Apologies

ESPN on a 'chink in the armor' :

We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN. Through self-examination, improved editorial practices and controls, and response to constructive criticism, we will be better in the future.

This reminds me of Prokofieff's response to "constructive criticism" from Stalin. We're talking about a colloquial expression that has never to my knowledge been used as racial slur historically.

Update. The headline writer is quoted:

"This had nothing to do with me being cute or punny," Anthony Federico told the Daily News.

"I'm so sorry that I offended people. I'm so sorry if I offended Jeremy."
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Federico, 28, said he understands why he was axed. "ESPN did what they had to do," he said.

He said he has used the phrase "at least 100 times" in headlines over the years and thought nothing of it when he slapped it on the Lin story.(3)

I don't see the mistake, except a country that has lost all rationality. This guy lost his job for absolutely no reason, and will have problems working again. This is sick, a witch hunt, and should be condemned. He is shouldering the burden of popular anger that comes from living in a plutocratic society, an anger that is not focused rationally, but through hysteria and emotion. Again, we are talking about a colloquial expression will absolutely no racist history. It's alluding to the middle ages.

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Something similar in the news in Texas:

... critics of veteran Arlington educator, Shirley Bunn are calling for her to be fired after she made a racially insensitive remark to an 8th grade boy in September at Barnett Junior High School. 63-year old, Bunn was suspended and has been on paid leave since the incident.

In a recent ruling, an independent examiner found the boy, identified in the report as R-F was in class when he repeatedly told the teacher that he is Mexican. She says that she reminded him that he is an American and he again stated that he is Mexican. Bunn admits that she told the boy, "then go back to Mexico." The examiner ruled the comment didn't warrant termination.(2)

I'm sorry, but your sweet little kids are by and large narcissistic monsters. And the general public expects teachers to be nuns, monks or possibly saints. Not only are they supposed to reverse hundreds of years history and daily assault from both political parties, it all should be done with a smile.

America is a plutocratic society that through its daily actions pretends it isn't. These incidents are examples of "they protest too much" moments. Our society tremors over minor incidents while it steps around the dead homeless. It bores me, but I suppose a few ethnic studies departments will grant some tenures over it. Meanwhile the various working class identity groups can be happy fighting over who gets the premium cat food. They, you, will never get anywhere -- that mentality has never worked.
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1'Statement on offensive comments' - ESPN
2'North Texas teacher tells student, "Go back to Mexico"- KDAF TV, Dallas
3'Jeremy Lin headline slur was ‘honest mistake,’ fired ESPN editor Anthony Federico claims' - NY Daily News