By Sarah Edwards, CNN
(CNN) – The maker of a Google app thinks it's fun to make yourself look Asian by changing the shape of your eyes and wearing a Fu Manchu mustache and rice paddy hat.
Another app - "Make Me Indian" - makes you a Native American with brown skin, war paint and a feather headband.
“This is just a fun app (that) lets you indulge you and your friends," says the description of the "Make Me Asian" app created by user KimberyDeiss and available on Google Play.
"You can for a few seconds to make (yourself) a Chinese, Japanese, Korean or any other Asians," the description says.
Not amusing or cute, say Asian-American organizations that launched a petition to get Google to remove both apps.
The apps use dated and racist stereotypes of Asians and Native Americans, said the online campaign 18 Million Rising, named after the number of Asian-Americans in the United States.
“These racist and offensive portrayals of Asians and Native Americans perpetuate damaging racial stereotypes and should not be distributed on the Google play store," said the campaign, which has an online petition to remove the apps.
Google, however, said the apps are not in violation of the company's policies that protect against hate speech.
"We don't comment on individual apps," Google said in a statement. "We remove apps from Google Play that violate our policies."
KimberyDeiss makes other photo-altering apps including "Make Me Old" and "Make Me Fat." There's also "Make Me Russian" and "Make Me Irish," which play off stereotypes.
But the furor in the Asian-American community, sparked a few weeks ago, is growing. Blogs, including Angry Asian Man, have reinforced the call to remove the apps.
Washington pastor Peter Chin decided to mount an even larger protest on the website Change.org.
Chin said he understood Google's motto is "Don't be evil." That makes it hard to fathom why the company would support these apps, he said.
This is the first time Chin has protested in this way. He was prompted to act, he said, because Google refused to do so.
“Google normalizes everything from Google maps, Gmail," he said. "If you want to search for something on the Internet, you even say to 'Google it.'"
Chin feared Google's power would make people think the apps were OK.
"I wanted to make sure this app isn’t given a pass of approval," he said.
Chin said he wants Google users to know that the stereotypes in the apps have been used to marginalize and discriminate against people.
"It's not cool," he said.
CNN's Moni Basu contributed to this report.
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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this is as stupid as it gets. it looks stupid any ways, it's a joke. i think it would be cool to see your self as a different ethnic groups. this is all in fun. don't you think it would be amusing to see your self as a white person, especially a "typical" what ever white person! a middle age person, a red neck, a preppy, a hippie i mean you could go on. lighten up!!!
The headline for this article on the front page of the site is "Asians call Google Apps Offensive." Notice the pluralization of apps. This gives the impression that Google is doing something on a large scale offensive to Asians. You get into this article, and all it talks about is a single app. Whether intentional or not, this is misleading and should be fixed, lest you be deemed doing little more than trying to dupe people into reading a waste of an article about an app that no one would have heard about until you wrote an article about it.
Did you even read the article? It is two apps, hence the pluralization.
Headline on this page, not the front page "Asian-Americans speak out against Google app they call offensive." Now it's singular. Somewhere they are messing up and misleading people.
Totally agree with Fluffy. This isn't worth a CNN story. What about the economy? What about the fiscal cliff? I think those are extremely urgent for everyone, not just a specific segment of the US population.
This app in itself is not really racist. It's how it is used. If it is used to mock people because of their ethnicity than that is racism/prejudice.
Morphing faces into different ethnicities in itself is not racist. I've seen it done in mainstream commercials and it's standard practice to start with a basic human 3D model (either Michael or Victoria) and then morph their ethnicities to create a final product.
I am offended by people who get offended.
I am offended by people who get offended by people who get offended.
Well, actually I am not, but this is what is actually all about, right? We always have to complain.
Asians used to be cool; now they're another group of whiners. Get over yourselves.
Wow, some really dumb posts here. Just confirms there are still dumb racists in America.
I think this says more about people who use the app then the google.
So, how come this year, while Christmas shopping, I stumble across a Chinese-made, American Indiana kids "outfit". It was bubble-packed and contained a head band with a couple of feathers, a knife, a tomahawk and a fake scalp. Made by the Chinese....
We have a thing called "double standard" in this country. It's ok when they do it. Just not when you do it. They have feelings and sensitivities whereas you and American Indians are assumed to have none.
You can't be referring to the "Made in China" label. Are you daft? Asian-AMERICANS are complaining.
Oh get over it. Too sensitive.
First of all, somewhere along the line, orientals hijacked the term "Asian" to refer exclusively to peoples who used to be called "oriental". Asia is a gigantic continent that encompasses far more than countries inhabited by orientals, i.e. people with slanted eyes and yellow skin. Asia also includes India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and two dozen other non-oriental countries. Orientals are not the only Asians and do not have an exclusive right to the term "Asian". Orientals should go back to being referred to as orientals.
As a non-oriental Asian, I take offense at this misappropriation of the term "Asian". Oh, and as an Asian, I do not take offense at the app mentioned in the above article. I think it's totally fine.
I agree completely. Except that the app should be called "make me oriental".
An Oriental is a rug.
And china is a type of plate. You can't seriously be that stupid.
