I’m not sure if you heard about the Spanish ad featuring the Spanish basketball team for the 2008 Olympics, where members each pulled the corners of their eyes to make them look “slant-eyed.” If not, check out this article and blog post, or else Google the issue.  I’m not too worked up over it, but I do think that it was insensitive and ignorant.  What really makes the situation worse, in my mind, is the reluctance of the team to acknowledge the stupidity of the gesture and apologize.  Instead, the team members and official reps merely state that the whole thing was not intended to offend and that it was only a affectionate “nod” or “wink” to their participation in Beijing.  Um…okay.  Anyway, I think the official response by the Chinese is pretty admirable.  But, it does make it easier to be gracious given their overall success at the games.

’nuff said.

What are your thoughts?  Express yourself in the comments.

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