Why as an Asian I have no problem with Rooney's character
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jamesc-helgrim — 11 years ago(November 24, 2014 10:39 PM)
"Very offensive to just about anyone today"? Really? As hard as I try, I can't bring myself to be offended by it, and I think as a young white person I'm pretty typical in this regard. I understand, of course, that it could be very offensive for people of Asian decent, but I don't understand why it should offend anyone else. Maybe I'm stupid. Maybe not.
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sd619rules — 11 years ago(November 24, 2014 10:45 PM)
"Very offensive to just about anyone today"? Really? As hard as I try, I can't bring myself to be offended by it, and I think as a young white person I'm pretty typical in this regard.
You may
think
that, but you really are not typical if you think it is not offensive, you would be what
most
people- not everyone- today consider an outlier. -
jamesc-helgrim — 11 years ago(February 10, 2015 11:51 PM)
I think you misunderstood me. If something's offensive toward a group I'm not part of then I'm not offended by it. I think that's normal. What I'm not saying is that it's not an offensive character, because it pretty clearly is. What I am saying is that there's a huge difference between "very offensive to just about anyone" and "very offensive".
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sd619rules — 11 years ago(February 11, 2015 12:04 AM)
Maybe I did misunderstand your position.
But for me, if someone were to use racial or ethnic slurs, stereotypes or epithets for any group, not just my race, gender or ethnicity, I find it offensive.
Like King said, an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywherepeople should stand up and say that certain behavior will not be accepted n a civilized society, no matter who the offensive conduct is aimed at. -
ExaltedOne — 10 years ago(October 31, 2015 10:27 PM)
That might be the problem right here: the fact you've been conditioned to consider the act of
making fun of someone
an "injustice".
People have been ridiculed for stuff, both individuals and groups, ever since the mankind began. Making fun of the Japanese is likely no worse and no less common than making fun of gingers, or people who talk funny, or people with weird names, or homosexuals, or pretty much anybody else. It's been perfectly normal when I was growing up, and I'm definitely quite a bit younger than Breakfast at Tiffany's. Maybe, recent generations are simply more touchy than we used to be (softies!
). But honestly, I think it is silly. If we spend our life constantly being afraid of insulting somebody, we end up doing nothing at all.
The worst thing about today: When reprimanded by some self-appointed morality protector over some perceived "transgression", people these days actually apologize, even though the only proper response would be "Mind your own business, beep you very much!"
Case in point: Matt Taylor and his shirt. To this very day, I just don't understand why he didn't simply tell the worthless b*** to shut up and beep off. -
sd619rules — 10 years ago(November 01, 2015 06:42 AM)
Offensive speech is offensive, and it is not
making fun of someone
, it is judging them on race, ethnicity, gender or some other non-material factor and shows the sign of a weak person and shallow mind.
Thanks for playing Champ. -
morganseer — 9 years ago(December 30, 2016 01:44 PM)
people should stand up and say that certain behavior will not be accepted n a civilized society, no matter who the offensive conduct is aimed at.
Really? You're gonna get riled up that a movie made in 1961 isn't politically correct? Who're you going to stand up to? They're all dead.
While you're out there bravely battling (and defending) the dead, I'll be over here giving a hand to the living.
BBL -
sd619rules — 9 years ago(December 30, 2016 02:04 PM)
The Rooney character is extremely racist and offensive, it would never be tolerated today but in 1961 it was a different time and era; and we learn from our past mistakes (or the smart ones among us do). It is best to note the issue, validate the offensivenss of it, and make sure it does not happen again. Anything else is just a person today being a Social Justice Warrior/Drama Queen. The use of racial slurs just in this thread proves how sensative an issue this is, and how some people never learn and are not above the Rooney character from 196155 years ago.
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The_Mean_Reds — 16 years ago(February 26, 2010 02:06 PM)
The drift I'm getting, saying you are Asian and completely cool with it, is that it is just a lot of ber-liberal 'White' Americans who feel the need to stick up for issues like that. It happens all the time.
"Don't let's ask for the moon-we have the stars" -
laurence_dang — 16 years ago(March 08, 2010 11:56 PM)
I am not actually casting any aspersions on any particular political tendencies with this.
I am simply stating that- I am able to put the entire issue into perspective and context and see the bigger picture (if you will pardon the expression) and appreciate a movie as a whole without being hampered by its minor flaws.
- I am knowledgeable enough about classic movies made before the 1970s to understand that they must be judged from their own time frame and social context rather than using our 21st century sensitivities.
There is nothing "liberal" or "conservative" about appreciating a movie for its own merits and analyzing it as a whole.
Also as I stated in my post there are many issues and situations exposed in the movie that are far more problematic and controversial (both for conservatives or liberals) than Rooney's portrayal.
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mlevans — 15 years ago(August 03, 2010 11:30 AM)
I agree with the poster that your outlook is refreshing. These scenes DO take a little bit away from an otherwise iconic moviebut not that much. And, as you have noted, they don't do so as badly as scenes in many other movies. Your point about the other actions & behaviors in the film area also well-taken.
Anyway, to me the bizarre point that should make one scratch his/her head today is not so much Rooney's caraciture as the fact that it won him an Oscar! Obviously that type of humor WAS still considered totally acceptable in mainstream America in 1961. -
cuteandcudly81 — 14 years ago(July 02, 2011 02:56 PM)
I agree with Laurence Dang here. Can't judge a movie made in the 60's with a 21st century mind. Quite a shocking comment made by a non-Caucasian. Nevertheless, this is a classic movie with minor flaws and a most wonderful actress!
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" -
singjohn — 10 years ago(March 23, 2016 02:20 AM)
THANK YOU LAURENCE!!
I like Breakfast at Tiffany's. And as a person of color, I do find Yunioshi offensive. But as a classic film lover, I too can put it in perspective and see it as a minor (maybe somewhat bigger that minor) flaw in an otherwise perfectly enjoyable film.