Actually, TheBob, the term "Oriental" is more offensive to Asians. I should know.
You're missing the point. Just because they (and I assume you) are offended at a term that happens to be the proper terminology (meaning "of the East"), it doesn't give them the right to hijack the name of an entire continent and make it exclusive to themselves. As an Asian, I am offended by that.
I understand your point. My point is that I'd prefer to be called what I am, Korean. Not lumped into some large group of cultural ambiguity. Some people believe the term is antiquated, pejorative, and disparaging due to its usage in the United States.
"The word ‘oriental’ does not describe ethnic origin, background or even race; in fact, it has deep and demeaning historical roots." – Governor David A. Patterson, New York"
... and for the record I am not offended by the app. Political correctness is slowly and surely killing this country. At some point we seem to have mixed up facts and opinions. Most Asians have thinner eyes, that's a fact. Pointing it out is simply an acknowledgement of that. Pretending as if it doesn't exist is just ridiculous.
What's next? Will G.I. Joes also be considered racist to Asians because they have kung-fu grips? C'mon people.
So the Governor of New York doesn't understand the meaning of oriental. Who cares.
That's because the term "oriental" is considered derogatory now. You refer to things like food oriental, not people.
So apparently all Asians are easily offended.
There is a reason why there are no longer jokes about African Americans in full visibility and there are with Asians. It took African American's years to fight back insensitive and racist stereotypes and corporate American is fearful to push that button. However, Asians have always been the "turn the other cheek" people and thus have always taken unfair stereotypes. But the younger Asian American's are not from that culture and are not going to turn the other cheek and who could blame them?
Are there any African Asians? How about African Russians? CNN previously reported there were African Americans rioting in England. Why were they not sent back to the USA?
There are "Asian" Africans (Indian descent people living in East Africa and South Africa) – And I think Mauritius has people of Indian and Chinese descent. Doesn't South Africa have Chinese descent residents too?
But AFAIK there has never been African immigration to Russia or Russian immigration to Africa.
I am offended to be lumped in with African immigrants. I am no more African than any other native American. I was born and raised in America, as were most of my ancestors back to the early 1600s. I am an American native. I am offended to be called anything but American. (Actually, I'm not offended. I do not take offense at silly things. Just making a point here. The press and liberals in general are doing everything they can to divide Americans. Divide and conquer is working nicely.)
Good grief. I happen to be one of those that love the different ethnic genetic heritages (I hope that's not offensive). I would do that to my picture, because I think it would be "cool" to see how I would look Asian, not to make fun of them, but, because I think that Asian facial features are beautiful. I say "Celebrate our differences". Focus and cling to the goodness that we all have and not focus on the negative. And yes, I think that black is beautiful, and brown and every other color. I'm very sorry that some feel this is offensive, and I hope that you will hear that I see the coolness of celebrating how we all look different. Thanks all for reading.
finally. thank you sir.
so so so so so agree....Used to play Cowboys and Indians and absolutely love everything about the Indian Heritage and the Cowboy Culture..
Next thing you know, we will be accused of racism for dressing up on Halloween. This is ridiculous to think this app is anything but fun for all..
But this app seems to use Fu Manchu stereotypes instead of an honest depiction of East Asian people
HOWEVER it may be wise not to protest against it because this may give it more publicity – You need to decide if it's worth fighting over.
1. The app does play into racial stereotypes that many would consider to be offensive. It's clearly in poor taste.
2. Being offended by something, with or without good reason, does not give you the right to censor it. Part of "don't be evil" means respecting the principles of free speech. If you don't like this clearly offensive app, then don't use it.
3. Profit.
She calls it a "Google app" yet Google had nothing to do with it's creation. Did she mean "Android app"?
I believe this app will sell very well, because of all the brouhaha.
Is no big deal. There's an app, 'Make me American' that automatically adds150 lbs, puts you in a pair of gray sweatpants, and superimposes your picture in front of an all-you-can-eat salad bar eating the last 4 dinner rolls. You don't see people complaining about that.
So Im reading all of the comments that speak of an app to make you white or some other race but the piece that is missing in the conversation is history. The reason that some asians find these apps offensive are they used stereotypes that were ridiculed and caricatures that were created to mock a race. If they made the features change and didnt add the hat and mustache it wouldnt be "as" offensive. Example lets say there was a make me jewish app...and they put a curly fro on you and a big nose...maybe someone may find that funny. If they put a concentration camp stamp on your forehead not so much. A make me black app makes you brown skin with a dreadlocks and big lips ok..funny...blackface makeup with big white lips not so much.. Be light hearted, be able to laugh at yourself but they went too far.
This is a disguised preaching.
This is absolutely not true, nothing in this app is caricature, nothing mocking a race; look at the pictures! That's exactly what's so frustrating about this whole protest.
ForMia, The hat and mustache are symbols that were used to characterize people of Asian decent for years in this country. Also, IF this country (white people in particular) didn't have such a horrible and extreme history of being racist it would be easier to think, "this is all in fun". However, since whites have negatively stereotyped other races to their detriment for hundreds of years they have brought additional scrutiny on themselves, justifiably.
