Dragon Boat West

FYI: This topic is from the Eastern Forum.  It brings up interesting discussion, and about a western team; Lard.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/135730/thread/1263663742/last-1263777251/Dragonboat+racism+in+Shanghai

Very interesting....at first glance I would be offended by having such restrictions. However, I would like to know why the Shanghai organizers are requesting that there be a minimum of 8 of the 10 paddlers to be of Chinese descent? I think having that understanding provides greater context for further discussion.

I'm not saying that there should be any justification for selecting a team based on racial guidelines...just that there has got to be more to it.

Why don't we ask?

[email protected]

All I can say is that I'm blessed the Western forum isn't nearly as tragic as the Eastern forum.

Boo to anonymous posts.

It's just Chinese people being Chinese, so it's no surprise that they're being racist blatantly.

(I'm of Chinese inheritance if you don't know.)

When you're hosting a PRIVATE party and paying the bills you can invite who ever you want.

Yes, the East Coast message board is an utter disaster.  Nothing like getting attacked by that guy Anonymous.

Please, please, please, do not associate the team that may race in Shanghai with LARD.

LARD is not sending a team to Shanghai.  Although I am one of LARD's coaches, the team that I ultimately put together will not be flying the LARD banner or wearing the LARD logo (I'll try and keep my tattoos covered).

Neither I nor Dr. Chen is trying to make any sort of political statement by participating in this race.  For me, it was simply a matter of having an opportunity to take a few paddlers from the Long Beach community to race.  Nothing more, nothing less. 

As for the paddler requirements, I have no idea why the rules are the way they are.  Calling either one of us racist is unfair - especially if you do not know us.

I read your ReadyandReach blog and I got the point that it wasn't a LARD team before that thread came out.

I don't agree with the race requirements requiring chinese people either but its already old news since Vancouver and Montreal put teams out to Shanghai only a few months ago.  http://www.dragonboatwest.net/index.php?topic=5811.0

Stop deflecting your actions with all your noise (as quote here above), and address how you -- someone who is not a racist -- can agree to participate in an event that is racially exclusionary. You'd be pretty upset if a dragonboat festival limited the amount Asians, wouldn't you? So what's the difference? How do you reconcile this event in your mind?

Devil's advocate here, I'm not saying it's right but...

You say racist, I'm sure they'll say cultural. 

Not every exclusionary practice is discrimination.  Do a search on discrimination and women's only gyms, women ski jumpers, the Taiwanese "Love Boat" program or if you're really really ambitious have a read through here (http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/bp402-e.htm) on how the courts in Canada interpret discrimination.

More to the point, how does this affect you?  Has there actually been any cuts to a Shanghai bound team based on race?

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Now if you really want something that's actually racist, here ya go:

(http://i.imagehost.org/0491/wacist.gif) (http://i.imagehost.org/view/0491/wacist)

Very good point. Do the math. If at least 8 of 10 paddlers on the water must be Chinese, what's the chances that the top 10 paddlers who try out will just happen to be 8 Chinese people and 2 non-Chinese people? Very slim.

Excluding someone based on race is wrong. Period.

Too many of you are trying hard to spin how it's OK to participate in this event.

Scott, himself, agrees that the policy is "discriminatory".

wow...old news, the horse's dead a while ago.

2 words, troll much?

I'd be interested in Scott's take on this.

If this is such a big deal to you why don't you just talk to Scott directly instead of via this forum.

I'm sure his contact information is on his blog.. or ask him in person if you're in the Long Beach paddling community.

Why don't you go pick a fight with the Olympics committee.  After all, it is required that you are a national of a country to participate.  They are discriminating based on nationality!!!  I'm going to throw a hissy fit on the forums and hope I get something productive done!

Why don't you think of it this way...whoever pays the bill makes the rules.  You aren't footing any bill - you're just a whinny little bitch on forums.  What are you even trying to accomplish?  You think the organizers are going to change the rules of the event?  You want everyone who is considering participation in the race to not in protest?  It isn't going to happen...

paddlehead: you're nothing but a loser.   The fact that you come on here, make 3 posts (which coincidently all happen to be on this topic) under a username that tries create a relationship to paddling shows what f*cktard, spineless **** you really are.