Last week, Harry posted on Sacramento's Screen on the Green series removing Mickey Rooney's scenes from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" before a free viewing. The screening -- sans Rooney's yellowface turn as Mr. Yunioshi -- ended up being canceled and replaced by "Ratatouille." The Sacramento Bee caught up with Rooney on the phone this weekend to get his insight on that infamous role.
Some of the highlights:
"Don't break me up – I wouldn't offend any person, be they black, Asian or whatever."
"I was born in Brooklyn, delivered by a Chinese doctor on a table in a boardinghouse on Sept. 23, 1920."
"I came from a poor family. My father was from Glasgow, Scotland; my mother's brothers were brakemen on the railroad. We didn't have anything but mush for breakfast."
And the kicker: "Rooney's wife, Jan, who said they love Chinese art, food, culture and medicine, explained that the film role was meant to be fun. 'It's terribly sad, and I feel bad for the people taking offense,' she said."
Well, that explains it all. Wearing buck teeth, taping your eyelids, and adopting a stereotypical Asian accent in a cinematic classic (whilst denying the racism behind it) is all good if you grew up poor ... and if you have an acupuncturist.
I realize they're old. It'd be easier getting an 88-year-old to slam dunk a basketball than to have him or her shake these racial notions that they've been taught and re-taught since they were kids. But younger generations would be remiss if they didn't school these older folks on how their legacies have affected us. Rooney says it "breaks his heart" to hear these accusations of racism. Well, if you've never been the target of countless variations of a Mr. Yunioshi impression (and yes, it is much more than just playground taunts), then you have no real claim to that heartbreak. I don't care how much you love Chinese food.
This blog entry is graciously sponsored by Toyota Matrix, check out their website devoted to the best in Asian American film.
Posted by sylvie at August 25, 2008 1:20 PM
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Maybe he thinks it's affectionate, like how Spanish athletes think pulling back their eyes is affectionate.
My favorite was when he said he forgives everyone who's been offended by his character.
First, Spain's Olympic teams and now Rooney. Will these stupid people -- who offend us Asians -- please stop trying to tell us that what they've done is not offensive? If we tell you we're offended and what you've done is racist, maybe you should just shut the f*ck up, apologize and go away.
BTW, I was hoping some Olympians from Asian countries would respond to the squinty-eyed photos by taking a team photo of their own. This one with them using their forefingers and thumb to prop open their eyes -- make their eyes really wide -- to show how asinine the Spaniards are.