B, wanna see horrible racism not done by Americans? Call one type of Asian the wrong type of Asian.
B: We should acknowledge the wrongs done by previous generations of Americans. At the same time, many of the young generation reject these stereotypes anyway – Not all White people are "guilty"
As long as the app is an equal opportunity offender, which it appears to be, I don't see anything wrong with it and I'm Asian. eh, lighten up folks, it's a silly app...
I'm sure downloads of the app will skyrocket after this article and very few people knew about it before...
Political correctness – again. Will it ever stop. Kids playing cowboys and indians is already "uncool". Whites playing playing blacks/asians/indians/etc in movies – "uncool" – why not just burn all the old western movies. Oh, and what about the more recent and acclaimed movies about gay men played by straights – how dare they! There are plenty of gay actor's aren't there? And what about halloween – girl costumes for girls only and boys for boys only?
That segment belongs on Anderson's ridiculist. The people using these apps are having fun with each other and that's nobody elses business. I can't believe a woman that thin skinnede is a journalist – or maybe it was just a slow news day. Idiots.
With Anderson on top of the ridiculist.
Conservatives call it "political correctness." Liberals call it "censorship." They're both exactly the same otherwise.
As a black person there are alot of movie made in this country's past that I think should be burned. Or used as proof to show how racist this country's origins are. I wonder how a movie about the Slave Owner george washington would be perceived if it starred a Black man as george. IF this country (white people in particular) didn't have such a horrible and extreme history of being racist it would be easier to think this app is all in fun. However, since whites have negatively stereotyped other races to their detriment (especially in those old western you mentioned) for hundreds of years they have brought additional scrutiny on themselves, justifiably. IDIOT.
And that is Black logic for you a 19 year old white kid living in 2013 should be held responsible for thing that happened in the 17 and 18 hundreds
I'm curious, was pastor Chin protesting Yale professor Amy Chua when she explained in her book " Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" why the Chinese mothers are superior to the American mothers, and raising better children?
Agree, it was written under a thinly disguised pretext ("humbled by a thirteen-year-old"), but it was an arrogant book all right.
i think people are having the wong idea about this application. I'm asian, i think its funny.
A Google app? Whoever wrote this, you can tell he or she have no clue what an app is, what Google does, or what is a smartphone. A Google app is apps such as Gmail, Picasa, Maps, etc... Apps made by Google, Inc. Any other apps, like this "Make me Asian" its an Android app. Any idiot with half of brains knows that Android is an open source system, and that apps are rated by the general public. Shame on you CNN, at least hire people that knows a little about this subject.
They should fire the offended women in the video clip for her obtuse views.
I think you went a bit overboard with the "shame on you" part, but otherwise your point is valid. The person writing this article obviously flubbed on the terminology and needs to issue a correction.
Google Play (I still hate the name, btw) is not the iPhone App Store. In the App Store, all applications must be approved by Apple. It doesn't work that way on Google Play. They do have some guidelines, mostly designed to protect against malware; but for the most part, they take a laissez-faire approach. If you don't like the app, feel free to downvote it. But don't start demanding that Google remove it simply because it's offensive or in poor taste.
If they had a "Make Me White" app it would drop you in a background on the Springer show with a mullett, wifebeater and a tattoo. 8^p
and I doubt there would be any white whiners crying about it and organizing little groups.
That sounds awesome! Make it!
Now we have to have a law that forbids discrimination of anyone in this group and I'm ok with this. The group is the LGBTAIHHMFYO, however this cannot and will not apply to anyone making $250,000/yr, they can always be discriminated against, in particular if they work at all or are not a politician.
Thank you, thank you very much....
omg this is so hilarious
Why don't we protest and vilify the masquerade party goers, the men dressing up as women or the other way around, people wearing colored lenses, etc.? lol
Ive heard a lot of ridiculous comparisons to justify racism, but eye color? Really? That's new and demonstrates a complete kind of racism that some can only dream of.
This sort of silly protest may lead one day to all kinds of aberrations.
I'm Chinese, and I found the app quite amusing. I couldn't disagree more with these Asian American groups' attempts to curtail other people's freedom of speech over such a trivial matter. More generally, I really hope that Asian Americans don't become the race that tries to browbeat everyone else into submission. Not only is it wrong, it's highly likely to cause further racism and negative stereotypes. Muslims have that violent reputation, whether fairly or unfairly, and they certainly haven't gained any sympathy because of it.
"Chin said he wants Google users to know that the stereotypes in the apps have been used to marginalize and discriminate against people."
Says the guy whose blog uses a very stereotypical asian looking action figure as it's front page.
I'll be ok if the had a "make me a black man" app. Yeah it's ok to bash on Asians but you can't make fun of the blacks?
You mean all the industry creating whitening creams and hair straightening chemicals, and all the people using them should be held responsible for creating and enforcing racial stereotypes? We, as society, should have a serious discussion about WHO REALLY creates and perpetuates these stereotypes. I hope it will be a more enlightened discussion than pastor Chin's rhetoric.
Or make me a Aryan!
