo.

Robert Northrup

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.

"I fail to see the big deal." Bingo.

joeing

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.

As a short, middle aged white guy with thinning hair and a beard, I would like to protest the use of Paul Giamatti in movies. He perpetuates the stereotype that we are all nervous antagonists who talk too fast.

towncryer

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.

I really liked your stereotype in 'Win Win'

Atticus F.

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.

I see Mongo Man as a caricature of a historical figure. And I think anybody who sees it as anything else, is way overly sensative, and probably just looking for something to be offended by. Maybe I should be offended by the Stovetop Stuffing comercials, because as I see it, the image of a pilgrim is an offensive stereotype.

bedrog

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.

refreshing and unexpected.

SEC Fan

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.

Not to be picky (but I will be), but the statement "They are both racial stereotypes of minority groups" is not accurate. The two caricatures "depict" racial stereotypes. But since they are offensive, we should eliminate them. While we're at it, I would like to have the following corporate mascots eliminated: - KFC - as a southerner, I am deeply offended by this depiction. - Big Boy, - Taco Bell - Chef Boyardee - dude from Enzyte And while we're at it, I would like some laws against those commercials that depict men as stupid.

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:35 a.m.

Actually, to be fair to KFC and Chef Boyardee, those characterizes are depictions of the founders of each company, created by the men themselves.

SEC Fan

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.

guess someone else finds suspenders offensive...

towncryer

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.

How do 80s Mork rainbow suspenders violate the conversation guidelines???

SEC Fan

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.

@towncryer. The suspenders...

towncryer

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.

Just curious what part of Big Boy offends you, his hair?

Terry Star21

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.

Okay that was pretty good, away from football I'll bet you can be a pretty good sport......

bedrog

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.

I flashed on the ONION headline: " Some Asians resist stereotypes: Are lazy and stupid"

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.

bedrog ftw!

smokeblwr

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.

I LOL'd!

Linda Peck

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.

I agree that it is degrading to make a joke about heredity and cultural source. It is insensitive and is not good for children to see this as they are growing up and making evaluations of where they stand in the world. It is an indication of the crude quality of our USA culture that is reflected in so many places and so many ways.

jeff4179

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.

I agree with Cory that at some point we are being too sensitive. Though my comment does not mean I am stopping my thirty-one year letter writing campaign to Nintendo to retire Mario because it insults my Italian heritage.

Unusual Suspect

Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.

Mario has been around for 31 years? Thanks, now I feel old.

Atticus F.

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.

Hmm, I think the point is that we all have the right to take offence to what another person says. You also have the right to be overly sensative. But at the same time, if you are easily offended, thats your problem. Don't expect everybody to share your sentiment.

Hmm

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.

" at some point we are being too sensitive. " Thankfully the rest of us don't rely on your judgement to tell us when we've reached that point.

Cory

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

So, should we also get rid of any pizza place with an Italian looking man serving pizza? Or how about any pet stores that only have a dog on their sign? Or perhaps Green Giant should use a different mascot other than their Giant Green man, as it may be offensive to giant green men? There comes a point where you have to just say "Really? Is this honestly an issue?" On the other hand, I do get offended every time Snookie is in the media. She's (somewhat) Caucasian, and therefore represents us all, right?

Robert Northrup

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.

There are Italian-American groups that consistently protest against mob movies that they feel portray them stereotypically. But it's a bad comparison when you think of the status of Italian-americans compared with Asian-Americans. Most Italians wouldn't mind a cartoony pizza chef because they don't get denied jobs or housing or experience other discrimination anywhere near the amounts that Asian-Americans or some "non-white" minorities do. For example, I don't remember any Italians getting beaten to death by desperate white auto-workers in Detroit in recent decades.

Eric Pate

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.

VERY easy to dismiss a problem when it doesn't affect you. But I'm still at a loss at where the problem is here. He gives no compelling arguments at to why Mongo Man is offensive, other than saying that the Cleveland Indians mascot is considered offensive.

Hmm

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 8 p.m.

It's easy to dismiss a problem when it's not you that's affected by it. You have no clue what it's like to live in America as a minority person so why are you talking about what is and isn't an issue for minority people? If you have a problem with Snookie or any other stereotype you are completely free to write A2.com an editorial like Mr. Hsu just did.

smokeblwr

Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.

Snookie is from South America.