World Champion Fencer Under Fire For Racist Slant-Eye Gesture While In Japan

[Demovictory9]

Link to tweet

The picture, taken while in Japan for a competition, is accompanied by a caption which translates to “That’s how I feel after having eaten 🍣🍚🍜 for a week ... but at least it was worth it!” It has since been removed from Lambertini’s Instagram.

Those of Asian descent were quick to call out the racism behind the post, flooding Lambertini’s account with criticisms. Jimmy O. Yang of “Silicon Valley” even posted about the photo on his own Instagram, urging people to “take a stance against this.”

“This type of overt ignorance is absolutely unacceptable,” Yang said.

Criticisms of Lambertini spilled over to other social media platforms as well, with Twitter users also pointing out the athlete’s offensive post.

[DURHAM D]

1. gheez louise

At least he is not an American.

[Boxerfan]

2. I'd just say stupid attempt at humor.

While he could just be a racist -he also could just be young & dumb.

Happens all the time.

[Xipe Totec]

3. I'd just say stupid attempt at racism.

While he could just be a humorist -he also could just be young & dumb.

Happens all the time.

[marble falls]

4. My take also. What are we to make of the popular Japanese surgery to flatten eyes: cultural ...

expropriation? Dumb photo, but not hate driven.


https://www.businessinsider.com/japan-obsessed-eyelid-surgery-2017-8

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Just because it's not "hate driven" doesn't mean it's not racist.

[Xipe Totec]

6. I think you're totally off the mark

Comparing Orientals wanting to look like Europeans,

to Europeans mocking the look of Orientals.

Can you see the difference?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. The inclination to see this as a "young," "dumb" kid who is "trying to be funny" is a big reason

why racism is so hard to eradicate. He made a racist gesture. He doesn't even have to be young and dumb. Still a racist gesture. Let's call it what it is so he and others can learn.

[912gdm]

8. as long as it's not soft-homophobia it's bad.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211541617#post10