@asianguy – think you're missing the point. it's not ok to make fun of or bash any race, ethnicity, religion, or identifiable group of people. i'm not asian, and i find the app a little inappropriate. i would feel the same way about a "make me mexican," "make me black," "make me muslim," "make me mentally disabled/challenged" app, or any other app that uses negative sterotypes to portray a race or group of people. if you read some of the comments to this post, it seems there are a great number of blacks who find the app inappropriate (me being one of them). it's not an asian vs. black issue. it's an ignorance issue. the maker of this app is ignorant about your race and culture – instead of glorigying the positive stereotypes people may have about asians, she chose to identify and highlight antiquated characteristics and ideas she has about what make an asian person asian. she has reduced asians to a monolithic caricature, and that's what's offensive.
I am Asian and I am not offended in the least. Every culture has "stereotypes" that are used frequently whether from current images or historical images. It's all in the context in how these images are used or perceived. I'm honestly sick of this continual racial/cultural/ethnic sensitivity. I wonder how many of these "offended Asians" laughed at a redneck joke, or a gangsta joke, or whatever. Get off your soapboxes and get over it.
Asians are more racist than whites. These people have a lot of gall to be "offended" by this stuff.
Being an Asian, I agree with you. Although I think both the races used to be equallly racist. Whites have been more successful in getting rid of racism than Asians.
1. This app was written by some developer that has nothing to do with Google.
2. People who don't like the app can give it a 1 star rating and post their comments about it for anyone considering getting the app to read right in the app store.
No one can offend them more that the offense (or meaning) they carry within themselves. If an Asian person gets a white person's features (either through cosmetic surgery !! or through a computer application) the white person does not consider it offensive.
It's offensive to me to see how these people come to US from countries without freedom of expression and they try to change our society in the direction of the countries that they left behind.
Because, obviously, "Americans" who originally came from England did not attempt to control the way Native Americans were able to live at all.
No matter how long people protest, its not going to make this stuff go away. There will be idiots, always. People who write this stuff, people who use this stuff, people who get their feelings hurt because idiots write and use this stuff. Get over it! Concentrate on what is good, noble, honorable, generous, patient... and forget about these fools. You'll feel better.
"idiots write and use this stuff"? What idiots are you talking about? those who do not listen and obey to pastor Peter Chin's revolutionary protest? He's just having his 15 min of fame trying to change our non-Asian values.
I'm Asian , and I found that pretty funny.
Sure you are.
You're probably one of those self-hating asians like all of those self-hating jews around the country.
easy with the "Jew" terms. Korea is the only Asian country to almost blindly accept Christianity, as a whole. Didn't those missionaries teach you to be tactful.
You should. I found out recently that Asians consider all other races inferior especially whites.
Greg, you may like to investigate more. Did you see how many mongoloid Asian women marry white guys?
pepsee, we know the reasons; these have little to say about what they think about the whites. Read The Tiger Mom's book!!
Pepe, I can tell you from our experience. We work with many of them in a very big corporation. One mongoloid Asian girl told us they prefer Caucasoid look over mongoloid look in guys. Personally, I think that a person's talent is more important than his/her looks.
Whites are stereotyped. Remember that song," Party like rock star"? They're obviously talking about white folks. When you hear african americans talk about the rich white man or white man this and white man that, sometimes it's stereotyping. How can asians be outraged over this app. Is it lying? There is truth as to how many asians look. Many do have a unique charateristic to their eye shape, skin colour, hair colour. And as for the grooming of the face or hair cuts or clothing, you only have to look at the history books to find some of the same characteristics. You're suppose to embrace it, not be upset about it.
You are right. What's wrong with Asian look? Yes, Asians have different look, Africans have different looks, Semites have different looks, Aryans have different looks. So? If I want to dress up to look like a mongoloid Asian, I won't choose square jawed, blue eyed, blonde Caucasoid look, I will pick the look of a mongoloid person. Are those protesters saying they don't have those features or they don't like the way they look? Would they rather look Aryan?
If the Asians find this offensive, they must think there is something in their appearance they consider offensive. How many whites would be offended if the application worked the other way around?
Why don't they find offensive and be vocal about thousands and zillions of surgeries Asians go through to widen their eyes?
I'm just going to be honest.... and it's ONLY my opinion. I'm white, married to a black woman, have two beautiful mixed children who I think have the most beautiful features. My wife and I joke about which of our kids have who's features. At times, my wife and I joke about stereotyping. My brother is white, married to a half Greek, half Panamanian woman is dark skinned. She even stereotypes her own race and whites and blacks. To be honest, stereotyping is a person's perspective. One person may say the person is brown, another black. It's all about perspective, regardless if it's right or wrong. Make fun of me all you want.
Will it be ok to have an app that makes one look like an European decent? If the answer is yes, then what's wrong with an app that makes one look like an Asian or something else? On the other hand if European look is not acceptable in the app, then other looks are not ok. I have a feeling that most people wouldn't mind if the app was for "make one European looking." By protesting these protesters are asserting that non-European looks are not cool.
Percentage wise, there have been more mass shootings (more than 5 dead) by asians than whites. Heck, of the ten most brutal murders at unervisites or schools, three were committed by yellow folk. Iowa state, virginia tech, and that college in california eun by koreans last year. Lots of mass murder for only 5 percent of the population.
