U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, a California Democrat, slammed ESPN for their racist “Chink in the Armor” headline that ran on Friday regarding New York Knicks star point guard Jeremy Lin.
ESPN fired editor Anthony Federico, the man responsible for the headline, two days after the headline ran on ESPN mobile, which is the platform used for the mobile version of their website.
“I think that the use of the term is appalling and offensive,” said Ms. Chu in an appearance on MSNBC Monday. “The ‘c’ word is for Asian Americans like the ‘n’ word is for African Americans.”
In addition to the headline that ran, ESPN commentator Max Bretos also used the “chink in the armor” phrase while discussing the Knicks last week.
ESPN suspended Mr. Bretos for 30 days, and he has since then issued an apology via New York Daily News. He also stated that his wife is Asian, and that he has used the term “chink in the armor” hundreds of times.
Ms. Chu took issue with that sentiment as well Monday.
“If he was using it all those times, that is extremely sad. The word was used since the 1880s to demean Chinese Americans and to deprive them of rights, and it is used on playgrounds specifically to humiliate and to offend Asian Americans. So I don’t know where he’s been all this time,” said Ms. Chu.
The California Democrat also took issue with boxer Floyd Mayweather’s comments via his Twitter account regarding Mr. Lin. Mr. Mayweather stated that Mr. Lin was only getting attention because he is an Asian American in the predominately African American NBA.
“Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise,” tweeted Mr. Mayweather last week.
The congresswoman called him the “heavyweight champion of insensitive remarks,” as he has also made racially insensitive comments about Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.
Ms. Chu is one of several politicians that has embraced the success of Mr. Lin.
“Jeremy Lin is living the #American story – success built on hard work and perseverance. Too bad he isn’t playing for #LA! #Linsanity @Jlin7,” tweeted Ms. Chu on February 15th.
President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin have also expressed their interest in Mr. Lin’s success.
ESPN issued an apology to the Harvard grad for the “Chink in the armor” headline, after immediately pulling the headline from its site once they were became aware of it. The Knicks guard has since accepted their apology and is ready to move on from the controversy surrounding it.
“I don’t think it was on purpose or whatever, but they have apologized and so from my end I don’t care anymore,” said Mr. Lin Sunday. “Have to learn to forgive and I don’t even think that was intentional. Or hopefully not.”
