Miley Cyrus in the news. Racy photos. We’ve heard it before.
But this time it’s not “professional” topless pictures of the 16-year old Disney queen (Is that even legal?) Instead, a photo has surfaced with Cyrus and friends apparently making the oh so original stereotypical “slant eye” gesture.
Cyrus has denied the intent of the picture saying, “In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face. When did that become newsworthy? It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me.”
She went on to say, “Well, (I’m) sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!”
Ah, the famous words…”those people.” I suppose the picture could have been taken out of context when you were just acting goofy. Who knows, maybe the flash was really bright and they all had to squint? Gotta love Angry Asian Man’s rant on this picture. (BTW, keep up the good work over there brotha man)
Being Asian American, I took a look at the picture to see what the fuss was all about. I saw the photo, and I believe that Cyrus meant no harm. It’s not her fault, her dad IS Billy Ray Cyrus.
But taking another look at the photo, I was actually surprised that anyone could think this photo was in any way a reference to Asians. Not everyone will feel the same, so in Cyrus’ defense, I took the liberty of pointing out some things that clearly show no reason for anyone to associate this picture with anything Asian. (except for the Asian guy, which I’ll get to later)
Here’s the famous picture, with my observations. (see below for my notes)
1. It’s pretty obvious that this guy is not making fun of Asians. He’s stretching his eyes downward, not upward, which means he’s actually a Star Trek fan trying to look like Spock. Got give it up to a guy confident enough to come out of the “geek closet” and out himself as a Trekkie. (But come on, a real Trekkie would bust out the Vulcan greeting)
2. Same guy. He’s wearing a cross. We all know that the majority of Asians are Buddhist and don’t wear crosses. So, he can’t be making fun of Asians. I think this guy is just really confused. Come on, he’s wearing dogtags. I bet they say something like “Starfleet Commander” (see #1)
3. The famous Peace sign. Yes, Asians do use the Peace sign in photos, but this guy is doing the “bunny ears.” So this guy is definitely not making reference to Asians. Asians don’t do “bunny ears.”
If Asians do anything “animal-related” in photos, we’re usually hugging our Hello Kitty dolls.
And the hand-on-mouth gesture? Again, yes, Asians are famous for that (it’s a cultural thing). But by the look on his face (and on the girl’s next to him), he’s probably dealing with a little “backfire” from the girl’s “tailpipe.” (he must know about this tip to lower everyone’s blood pressure)
4. This guy is definitely not making fun of Asians. It’s painfully obvious that he has an infatuation with Robert Pattinson (of Twilight fame) and is trying to do his best impression. But he just ends up looking like a broke-ass Josh Groban instead.
5. Where do I start? First of all, I have some questions.
Dude, you’re obviously over 18 years old so why do you have an underage girl on your lap?
Why do you have a blanket on your lap?
What exactly are you holding?
Did you rip your shirt on the way to the party?
What’s up with the “O” face?
Oh yeah, it’s all good because you’re her “boyfriend“…
This guy isn’t making fun of Asians…he has bigger plans. He’s only 1 roofie away from executing “Operating sMiley”…
6. An Asian guy! Miley obviously can’t be racist because she is hanging out with an Asian guy…or at least let him stay after delivering the take-out…or after he fixed their computers (BTW, where’s your Geek Squad outfit?)
Photo Credits:
Sue Bauman
Paramount
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
“Those People” that’s awesome. I’m sure she thinks “Those People” didn’t take offense when the Class Action Suite seeking 4 Billon dollars was filed in court.
I also agree that having a father name Billy Ray Cyrus is a big clue to her political saviness. What kind of apology was that? It was actually worse than the photo.
In the end this will all blow over if it hasn’t already just like Shaq imitating Yao Ming, the Spanish Olympic teams doing the slant eye thing, Desperate Housewives making fun of Pinoy doctors, or Chris Tucker blasting Jackie Chan in Rush Hour. Making fun of asians doesn’t seem as big of a crime in America as making fun of other ethnic groups so read Jared’s post about G.I. Joe the movie while you chow down on something from Panda Fair.