You're completely wrong. Most mass murderers and serial killers are white Anglo Saxon in ancestry and male. The young Asian man who shot up VA Tech was an anomaly. John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Ed Gein, Charles Manson, David Berkowitz, Gary Ridgway, Albert Fish, Jeffrey Dahmer and Robert Picton. All white and all of them serial killers.
First of all, Manson didn't kill anyone. Second, he is correct, percentage-wise. For the percentage of the population, there are a lot of these committed by Orientals. Same with Blacks. Percentage-wise, Whites are practically pacivists compared to minorities.
i'm asian and kinda upset but i'm not gonna go out and kill a bunch of kids like white people
You can't be serious???
Remember how many schools were targeted by asians.
other than V-Tech
1
the rest, white kids
@ John
Did you read Fermet's list? Did you research it? I think Google makes an app for it.
Amen!
I see their point. If they wanted to make a modern app that correctly displayed the Asian culture, they would just have a car that couldn't park, crashed into stuff, and was never washed.
You mean a BMW that can't park, crashes into things and isn't washed. Or maybe a Mercedes?
Have you seen The Fast and the Furious? Perhaps been to an import car show?
Chill out, people!
There's a bank (I think...) that's been running commercials for years making fun of half of my ancestry with a lot of ludicrous depictions of Vikings. And though it's faded now, when I was a kid in the sixties, there were a lot of televised stereotypes of the other half of my ancestry, Germans.
Getting all bent out of shape about this sort of stuff is just childish.
The headline is a bit strange. It's not a Google app. Google didn't write it.
I totally hear what everyone is arguing, but who the hell is Pastor Peter Chin???
Isn't he a Family Guy character?
A preacher who can't decide which body part he is?
There's a link in the article bro
Thanks Tu, but it was a rhetorical statement , as in who the hell cares if Pastor Peter Chin approves or disapproves. I think he's trying to attach his name to garner some of the limelight. A little research will show that his father owned a store on the south side of Chicago selling hats. I'm pretty sure he was not living or contributing to that community. In fact, I bet he lived out in the suburbs. So while his family was selling junk to the low income families, he is now taking their dollars by "preaching" the gospel.
This is a common thing within big cities. Most of the stores that cater to African-americans are owned by Koreans. They are not reinvesting that money in those communities or helping the people. Now, Pastor Peter Chin is an advocate for equality?
Please..total BS
@ mltngunmtl
part of the POC community..and what??? I'm talking about one person, and you're lumping everyone together. I can assure you no actions where taken where the store was or is nor will it. And why did he not start his gospel down in that community instead of moving away??
Yeah dummy!
Cool story bro!
Honey Boo-Boo - WHITE
TAN MOM – USED TO BE WHITE
PARIS HILTON – WHITE
JERSEY SHORE CAST – WHITE
BERNE MADOFF – WHITE
let them have their little AP
Adam Lanza - white
James Holmes - white
These applications are very dangerous.
Michael Jackson used the "make me white" app, and look where that got him.
hey bro, nobody talks about the king
The Thing of Pop?
What I want to know is WHO are the people downloading this app? Isn't emulation of the Asian features a form of flattery or envy?
It's all in the perception I suppose.
Not when it's Yellowface...
and the fact that not all asians have slanted eyes, wear rice paddy hats and have fu manchu mustaches. It's like saying "wouldn't a 'make me american app' which makes people appear morbidly obese be an appreciation of the american physique?" The answer would be "No" because it's an untrue stereotype that has very little basis in reality.
I guess the " make me white" app morphs you into some toothless loser with an assault rifle and a bunch of dead squirrels hanging from his belt or somethng.
wow, im embarrased for you really, how pathetic are you? someone made some stupid app that people want to get their feeling hurt about, and then because you obviously are SOO against it, you make some rediculous ignorant comment about white people as a whole....Who the hell do you think you are? NINJA girl, your no better than the person who made the app, or the person who decided to get their feelings hurt and mark it racist. You really are disgusting!
you mean the "Make me West Virginian" app. $2.99 or free trial with ads
One bad stereotype deserves another?
Will people learn how to spell and properly use contractions? Now, that's embarrassing.
I just created a new app. It's called "Make me European (white American)"
Frog eyes, humongous nose, body fur, missing upper lip, pink/red skin, and strange smell.
I like my body fur, and what's so bad about smelling like beer?
don't get defensiff. jest go to the offence and make some app for the krauts
So you're saying the person who created the app is German.
I won't even sweat this. As much as I hear white people bchng about changing demographics, I figure I'll just wait a few years. 'Just like the GOP found out this past Nov. sooner or later all the people whites love to laugh at may turn a few tables.
There is a reason why there are no longer jokes about African Americans in full visibility and there are with Asians. It took African American's years to fight back insensitive and racist stereotypes and corporate American is fearful to push that button. However, Asians have always been the "turn the other cheek" people and thus have always taken unfair stereotypes. But the younger Asian American's are not from that culture and are not going to turn the other cheek and who could blame them. What happened to the American way about standing up for yourself?
It's called showing respect and not assuming what is OK for someone else.
