 |
| JJ Ridick is in hot water over the "alleged" use of a racial slur against Chinese. |
A VIDEO of NBA players wishing fans in China a Happy New Year has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The "Year of the Dog" greeting has instead, gone to the dogs.
Instead of promoting good will on the eve of the NBA's All-Star game, the video has turned into a PR disaster because of JJ Redick's use of a racial slur referring to the Chinese. Put this story into your "What? Really?" file of ignorant incidents of racism.
The 76ers shooting guard was originally included in a video produced by Chinese media company Tencent in which NBA players and coaches wish China a happy new year. Two versions of the compilation appear to exist, one in which Redick has been edited out, the other going viral on YouTube as the former Duke star appears to say, “I just wanted to wish all the NBA c—k fans in China a very happy Chinese new year.”
Redick responded to the outrage on Twitter, saying he is “disappointed” anyone would think he could use that word yet not outright denying he used that word.
“Just saw a video that is being circulated of me wishing a happy new year to NBA fans in China.Clearly I was tongue tied, as the word I purportedly said is not in my vocabulary,” he wrote Sunday. “I’m disappointed that anyone would think I would use that word. I love & respect our friends in China.”
J.J. Redick is neither apologizing for nor quite explaining a video that appears to feature his using a slur against Chinese people.
That's not quite a denial.
Since the controversy began, Tencent removed the video featuring Redick — instead uploading an almost identical version without the Sixers player.
Watch and listen to the video before Redick was edited out. Do you hear what I hear?
The NBA has launched a pretty aggressive PR campaign to gain Chinese fans because the country is so basketball crazy even before Chinese center Yao Ming joined the Houston Rockets in the 1990s. The now-retired Ming is still looked upon as a folk hero, with his image on billboards and TV commercials all over the country.
It is a sure bet that Ridick won't be invited to China anytime soon. Social media was quick to respond to the video.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
The NBA has launched a pretty aggressive PR campaign to gain Chinese fans because the country is so basketball crazy even before Chinese center Yao Ming joined the Houston Rockets in the 1990s. The now-retired Ming is still looked upon as a folk hero, with his image on billboards and TV commercials all over the country.
RELATED:Some teams, such as the Golden State Warriors, have been going after Asian fans for years, sending over popular players every summer. The Warriors and Rockets are among the top NBA favorite teams followed by Chinese fans.
It is a sure bet that Ridick won't be invited to China anytime soon. Social media was quick to respond to the video.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment