網誌分類：Middle Kingdom |
As reported by the South China Morning Post:
Chip Tsao, a Hong Kong columnist and TV personality described the Philippines as "a nation of servants" and condemned Manila's claims to the Spratly Islands……The reason, he wrote, was that more than 130,000 Filipinas were working for as little as HK$3,580 (US$459) a month as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. "As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles….” Mr Tsao also wrote that he had given his own maid a harsh lecture, warning her to tell her people that the whole island chain belonged to the mainland if she wanted a pay rise next year.
For a thought experiment, lets do some word substitutions, and re-read:
John Smith a Hong Kong columnist and TV personality described China as "a nation of servants" and condemned Beijing's claims to Tibet……The reason, he wrote, was that many recent immigrants from China were working for as little as HK$50 (US$6.50) an hour as part-time domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles….” Mr Smith also wrote that he had given his own Chinese maid a harsh lecture, warning her to tell her people that Tibet belonged to the Tibetans if she wanted a pay rise next year.
In the civilized world, if an otherwise respectable public figure like Mr Tsao were to make such racist comments against an entire people in his writings, the public would certainly respond. As a minimum, other public figures, such as politicians, government officials, other authors and TV personalities, would be asked to comment. Pressure would snowball against all his employers, such as the TV station where he works, and the newspapers which carry his columns, and publishers of his writings, to sever their relationship with him. And if they refused, consumers would be urged to boycott all their advertisers.
While I believe the average HKers are heads and shoulders above the average Chinese from China (emphasis on "average" please, before anyone gets all bent out of shape here) in terms of culture, civilization, manners, and general ethics, I am not holding my breath on us responding appropriately.
But, unless and until every one of us, as ethnic Chinese, is outraged at such comments by a Chinese public figure, because it brings shame to all of us, we Chinese will never be a great people that we once were hundreds of years ago, and we will not deserve a central government of any higher quality than the one we have now.
However, I could be completely wrong. So go ahead, bloggers, prove me wrong. Tell me how outraged and ashamed you are by Mr Tsao’s trashy comments.
Postscript: In case anyone is tempted to lecture me on freedom of speech and expression, let me remind you that I’ve been a student of the original intent of the freedom of speech principle before most of you were born. That whole concept was meant to be a restraint on government and its actions against citizens. I support wholeheartedly one’s right to free speech along with one’s right to appropriate and civil reactions to certain speeches.
Jason 2009-05-24 00:22
藍天蔚先生：「陶傑禁足菲律賓事件告一段落，老實說，香港人都知，陶傑從來不會正正經經寫他的看法，筆者認為，這麼多年來，這類真的反映他自己的看法的文章只有一篇，就是傳頌一時的《下台吧，董建華》。除此以外，他的文章，看完了過一過癮便算。
不過他說的並不錯，寫文章，尤其寫在HK Magazine，何需太認真。如果是的話，某暢銷報章整版專欄，應該每天都惹官非。
既然陶傑也自稱文章是遊戲人間，筆者就認為他根本不應該道歉。禁足菲律賓？不去好了，查實菲律賓也沒有什麼好看，尤其以陶傑這類人，如果到了這麼年紀他還沒有去過菲律賓，則剩下的日子他大概也不會去。
可是，陶傑卻又向菲律賓道歉，復又在其專欄指出是菲律賓人之英文欠佳，有死雞撐飯蓋之嫌。
話又說回來，他的文章卻又十分抵死，指若不能用「菲傭」，宜改為Domestic Administrative Officer，簡稱DAO，真的吹佢唔脹！」
http://lamtw.blogspot.com/
The Teacher2009-05-24 11:38
Old-2 2009-04-28 01:54
It's a column, not a news article, not an arguement nor a claim. I find it really sarcastic and creative; typical Brits humour. It's funnier and clearer to show the ridiculous behaviour of all people in the writing (despite their races) in this way than put it straight like an essay. Yet, some people were hurt. That's a fact. It's inevitable to apologise. But we should broaden our minds and accept different ways of presentation.
I wouldn't believe him wasting time lecturing his maid (I doubt if he really has one) than writing something to earn more money. Why did he emphasize his maid major in politics? In plain, he could say "Even the one who cleans our toilets have more sense of geography than the employers. Rich in monetary terms is not equal to rich in life or knowledge." <-- That's boring!