Like
Has anyone not asked the question, what is wrong with our youth today and the lack of respect they have for others? Well, you have to look no further than here. Many of those children are now immature adults.
->neal.it's the exact opposite.young adults these days see racism as it is.we are not ingrained with the response our parents had, which was mostly racism on all sides towards the other ethnic groups.We are witnessing the come-about of 2 generations of adults and young adults, who have had tv, the internet, our whole lives....and gradually, our mixing pot, well, it will fufill its greatest promise.We have the internet and social media to speak out, and it is happening.
@kmillathathrilla – I think you've misunderstood Neal, I believe he's speaking out against the developer of this app, not supporting it!
Screw this politically correct stuff, people need to lighten up, yes I am white, yes I have friends of every race, I grew up in a foreign country but was born in the US. I am as far from racist as you can be, have gay friends, but I also know how to laugh at myself and love laughing, so if it's funny, I laugh, anybody who tells a joke should be able to take a joke back, that's the rule. That's all I am saying.
People who can't laugh at themselves will eventually dehumorize the world.
you ever tell'em the one about "four gay guys in the hot tub" in mixed company???
I really don't see what's wrong with this app. I don't see why an Asian would get offended. Would I be offended if someone made an app that turns a person into someone of my race or ethnicity I wouldn't have any problem with it. Asians eyes don't have an epicanthal fold ..I mean that's a fact God himself made .. How on earth is that offensive??
umm... Epicanthic folds are actually quite common... and the issue is Yellowface.
If there was a "make me black" app, it would be shut down and there wouldn't be this discussion. Why is it that one can't make fun of black stereotypes but its ok to poke fun at Asians?
This is not innocent fun for laughs. It is bullying with real victims.
Bullcrap.
Man-up. Just give it time – there will be a "Make me American" or "Make me European" and you won't say a word about it, you hypocrite.
I came up with "make me look like Adam" ap. Yeah, you can put on 300 pounds, a wife beater, place some KY jelly around your lips and top it off with a KKK hat....and PRESTO! you look just like Adam
The consensus says that whites will be the minority in the near future. Lets see who whines then. Oh that's right, they are already whining reverse discrimination now.
Yup...
It's still every other ethnicity that's complaining now, however.
Another Manufactured Controversy?
Really?
Ok Asians, let’s make those Black and Mexican Apps fly and tell those who object that they are being too sensitive, lighten up. Don't forget the Hollywood white trash ones too or better yet affluent white shooter.........Take your stereotypes and shove them up your...............
Blacks and Mexicans didn't created the app. Blacks and Mexicans are not sympathizing with this. why y'all creepy eyes asians all about Blacks and Mexicans? can't you simple peasants fight with the wh1tes and leave the Blacks and the Mexicans out of this? oh I forgot, asians are the sissys of the human beings ( that is if they are).
Smoke a joint and get over it. NO ONE CARES BUT YOU! So what are you going to do, spend the rest of your life crying about it? Try to get even? Lose sleep over it? Hate people you don't know cause you think THEY hate you? Grow up. Live every day like its your last.
This app is very late-in-coming, i've been putting mustaches on people's faces in the magazines and newspapers for years .
i lol'ed at this.so im not the only one!!!
So where can I get said app?
Does it make you a bad driver, too? Don't see what all the whining is about. Looks fun!
Classic
no complaints about the russian & irish versions named in the story?
could it be that every one that tried were quite happy with the improvement
is that racist?
no, that's just another discussion
In the U.S., only Asians are still targeted to be insulted publicly. Clearly, some self claimed Asian commentators are not Asians. I feel very offended.
Christopher:
Try being a white male, or a conservative christian....Then you might know what it feels like to be "insulted publicly".
How's it "Hangin"?
Are you Asian, or Asian-American?
Seriously.
No, the only group that is officially allowed to be ridiculed is the middle aged white male.
I think every group is still targeted. It's just Asians are making a little money now and have lost their funny bone.
things you buy in Walmart are made in Chinese labor-concentration camps (similar to Nazi camps) should we flag walmart as inappropriate? or as long as it suits us as americans we are OK with that?
That's another discussion... this one is about Yellowface.
How come she doesn't make an app call Make me Black or Make me an Arab?
She would be blasted by the media, labeled as a racist, and her app business would be finished.
Hey, legally "Native American" here and I'm not offended at all. Indian school mascots don't bother me, either.
I'm Scandinavian, and I'm offended by the Minnesota Vikings, but only because they've lost four Super Bowls. They should call themselves the Minnesota WeSuckAtThisGame.
NEW GAME – Angry Asians
If instead of occupying the libraries these particular Angry Asians would go out, at least occasionally, and have fun, than maybe they would understand the ridicule of this complaint.
Just went to google play and flagged as inappropriate. Hopefully this blog and everybody contacting google that this app is hateful or abusive content will create action. Even if the intent is not to be hateful, the fact that many people interpret it to be hateful is enough for it to be considered such.
JUST LIKE Imaginary traffic signals
...and what about the people who don't interpret it to be hateful? Is it just the whiners that should get what they want? The key word is "interpret"; what was the intent? It's a clear parody and simple satire. Making stupid things like this into a big deal is crying wolf. When overly-sensitive, Oprah-watching groups start crying about ridiculous things like this, real issues get lost in the noise. Choose your battles people.
