GQ editor on Asian women

[Faithless]

I see Reappropriate caught this (http://www.reappropriate.com/?p=691) sad piece of crap too.

GQ EDITOR RIPPED FOR SLUR (http://www.nypost.com/seven/05142007/gossip/pagesix/gq_editor_ripped_for_slur_pagesix_.htm)

May 14, 2007 -- ON the heels of Don Imus, GQ editor Jim Nelson is drawing fire over his letter to readers in the May issue, where he uses the phrase "Asian whores" twice. In discussing the hit DVD "The Secret," which preaches the power of positive thinking, Nelson's letter coaxes, "visualize what you want (an Alfa Romeo? Leather pants? An Asian whore?), think positively, and 'the universe will . . . make it happen for you.'" Janice Lee, deputy executive director of the Asian American Journalists Association, told Page Six, "It is appalling that an editor would find it acceptable to use such racist and sexist language. That GQ is considered a 'men's magazine' is not an excuse." A spokesperson for the Asian American Justice Association told Page Six, "The use of the term 'Asian whore' was unnecessary. To racialize the term 'whore' is completely irrelevant in this context. It's disturbing." Nelson ends his letter with a "thumbs up" to any reader whose wishes are met. "If it's an Asian whore, congrats. But please don't make a DVD about it." Nelson told Page Six, "I think if you read you'll see I'm skewering a Western attitude that one ought to find noxious. The notion that Westerners can have and exploit whatever they want."

[eos]

he couldn't "exploit" russian whores? fuck i hate that word.

[monkeygone2]

I actually got that GQ issue last week for the Ichiro Suzuki interview, and the Best $500 Suits article.
Of course, I saw Jim Nelson's letter.

Nelson told Page Six, "I think if you read you'll see I'm skewering a Western attitude that one ought to find noxious. The notion that Westerners can have and exploit whatever they want."
Nice try, but Jim Nelson's full of shit.

Nelson was making fun of the narcissistic self-help DVD The Secret. He was mocking The Secret's philosophy that if you think positive thoughts, the universe will "rearrange itself for you" & you'll receive whatever you ask for.

"Asian whore" was just a cheap punchline.

His defense, "I'm skewering a Western attitude.....The notion that Westerners can have and exploit whatever they want", has nothing to do with the "Asian whore" line.

[mr. x]

see when I go out and fuck an asian prostitute I'm doing it ironically, inside I'm thinking "oh God just another white guy fucking an asian prostitute I'm SOOOO original"

[Faithless]

Nelson needs to get figuratively skewered. :rolleyes:

A comment from the Huff Po (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2007/05/14/gay-or-asian-whore_e_48481.html), regarding Nelson trying to back peddle on his comment:

... it doesn't quite sound like that's what he meant, unless Page Six left out the part where he said, "The Secret panders to the the terrible, noxious consumerism that's so rampant in Western society and to which GQ is violently opposed!" Barring that, it sort of seems like Nelson penned what he thought was a funny list epitomizing a male wish list, and cracked a joke that fell way flat. Either way, we look forward to the apology in next month's magazine; as for Details, we haven't read it since it called women like Rose McGowan and Scarlett Johanssen "fat" in its delightful "Why Fat Is Back In Hollywood" (http://men.style.com/details/features/full?&id=content_4622) feature from last August, illustrated with a photo of a pig in heels (http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2006/08/15/details/index.html). It's the little things.

[TB4000]

Oh, those wacky men's mags.

[Deadpool]

What a loser.
Ok, so he doesn't like "The Secret"
But what kind of person do you have to be to mock the act of thinking positive and believing in yourself.

[buttermilkwise]

What a loser.
Ok, so he doesn't like "The Secret"
But what kind of person do you have to be to mock the act of thinking positive and believing in yourself.

I believe he could be referring to the meta-physical aspect of the so called 'The Secret'. He might as well at the same time make fun of Buddhism because alot of the metaphysical ideas closely correlate with concepts such as mindfulness, karma, vippaka, through right action, right thought etc...

In Joseph Campbell's words 'Follow your bliss', it's the call to destiny by following the white rabbit.

[Deadpool]

I believe he could be referring to the meta-physical aspect of the so called 'The Secret'. He might as well at the same time make fun of Buddhism because alot of the metaphysical ideas closely correlate with concepts such as mindfulness, karma, vippaka, through right action, right thought etc...

In Joseph Campbell's words 'Follow your bliss', it's the call to destiny by following the white rabbit.

Im biased. I actually believe in that kinda stuff.
Anyone watch "What the bleep do we know"?
That movie really open up eyes.

[applehead]

well. i happened to read this issue because
my sister is a huge stephen colbert fan and
he's on the cover. and again with the word
"whore"?
can you men come up with anything better?

what's more embarassing is the editor's explanation.
you work for GQ. it's not the epitome of literary or social thought. there was no deep reason behind him
using the term asian whores. he thought it would be funny.
and it wasn't. just say you made a mistake and apologize.
don't back peddle and embarass yourself further.
whore. can't stand that word.

what if he said asian call girls? would that have pissed you guys off too? just wondering.

[TB4000]

^LOL, I did read it also and it is kind of blatant. Basically associating asian with payment for sex.

[moser]

what if he said asian call girls? would that have pissed you guys off too? just wondering.

Personally, yes - he could have just said call girls like the whore thing here.