Moore attacks CNN network, spews anti-South Asian sentiments

The News

Moore attacks CNN network, spews anti-South Asian sentiments

Michael Moore confronts CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about some health care facts reported by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and the network’s soft coverage of the American war in Iraq and asks for an apology.

Too Sense, who posted this earlier, reported:

I agree with most of the things Moore says during his argument with Blitzer, but I’ve watched the end several times and it really looks like he’s affecting an Indian accent and mocking CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s name. The moment is 10:30 into the clip.

There appears to be a rising level of acceptability for ridiculing people of South Asian descent, judging by the leaked Obama staff memo and the racist Simpsons Movie marketing campaign. The national conversation over immigration and outsourcing, and anti-immigrant crusaders like Lou Dobbs are likely going to turn their focus and racial hostility towards South Asians. Racial stereotypes and epithets directed towards Latinos have already reached a frightening level of acceptability in the Media.

How long before the same is true of South Asians?

Posted at 10:00 AM, Jul 10, 2007 in Permalink | View Comments

Comments

So mispronouncing Sanjay Gupta's name is "spewing anti-South Asian sentiments"? Wow. What an absurd and sensationalist headline, a far cry from TooSense's original header ("Michael Moore Pwns Blitzer...Then Makes Fun Of Dr. Gupta's Name?"). You make it seem like Moore went off on a Michael Richards-esque rant, when nothing could be further from the truth!

At the end of the clip Moore pretty much prononuces Gupta the same way he had earlier in the clip, except with more emphasis. Perhaps the tone is mocking... in the same way someone might say "George Booosh!" to express a sense of derision for our President. As an Indian-American I think this is a non-issue, and many of my fellow South Asians do as well: http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/004559.html I usually enjoy Racewire's commentary, but such sensationalist headlines do a disservice to your otherwise sound reports.

Thanks Adi. loved the comments on your site.
Ok, so Maybe 'spew' connotes a barrage of sentiments. But a dis only has to be made once and only slightly to border racism. And I'm more for thinking that Moore would seek to undercut Gupta by mocking his nationality. Further, I don't think Moore has a strong racial analysis that would put him in the clear. While he featured people of color in "Sicko", he was unable to even raise the question of how one's ethnicity colors his/her political, health experience in this country. So sure, the headline might be flashy, but we must interrogate indicators of a problem. It would be like him saying "Yo yo yo, Jesse JackSuuuoooon!" like he was throwing up West-side. You know?

come on , A college drop-out is mocking a neurosurgeon . Even if it was true it should be none of our concern.