Well, I didn't know about it...but now I want it! LOL Thanks for pointing out something too absurd to be offensive!
I'm Asian... I don't care.. we DO look different... the app is just doing a stupid graphic morph. Racism is for the weak minded. If you can't get along with other races... just stay under your rock, the mature people of the world will live outside with each other.
That's what this is about, something like this belongs under their own rock.
Clearly you don't know Jack.
I would like to point out that it also did irish and russian, as well as fat and old...I am fat old and irish. get over it, its humor and steroetypes are used in humor all the time. So Since I have 3 of these aimed at me where as you have one aimed at you, and I can handle it with grace I would suggest you learn some yourself.
Your lack of self-esteem shouldn't inform how others behave.
You clearly missed the point if you believe this comment shows LACK of self-esteem.
Wherever you got an idea the person has a low self esteem is totally in OUTER SPACE.
Make me white...
Bully, terrorizer. Tormenter, but really just an inferior / scared coward. Are these fair stereotypes?
LOL......We simply don't care, but if you come up with some good ones, we may laugh with you.
Who's spreading hate and negative stereotypes now? Also, ;ast time I checked, Russians and Irish were pretty white. This app isn't using race, it's using cultural stereotypes that are so ridiculous that they are found to be humorous to all but the PC police.
Each race has certain physical characteristics and denying that and saying all races are exactly the same is ridiculous. I am Asian and the fact that this app makes your eyes more slanted does not offend me because most Asians really do have slanted eyes. Yes, the Fu Manchu mustache is outdated and no one really does it anymore but it did exist so that feature in the app does not offend me either.
What actually offends me is when people say untrue things about Asians and their culture. I think anyone of any race would become upset if someone else started running their mouth and spewed untrue things about their people and culture.
I have a chinese friend who loves making fun of how squinty Vietnimese peoples eyes are
for some reason it is OK for peoples to do it to themselves, but when making fun of another race...watch out!
But why choose a Fu Manchu mustache? It does come from another era – an era in which Asian people were commonly villainized or laughed and called little yellow men.
because ancient martial arts masters have fu manchus everyone knows that
The issue is the Yellowface, which in itself contain "untrue things about Asians and their culture."
I did realize Asians could be offended, doesn't that require a personality, and sense of self first?
Shame on you.
It's not S. Sheppard's fault. Clearly he's used the "Make me an undeniable jerk" app.
I think you Asians are too uptight. Relax...
I am Asian and I think its stupid to be offended by this
Its funny, our differences are always a source of tension and self degradation.
Its all natural, relax
I guess they took it on the Chin.
LOL
That's pretty dumb. Why don't they create a Make Me Black or Make Me Mexican app and see how long until Google takes those down? Let's see how funny those apps will be.
Well one thing is certain. There is no need in the country for a Make me a Crybaby app.
Bwahahahahahaha!!! This is HILARIOUS!!!
Asians are so funny and silly people.
Wonder where are the Make Me Black or Make Me Mexican apps?
You won't find it because African American's have stood up for themselves awhile now and Asian's have not. That's why Asian's have been an easy target. Kind of like the bully that picks on the little guy but shows more respect to the guy bigger than himself. Just a bully mentality at work here.
Yeah, make the skin dark, the lips big, and a big afro. Nothing offensive going on there, it's just all in good fun, right? Unbelievable how the "non-evil" company doesn't see this as offensive.
You've hurt my feelings. I'm going to pout now.
Don't you have anything better to get butt hurt over? C'mon I am AZN and I thought this was funny. Lighten up people!
Don't get so upset. Your white friends won't get worried and stop pulling their eyes to the sides and laughing at your entire race, and they always praise your willingness to let them walk all over you.
you really ought to find something else to occupy your time, because your comments are sad, and really i dont think im alone in saying this....why dont you quit pretending that you have something of substance to say, you dont, and perhaps you ought to find some silly teen chat sight, I bet they would appreciate you and your immature comments.
thank god someone has a sense of humor!
What's AZN?
As long as the internet gives silly sensitive people a voice to complain and possibly gain a few seconds of fame in an article like this people will always try to capitalize as much as they can. Everyone who reads this will now go look for the app the same way I am doing as i type this comment. And everyone who is named in this article complaining is now famous for about 12 seconds because this article was written in the first place. Honestly its not even that serious
It's not their job to decide that.
Where's the Make Me Obama app?
Really? Comments like that from either side are just so sad and tired.
Agreed, where is it? I'd like to be tall, brilliant, cool and be able to drain some 3 pointers too.
No duh. I'd buy that App.
Make me the President. Rich. Successful. Smooth with the ladies. I am a Republican but give the man his props.....
It's under development, alongside the "Make Me an Ignorant Racist Loser" app.
How is that even remotely racist, Make Me Obama? Good God I hate libs.
Not being Asian I can't say if it offends me or not but I WILL say it sucks and is too inferior and app for anyone to give serious attention to anyway. You can see the top part of the girl's head still
stop whining !!!!!!!!!!!!! gd cry babies.
