Political Correctness Goes to far

[Guest Frank_Nabbit]

Racism against Chinese - 'No *beep* in my chain'!!!!

by - Deeluzion (Tue Dec 28 2004 16:24:45 ) Ignore this User | Report Abuse

 

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http://www.asianmediawatch.net/meetthefockers/

 

'No *beep* Says Film 'Meet the Fockers'

Asian Media Watch

December 13, 2004

 

In a speech from father to future son-in-law, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) tells Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) "I can't have a *beep* in my chain." Jack uses a metaphor about two circles forming a "chain" to describe the joining of the Byrnes and Focker family trees by marriage. He goes on to describe how he can't have undersirable people join his family tree. He can't have a *beep* in his "chain." The *beep* joke is repeated in the film.

 

Meet the Fockers is a comedy that relies on double entendres. The title of the movie is itself intended to be funny. The use of the word "focker" in the film's title and in the film's signature jokes prepare the audience for word games. We're supposed to laugh when Jack angrily refers to his future in-laws as "those Fockers" e.g. vulgar slang *beep* Likewise, we're supposed to laugh at the use of the word *beep* when Jack says "I can't have a *beep* in my chain" or Greg says "Your dad is very worried that there's going to be a *beep* in the chain"

 

These jokes are only funny if audiences interpret the word *beep* as a demeaning term for people of Chinese descent. This intentional play on words by the producers is repulsive and we're not laughing.

 

Since the 1800s, Chinese Americans have made important contributions to American society. Early Chinese immigrants worked on plantations, in mining, in logging, and in railroad construction. Over 13,000 Chinese immigrants helped build the most treacherous sections of the Transcontinental Railroad which was vital to the growth of the American economy. Despite their contributions, Chinese Americans faced racial discrimination including anti-immigration laws (Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882) and infringements on the right to vote. Reflecting the racist attitudes of the time, Chinese Americans were referred to *beep* and "Chinamen" and demonized in the press and in public forums.

 

The word *beep* is a derogatory term used to demean and dehumanize people of Chinese descent. This ethnic slur has no place in contemporary society. By using of this word in their film, the producers of Meet the Fockers are condoning racist attitudes and the use of ethnic slurs against Americans of Chinese and Asian descent.

 

Contact the producers of the film:

http://www.asianmediawatch.net/meetthefockers/

 

--

Asian Media Watch

Web: http://www.asianmediawatch.net

News: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asianmediaalerts/

E-mail: [email protected]

[Astro101 0]

It's funny, because when I first saw the trailer, being Asian myself, I pointed it out to my buddies and jokingly said they were racist. Didn't really mean it though.

[Guest croweater]

I haven't seen the movie but wouldn't the "beep" be interpreted as "focker".

 

I haven't ever heard that term used for a chinese person either.

[NoCalMike 0]

I think the reason the audience is supposed to be laughing is because the audience is supposed to be realizing that Jack is using a word that has racist undertones. That is the whole point.

[AndrewTS 0]

What's the word? There's more than one demeaning term for Asians, ya know.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290002/fullcredits

 

Apparently the character wasn't even shown, though...*shrug*

[Richard 0]

chink?

chink in the chain?

[Guest El Satanico]

yes...it's "chink in the chain" that this articles refers to...and it's a fucking stupid complaint.

 

"chink in the chain" is an old saying that I believe has nothing to do with asians. There's not even an asian person in the movie for it to be negatively aimed at.

[Guest Smues]

Maybe I'm just really tired, but I don't think I've ever heard the phase chink in the chain. Kink in the chain yes, Chink no.

[Guest El Satanico]

"chink in the chain" is just a different form of "chink in the armor"

 

It just means he doesn't want his family chain weakened, not that a person of Chinese descent will weaken his family.

[starvenger 0]

I'd be behind the Asian Media Watch a bit more if Chinese people didn't still call Caucasians gwi lo, Chinese-Canadians/Americans (like myself) juk sing, and immigrants FOBs...

[Ripper 0]

"chink in the chain" is just a different form of "chink in the armor"

 

It just means he doesn't want his family chain weakened, not that a person of Chinese descent will weaken his family.

Oh come on. you know how they meant for it to be taken,.

 

Some people will laugh, some will get pissed. such is life.

[Guest Askewniverse]

I didn't think about the "chink in the chain" line as having a racial undertone until I read the complaint. Even after reading the complaint, I still don't think the line is racist. Like El Satanico said, it's just an old saying. It's a dumb complaint.

 

I'd be behind the Asian Media Watch a bit more if Chinese people didn't still call Caucasians gwi lo, Chinese-Canadians/Americans (like myself) juk sing, and immigrants FOBs...

What exactly do those words mean?

[starvenger 0]

What exactly do those words mean?

Gwi Lo - Ghost people. I think gaijin was derived from this

 

Juk Sing - Hollow Bamboo. The expression is meant to mean "caught between two cultures," and is used in a derogatory manner similar to "Banana"

 

FOB - acronym meaning "Fresh Off the Boat". Similar to the acronym for Without Papers.