Don’t taze me bro!
this is best feud i’ve ever heard of
Her use of \”would OF\” as opposed to \”would\’ve\”, short for \”would HAVE\”, offends me more than anything else.
@Calvin –
Very true…poor grammar is worse than racism. (I hope my sarcasm is as good as yours). Thanks for dropping by.
wow we all know that everyone makes fun of asians but does everyone get sued? this is taken too out of porportiion
@Sarah,
True, everyone makes fun of Asians. Sued? Not quite sure what you mean by that. But yes, Miley’s comments are all relative — it’s how you perceive them. I perceive them as coming from a young, naive girl.
I dont think she’s a racist, I mean, there is an Asian in the room. If she really did hate (or dislike) them, then she wouldn’t be hanging out with them.
I am a fan of Miley, have seen her new movie and love her show and music, but all the bad publicity is bad.
The vanity Fair photos (I’m pretty sure it is…), it’s her choice people!!! Get over it!!!
They dont have to be racist. They Could be making fun of asians. Just because u hang with one doesn’t make you un-racist. THe guy with the cross u can wear a cross and still make fun of asians successfully. I am Asian i know.
um.. are you kidding me? this is the dumbest thing ever! maybe the #1 guy was trying to do the asian squity eye thing and he just did it a little wrong! he’s probably not thinking about star trek all the time.. and what does wearing a cross have to do with anything? religious people can be racist! and you said that the majority of asians are buddhist and dont wear crosses so he cant be making fun of them when actually if they dont wear crosses and he does then he’s probably not the same regilion and doesnt care so he still can be making fun of them.. and the #3 thing doesnt even make sense.. people can do the bunny ears and stil be making fun of asians! they dont have to do everything the same as asians or they arent being racist! so if im making fun of asians i can still frickin do bunny ears! and just because the 4th guy looks like rob and josh doesnt mean he’s trying to! he’s making squinty eyes which is making fun of asians or making a silly face and mileys boyfriend guy cant have her sit on his lap with a blanket and hows she underage? they arent anywhere like a club or somewhere where she have to be 18!! and the asian guy??!?! people arent perfect they can hang out with certain races of people and still be racist against them! geeze person! not all these people are all making the squinty face because of something else! who’s to say they arent being racist!!?! that doesnt mean they are though! but these are just some really dumb reasons as to miley not being racist! seriously calm down.
i HATE this okay so Joe Jonas did it too…
WOW he didnt get sued i dont think anyone loves the JBS Anymore
i wish but really
we all do it ive done it with a asian kid the squit! Im not a fillpn racist!
Good job on your recognition of satire and sarcasm, Sally.
They’re not laughing AT the Asian guy. They’re laughing WITH him! And then WITH him again when he leaves!
Rumour has it that Miley dropped her Prius over fears surrounding the Toyota recall. Apparently not. Seems her pet German Shepherd was getting too large for the Prius. So she opted for a bigger Mercedes hybrid suv. Talented, rich and eco-conscious — gotta say one must love Miley.
I think everybody expects this star to create more succesfull songs.
Miley is such a amazing performer. I love all of her albums.
Cheers, great post.
I have to agree with Sally, I was thinking the exact same thing.
like every other asian racist joke, bullying its not taken seriously, at best asians are taken as a joke. Why? because when someone doesnt take things onto account, there is no reaction.
Just imagine if it was a skinny black guy in the middle, and all those white douchebags put black paint on their face with fat lips. Imagine what would happen.
…yeah thought so.
ok i know i’m kinda late replying on this, but i just found out yesterday and i was looking it up and then i come across this.
and i see everyone has let out their feelings about this, so shall i
the reasons you have given the audience is retarded! First of all everyone seems to be doing the same face yes in different ways but their eyes are still squinted. and yes bunny boy may be doing bunny ears but as far as i know as bunny ear look like, their fingers are curved in a bit but his fingers are straight up. And like wat sally said just because he look like that Vampire guy and Josh doesn’t prove he wasn’t making fun of Asian people and frankly i dont give a damn what she does with her bf because thats her owb personal life. thank you for reading my opinion.
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