Well then make "Make me Caucasian" app. We are not going whine.
Well, I doubt you never got teased for being white or having "Anglo" features, whatever that means. For many Asians who grew up being taunted for having certain features, I can understand why it would be offensive. I'm wondering why there is not similar application for say – make me a black or jew.
Huh? I thought that all apps were invented and designed by Asians.
In simple language the app is offensive to many because historically (and still presently) in our culture some folks mock East Asian and chinese features with negative intent. The sensitivity springs from a rejection of such mocking. It is hard to know what a person's intention is, but when you do something that is traditionally a hot potato issue you are for sure playing with fire. It is like doing a Prophet Muhammed Cartoon or Black Face. Whites typically do not have these particular issues because they were on the opposite side of our joint problematic history. Lets work to work things through...
Well said.
National Socialists did so much harm in the 20th, and with their divide and conquer great society from the 1960s being more damaging than ever, it looks like we won't stop them from messing up the 21st either.
Fight back by being an individualist, judging by character, 47% of Americans are already there.
is having slanted eyes a stereotype for asians? i'm pretty sure it's a physical attribute that all (eastern) asians have. i don't think darker skin is a stereotype of african-americans. \
No it isn't a stereotype because it isn't subjective or prejudice. It is a physical fact.
both my families, berlinsand howels and hollands , scandinavians, have that cartilage that appears to slant our eyes, wha t f are youse skies trying to talk about..its snowleopard eyes
Look, I'm Vietnamese, and this thing doesn't offend me one bit. Why? Because who cares? We live in a society where we all have to play the victim for no reason. Do I think it's a good or classy app? No, but it doesn't bother me. Just get over it people, there is real racism in the world, we could put our efforts to better use than crying about a ridiculous app.
Divide and conquer, it works very well for 'dem, the last election proves it. Individualism is how we defeat this National Socalist enemy but they own the media and our education system, along with many districts in this country where their work sure does match Webster's definition of genocide.
You do realize you are labelling one party as divisive and exclusive, despite the fact that they include a far greater demographic diversity. Diversity is a sure way to ensure the qualities of inclusion are being respected.
Would it be racist to make a Make me Black app, where it adds fried chicken to one hand, watermelon in the other, gold teeth, and a welfare check? Yes? I don't see how its different from the Asian or Indian app.
I wonder what the black community would say if there was an app that could turn a non-black, black? OMG, I think there would be a bigger stink being raised. Let the offended ones express some feeling. The blacks have been jumping up and down over the smallest issues and one comes along for the Asians and a lot of people belittle their offense. I can see why one would be offended – afterall I get offended when a black mocks white appearances and behavior.
you might want to rethink using terms like "the blacks" and "a black".
Lindsey what's wrong with these terms??? Most black people I know use those terms in that way on a regular basis.
Take an honest unbiased look at the districts that many people of color live in. The great society trap would be just as effective on any "type" of person as they define us. Making an honest commitment to individualism is the best option to defeat these National Socialists. Great Americans like Allen West have put their life at risk for individualism, respect and honor thier sacrifice.
Please don't offer advice you can't follow yourself...
No worries Joe, I know my moral obligation to vote Republican and vote straight ticket Republican, but thanks for your concern. I do all I can to defeat the National Socialist Democrat party that started the klan and now the great society that has been even worse than slavery.
make me British, make me Icelandic, make me finnish, swedish, Danish, Zulu, pygmy, White Goatherder
Well, why don't the asians make an App that would make a white person out of a Chinese person? It can start by giving them blond hair and a bigger nose. lol
I'm offended because the app sucks so bad. The girl in the pic doesn't look asian at all lol
It's fun reading the comments on this thread. None of the people who actually think the app is racist can spell properly. I think that probably tells you something.
Attacking those that think differently than you using misinformation doesn't help anyone. Once again someone tries to use divisiveness and exclusion to ignore the people at the heart of this story. Ignoring them won't make them go away... Why would you want them to, anyways?
I noticed that op... the one's whining have horrible grammar and spelling.
Asian-Americans speak out against Google app they call offensive...... All of them ???? Every single Asian-American ???? Wow, that's allot.... and rather impossible.
I got picked on in grade school. I wasn't asian, black, or indian; I was skinny. So bigger kids beat the crap outa me. I guess I should be offended by all the "make me skinny" ads for diet plans, right. Just sayin'. Git over it, folks.
Daniel Tosh, this is when you come in and say "IS IT RACIST".
The headline should be "some" Asians call this app offensive. Clearly not all Asians are so thin skinned to be offended by a phone toy.
This is hilarious, since Asians are the most racist people on Earth.
I'm half Asian and half Caucasian and I lived in Asia for half of my life. When I moved to the States in high school, many students would ask me if I ever wore those hats (because you know, I worked on a rice farm) and why my eyes were so small...which is weird because my eyes are from my white side... Anyway, it reminds of those embarrasing moments of when I moved back to the States. I don't like to be called out because of the way I look. Nobody does. Thats where I feel the problem is. Yes most people don't take stupid things like this app seriously, but some do.
KellyJo, I think half-Asians are the best-looking people in the world!