Is this supposed to be funny or offensive?

Here is the much talked about controversial photo of the Spanish basketball team who defended that the photo is not meant to be offensive. What do you think?







Here is another photo recently discovered on the website of the Spanish Tennis Federation shows the Nation's Federation Cup team making any eye-slant gesture. The shot was snapped in February, prior to Spain's Federation Cup match with China.

Some people thought it's supposed to be funny and never offensive in any way. Some felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture. Some others thought it's racism. It’s not the first time Spanish sports has encountered questions over racist attitudes, and the photo comes at a time when Madrid is vying to host the Olympics.

Here is an excerpt of comments made by some on the Daily News 2008 Olympics

fourrr Aug 13, 2008 2:38:12 PM Report Offensive Post I am a young american black man, and I registered to this site just to make a comment, which is that anyone who thinks or thought that Spain's photo wasn't racist is delusional, I hadn't even read the commentary, when I came upon the photo, and I was disgusted by what I saw, those guys lack intelligence & maturity. They were given the honor of representing their country in the Olympics, and have made complete ***** of themselves, this resonates across the World. Their Stupidity is over the top, and as for Jose Calderon of the Toronto raptors, his statement about it being intended as affectionate is just STUPID!

kingbenny Aug 13, 2008 4:45:51 PM Report Offensive Post Check the Spanish Newspapers to see if they had a foto with the team in Black-face for the 1996 Atlanta Games! A joke that was deemed racist cost Imus his job & dignity but the Chicos get to make slantyeyes as humor with no outcry? Yao Sharpton ought to lead a Billion Man March on Spain!

2151 Aug 13, 2008 4:53:07 PM Report Offensive Post If the peoples of the world worried about more important things, common sense might actually make a comeback.

tambor Aug 13, 2008 6:53:02 PM Report Offensive Post 1Kurtsen- I understand you totally, my gf is african-american and i am caucasion. So many people give her **** about it. She had a group of black guys at her school call her a slave girl among other things. And I am not talking about a high school either, these are college men. I think anyone who thinks the Chinese or other Asians wouldn't be upset by this is a fool. Maybe things like this lead many girls over in Asia get their eyes done to look like other races. Shame. I am just glad the USA isn't involved in anyway.

joe123 Aug 14, 2008 2:17:41 AM Report Offensive Post How is this not racist?! Imaging this same photo with those players' faces and bodies painted black instead. Would that still be "funny or something but never offensive in any way"? Come on, grow some ***** and admit that your retards are racist. Good luck on your 2016 Olympics bid!