The Teacher2009-04-28 07:32
See my comments to I Am Nobody.
Oh, and he didn't really apologize with any sincerity, just a left-handed one.
Simply Natural 2009-04-14 13:51
Joseph Lau 2009-04-14 11:41
Mimi~~~' 2009-04-11 21:04
The Teacher2009-04-11 21:45
- 2009-04-08 04:53
I am Nobody
Having read Chip Tsao’s article, I could only say his remarks are actually very infantile and his attitude towards his maid is unacceptable, why lectured politics to his maid and threatened with a salary freeze? I think his journalist career is finished.
A maid is a domestic helper, not a slave or servant; a maid should be treated as an employee and with respect, as we would expect our employer respects and rewards our values. But many HK families often treat their domestic helper like slaves; this is the kind of attitude that needs to be addressed. I have heard of that a family only gives their domestic helper a plank on a bathtub to sleep on each night and must get up early to allow others to use the bathroom.
The Teacher2009-04-08 09:13
A couple of points:
His mentioning of their low pay, lecturing his DM, and threats of a salary freeze were meant to be satiric, intended as a rib about how little HKers pay our DMs and how badly we treat them. Those comments were actually "pro-Filipina maids". But his "nation of servants" line went too far, making the entire article appear offensive.
I do not think his journalist career is over at all because the overwhelming majority of HKers do not have any respect for Filipinos in general, and the DMs in particular. While many of them may not pick up on the satire because of their low English proficiency, they have the same contempt towards the DMs as in the misunderstood version of Tsao's verbiage. My guess is he'll remain popular with the folks who have always liked him.
chestnut girl 2009-04-05 19:47
Yes, the last sentence is true. What a shame.
I watched the explanation of Tsao in the evening news (That the Philippines is a Catholic country). That was bullshit! How can he be so 厚顏無恥?
chestnut girl 2009-04-05 17:47
Dear Teach: I managed to find a copy of the article. I don't think Tsao intended to insult the Philippines. He was just 口沒遮攔 (writing without using his brain!). Anyway, most of his articles about current affairs and entertainment are quite offensive, and I gave up reading his Chinese columns a few years ago. Too disappointing.
I agree with you on the freedom of speech. People tend to abuse the rights of freedom nowadays. They just think the word 'freedom' gives them power to do whatever they like ...
The Teacher2009-04-05 19:36
My2Cents - 二毛 2009-04-05 05:19
BTW, I thought he studied in the UK but not the US. Anyway, it is still inexcusable.
The Teacher2009-04-05 08:10
Yes, the article is supposed to be satirical, and the column title is Politically Incorrect. However, the Philippine gov't has looked at it and determined that it was racsist enough to consider him persona non grata.
I read the original article. The reference to the domestic helpers' low wage was clearly satiric and a rib at how little HKers are paying for their services. But I still find the rest of the article offensive.
幸福小妹 Nicole 2009-04-02 15:12
Thoughts 2009-04-02 10:47
Oh, that sounds terrible.
His writing always sounds ...... carried away.
BigDaddy 2009-04-02 06:56
In my opinion, anyone that put down another race to make them look better, is an ASSHOLE!! he is definitely one of them...No Doubt!
Likes it or not, that MY OPINION!!
The Teacher2009-04-02 11:20
mark 2009-04-02 01:27
Uncle Ray (Codeiro) 今年85歲了, 你認識他嗎?
Uncle Ray 撐陶傑...
http://uncleray888.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=1647802
我撐 Uncle Ray!
The Teacher2009-04-02 02:21
Isis 2009-04-02 01:24
網上搵唔到原文。
The Teacher2009-04-02 02:17
Bonequinho 2009-04-01 22:40
The Teacher2009-04-02 03:06
Unfortunately, too many HKers share his bigotry.
Raymond 2009-04-01 21:52
The Teacher2009-04-02 02:02
Well, the US, on the other hand, has a habit of taking a good concept, and go way overboard with it. However, when it comes to this sort of things, at least her heart is in the right place.
Carol 2009-04-01 15:17
The Teacher2009-04-01 16:08