[Ripper 0]

I didn't think about the "chink in the chain" line as having a racial undertone until I read the complaint. Even after reading the complaint, I still don't think the line is racist. Like El Satanico said, it's just an old saying. It's a dumb complaint.

I am not saying the joke was racist, I am saying that it was a comment with a double meaning and it most assuredly was written to be like that. Thats the joke.

[NYU 0]

I don't see how it could have any racial undertones, seeing as how there was never any threat in the movie of a Chinese person entering the family.

 

The reason the line was repeated throughout "Meet the Fockers" was simply because a similar line was repeated in "Meet the Parents." In the first film, Robert DeNiro kept lecturing Ben Stiller on the "circle of trust", telling him that he could either join it or stay out of it, because there was just no way the circle would be broken. Well, in this film, DeNiro is referencing the circle again, when he says he doesn't want a "chink in the chain." The circle - or chain, as it's referred to here - only got stronger with the addition of Stiller. He doesn't want to see it weaken with the addition of his parents.

 

"Chink in the chain" = Weak link

 

It's ridiculous to think the film is referencing Chinese people here when, get this, there aren't any Chinese people in the movie to reference!

 

"Chink" as an english vocabulary term has been used for a longer amount of time than "chink" as a derogatory term for Chinese. Once again, people manage to get upset over absolutely nothing.

Edited January 6, 2005 by NY Untouchable

[starvenger 0]

It's ridiculous to think the film is referencing Chinese people here when, get this, there aren't any Chinese people in the movie to reference!

Of course it is, but that's how PC groups work. Although to be honest, compared to some of their other campaigns (such as trying to get "Harold and Kumar..." considered for some comedy movie awards) this one is really farfetched.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Wait, does he actually say "chink" or "beep"? The article isn't very clear there. Anyway how about grow a set of nuts and accept that it's a FUCKING JOKE. IN A COMEDIC MOVIE. YOU KNOW DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU LAUGH. There's no racist undertones, none. Now shut up and go lay some rail ties chinks.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I've never used a "chink" joke and I'm offended.

 

*Prays nobody does a search at this place...*

[Ripper 0]

I just don't think it helps when you have a preview and they have the "chink in the chain" line and then cut to Dustin Hoffman practicing martial arts.

 

If they didn't mean it that way in the movie, the trailer certainly might ruffle a few feathers.

[Guest CronoT]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=chink

 

There, that should get some of the PC assholes that are bitching to shut up a little.

[Richard 0]

I'd advise Ben stiller and co to drink pepsi

[slimm44 0]

haha, nobody is ever happy anymore. there's always something...I found the movie hilarious, racism or not

[Ted the Poster 0]

When is a door not a door?

When it is a CHINK!

 

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

Christ.

[Guest Smues]

When is a door not a door?

When it is a CHINK!

 

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

Christ.

I don't get it.

 

Edit: .....Oh my god is that actually a Puma Man action figure? Now I've seen everything.

[Ted the Poster 0]

Look at Crono's link further up, and you'll get it.

 

That action figure is made from the parts of different figures, btw.

[Nighthawk 0]

Well, it's pretty obvious that it was intended in the interpretation in question. A chink in the chain is not a common phrase, but it sounds like one, which is, as stated, the style of humor they like to employ. On the other hand, so what? Racism is funny. I won't watch this movie because I hate sequels.

[Special K 0]

A) That is the joke. It is a double entendre.

B) The character does not intend it as a racist term, but Stiller's Character probably takes it as that, and is shocked. That is the comedy of the situation. If the character does not intend it as a put-down, it's hard for it to be offensive.

C) I honestly don't see it as being very offensive. Nor do I find Chris Rock saying 'cracker ass cracker' offensive, and that's actually using it as a put-down.

[Guest El Satanico]

I'd agree with it being a double meaning joke at the expense of the Chinese, if it was used in that manner in the film, but it wasn't. The movie wasn't about being subtle and there's no doubt they would've used it in an obvious manner, if it was intended as a joke.

 

Hoffman doing martial arts style exercising is they only "asian thing" in the film and despite whatever the trailer shows, the line wasn't used in reference to it.

[Special K 0]

Exactly. Humorous misunderstandings are a very basic type of joke. That's all this is. IMO, it's quite a bit less offensive than one of those 'White/asian/hispanic/black guys drive/walk/dance/sound like this, other guys drive/walk/dance/sound like this'.

[Nighthawk 0]

This is probably the last I'll say without seeing it for myself, but what exactly are these people offended by? That a slur is used, regardless of context? Even if he said "I won't have a filthy chink in my house.", there probably wouldn't be an issue if it was acknowledged as innapropriate within the context of the film.

If Stiller's character is shocked by the line, it leads me to believe their problem is the flippance with which the double entendre is used, which is true to a point. It's a pretty strained joke. However, they're clearly just busybodies. Things 10,000 times worse were said on The Jeffersons without incident. The Chinese are jealous of the racist action some of their contemporaries receive. Have you seen some of the other things they get upset about? Fuck em.