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We have further evidence that when thinking of China, one should imagine it as an alien world totally unready to deal with anyone who doesn't happen to be Han Chinese. According to the South China Morning Post, the authorities in Beijing asked nightclub owners in the Sanlitun night club district of Beijing to be somewhat selective in who they admit into bars and clubs during the Games.
Bar owners near the Workers' Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign pledges agreeing not to let black people enter their premises.This is the part of the article where we remind you that just 30 short years ago, the People's Republic of China was a fully Communist country where all movement was restricted, possession of evil things like foreign reading materials was an imprisonable no-no, and the closest the nation came to "appreciating diversity" was applauding someone from three provinces over during a workers' festival singing performance."Uniformed Public Security Bureau officers came into the bar recently and told me not to serve black people or Mongolians," said the co-owner of a western-style bar, who asked not to be named.
With that out of the way, let's also say that if this story holds up, this is not just racist, but an extra-spicy level of despicable racism that, speaking from personal experience, eclipses even prior examples of Chinese racism. (And there are some breathtaking ones out there.) This makes no sense, either: From our extensive research into the world of mature film, those of African ancestry and Asian backgrounds get along very, very well indeed.
As for the ban on Mongolians, well ... it's racist, but it's hard to blame the Chinese for that one. Genghis Khan is a handful in the champagne room, and a horrible tipper, since he thinks "burning down your hometown and salting the earth" is a suitable gratuity for a night of constant attention and catering to special demands.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Direct Genghis quote, in answer to his own question to his generals about “What is good in life”….. “The greatest pleasure in life is to drive your enemies before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those close to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.”…. Another good one… “I am the flail of God… had you not created great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me uoon you.”
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jul 18, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions
I actually know a good joke about a black patron and a Chinese bartender, but it’d read here like “Gimme a drink, C____,” with the Chinese guy responding in kind… but I decided on the Genghis Khan quote instead.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jul 18, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions
If only I were allowed to ban Mongolians. :lol: This is no surprise considering they call all non-chinese, barbarians.
by brumbinator on Jul 18, 2008 11:54 PM EDT reply actions
Not surprising, the way they treat there own people is ridiculous. It was a mistake to have Olympics there anyway. China is just a bigger Cuba with more people and resources.
by williederrick3 on Jul 20, 2008 5:56 PM EDT reply actions
China walk with me into the 21st Century. Racism not only is reprehensible, it’s not even cool anymore. I shudder to think that it was once cool, but that’s neither here nor there. Let’s remember that many of the athletes in the glamour sports in the Olympics (track and field, basketball, etc.) are black. It’s bad form to disrespect many of the great athletes. First of all, Chinese, clean up your air, then we’ll go from there. Racism sucks. Screw the Chinese government on this point.
by the Bradfather on Jul 21, 2008 2:10 AM EDT reply actions
Blacks are not banned in Beijing bars.
The pledge in question uses the word 黑帮份å, which means "gangster", not black people. The first character in the word for gangster does mean black, but this entire article is based on a very bad translation.
The pledge actually asks them to not serve "gangsters and prostitutes" not "blacks and Mongolians."
by lazybonz on Jul 24, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions
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