NYU students protested a Valentine's Day performance by the band Ching Chong Song, whose two members are white. The band has changed their name as a result, although this has yet to be reflected on their website.
Which ching chong song could they have been referring to? The Wikipedia entry on 'ching chong' includes some possibilities.
In response to the cancellation of a show at Bryn Mawr, band member Julia LaMendola wrote an open letter to the school newspaper.
In it, she claims that those who complained about her band's name took an unsophisticated approach: "Let's not use misunderstanding as armor against the complicated nature of life. Don't polarize shit when there are so many shades of sexuality and ethnicity to appreciate." Apparently she is able to take this stance because was the "child of a gay parent in a tiny town, a poor second-generation Italian girl, I also have experience with the nuances of language. And give me a break you stupid twats." She continues, "By the way, 'ching chang chong' is what people in Germany call the game paper rock scissors, and stupid petty retards is what I'm calling you."
Well, I call her the paragon of sensibility.
Posted by rebecca at February 15, 2007 11:41 AM
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i don't know where she got that about rock, paper, scissors in germany, but i've never heard that. nevertheless, if it is a regional or slang usage, it's also racist. germans are very racist about asians.
nice response to having you crap called out, now i know we all have our blind spots, but come on, "ching chong?"
Hmm, I can't decide whether being called a "stupid twat" is worse than being subjected to the music of Ching Chong Song.
But what I did learn from the letter is that I'm just not clever enough to follow the enlightened thoughts of the oh-so-witty and talented Julia LaMendola.
I really like your music and I agreed with you.
Me being from German decent, I am offended that Clair commented on how "German's are racist against Asians". What a horrible thing to say. Furthermore she posted it like she's the innocent one. I know Julie from way back and she is the farthest thing from being racist. This whole thing makes me sick. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Please stop the hate and enjoy the music. If you would listen to the music you would see there is nothing racist about it.