Shaq should apologize for racist comments

To:  Shaquille O'Neal, the NBA, the Lakers, Present & Future Shaq sponsors

Petition: We the undersigned petition that Shaquille O'Neal apologizes for his racial slurs directed to Yao Ming. The apology should acknowledge that race-based derogatory comments, no matter the intent, is wrong.


BACKGROUND===================================================================
Please make sure your full name and address is on this petition so it's as legit as it can be!

Thanks for stopping by this petition. I know this probably comes as a surprise for those of you who know me but I’m capable of looking beyond my little world when the occasion warrants it.

-- What’s the occasion? Shaq O’Neil directed racially insensitive taunts to Houston Rocket Yao Ming. You know what I’m talking about: the “Ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh” chant. See the article from Asian Week(http://www.asianweek.com/2003_01_03/sports_yaoming.html). Is Shaq a racist? That’s his business. Should we tolerate this type of behavior? Absolutely not.

Shaq has reportedly offered the following apology on Friday 1/10: “I mean, if I was the first one to do it, and the only one to do it, I could see what they're talking about. But if I offended anybody, I apologize.” Actually, that didn’t sound like an apology. (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030111/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bkn_shaq_yao_1) Maybe the Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak can do better: “Knowing Shaquille, I am certain that this was nothing more than a misguided attempt at humor” (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/4926546.htm) Sadly that doesn’t sound like an apology either.

-- What‘s the big deal? Whether Shaq’s comments were funny or not, it is a race-based derogatory comment. This is not just an insult to Yao Ming, but also an affront to all Americans want to “live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The sad part is, Shaq & Co were defending these comments as humorous, and apparently don’t understand why they are offensive. Now that’s no joke.

-- What should we do about it? Speak up! Hey, we are people, not rugs. About time we stop letting people step on us. Non-apology NOT accepted! If you sign this petition, I will forward it to all of the relevant folks... Shaq, media outlets, the NBA, the Lakers, corporations that uses Shaq to endore their products, and influential civil rights leaders.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Shaq should apologize for racist comments Petition to Shaquille O'Neal, the NBA, the Lakers, Present & Future Shaq sponsors was created by and written by Annie Cheng (campaspe@address.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.