A small Philadelphia area controversy makes Gothamist wonder the WIIWINY (What If It Were In New York) factor: A young Asian-American is trying to get a 55 year-old cheese steak shop named Chink's to change its name because it's culturally insensitive. Chink's is actually a nickname for the shop's first owner, Samuel Sherman:
"He had slanty eyes...and the kids started calling him 'chink,' " Mildred Sherman said. Many people didn't learn of his real name until they attended his funeral in 1997. Sherman said the nickname is etched on her husband's gravestone. Sherman called the controversy "ridiculous. We are Jewish. We're far from racist. We have Chinese customers," Sherman said. "My husband was well-loved by everybody."
>Now, aside from people's basic ignorance during the 40s and 50s when Samuel Sherman was called "Chink" (and ignore up until now, what with people calling Gothamist "Gook" and "Jap"), Gothamist has issues with brand new establishments propagating stereotypes. However, since Chink's has been a local establishment since 1948, its name has never meant to be a specific slur against the Chinese, and doesn't have its employees wearing coolie hats or use its name ironically, we feel that having the name changed might be too much to ask.
Perhaps some information about the origin of the name and dangers of racial slurs could be posted in the store. It's a thorny issue. "Chink" is an offensive word, no doubt about it. However, while name-change instigator, Susannah Park's theory that the name never caused much fuss because Chink's is in a white neighborhood, coupled with the fact that Asians are not outspoken might hold water, Gothamist ventures to think it's slightly overreactive based on what we know about the store. The article was from January; if anyone knows latest, let us know. [Via reader Matt R.]
Chink's had been voted "Best Cheesesteak" in Philadelphia.
Darkie Toothpaste, a toothpaste brand with a black man with dazzling white teeth, was changed to "Darling" when bought by Colgate-Palmolive.
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Oh my word. I happen to be acquaintances with a young UPenn student who matches that name, age and neighborhood. I would not be surprised if this was the same girl. I will ask around and see if I can report back...
I've been following this on: angryasian.com
Let's say my grandfather's nickname was Nigger cause well, his skin was kind of dark, and he named his restaurant Nigger's. Having the name changed would be asking too much? Granted, the place probably wouldn't have survived since NAACP would have been all over that shit a long time ago. But why is that? Why is it that Chink's is OK... what because they're not Jews and not racist? Nevermind the nickname came from the fact that the dude looked like a "chink."
And I'm not sure keeping the name "Nigger's" then having some signs as to how the name came about or how racial slurs are wrong helps anything.
And what if the restaurant had been called "Nigger" because Samuel Sherman was of darker complexion? I think they would have changed the name a long time ago.
I know, I'm not saying that having a restaurant with a racial slur is right, but it seemed to me, in this instance, that the name grew to mean something beyond the slur. I went through the same process of thinking for this situation as well, using "nigger" and "kike," both of which would be removed within ten seconds, I think. The thing is that "chink" has other meanings, like it can also mean a dent, like "a chink in the armor," and that left me feeling that interpretations could be defined more loosely. I don't know, it's hard to say. I'm curious what a judge or other group has to say about this.
oooooh- that's a tough one. ideally, having a racial slur as the name of your cheese-steak business is not the way to go. and yet, you also need to recognize that historic sensibilities were different than the sensibilities and sensitivities today. i mean, if you remove the name you might do damage to this historic business- would replacing the steak place with a starbucks really improve the neighborhood, or the collective good of the citizens? i'm not sure.
I think the fact that the reason people called him "chink" (I have a hard time even reading that word without shuddering) is because "He had slanty eyes...and the kids started calling him 'chink,'" makes it completely unacceptable. Sure, perhaps the name has grown beyond the racial slur, but the origin of the name, the original basis for the name is racial stereotype even if directed towards a non-asian.
why not just take this absurdity to the next level? this stooge probably thinks he can sue Spic N Span because that's offensive. Or I could say that you need to find a new word for crackers because that's offensive to whites. Of all the problems facing our country, the fact that people can get so offended by such nonsense is proof that we are doomed.
Come on, Sam. In the world of ridiculous hypotheticals, the idea that your grandfather's nickname was Nigger has got to be one of the more improbable. What we have here is a situation where the restaurant owner's name, to all intents and purposes, was Chink. That's what everybody called him, that's what he called himself. And I'd say that people have the right to name their own restaurants after themselves. To my certain knowledge, no one's name is Nigger or Kike. That's the difference.
While I agree that the name should stay since the place is not some Asian theme establishment, it still bothers me that the usage of the word "chink" is some how more socially acceptable.
Just in the first line of the article on philly.com about this issue... "TO SUSANNAH Park and most any Asian-American, the word "chink" is as hurtful as the n-word is to African-Americans."
What makes it acceptable to use the work "chink" in an article but the word nigger has to be referred to as "n-word", they are both a derogatory terms... it just bothers me.
Forgetting for a moment the merits of the case, the widowed owner shot herself in the foot.
Regardless of whether or not it's true, why would you offer up that the nickname originated from having slanty eyes?
Secondly, if she wants to keep the name, then don't complain that the business might go out of business. While a name change from Chinks won't probably keep people away, leaving the name would.
As a "cracker" could you folks educate me as to whether "gringo" is an offensive racial slur? The reason I ask is because I see it thrown around alot, including in today's NYT sports section re: Mexico vs USA. And there are definately restaurants with it in, or as, the title.
PS- I think it is- just checking.
Well, I'm not an Asian-American, but Jen is. Let's go to the source, here: is "chink" "as hurtful as the n-word is to African-Americans"? I've always considered the n-word to be uniquely hurtful, much more than any other racial slur, and I suspect that Susannah Park is indulging in a little hyperbole here. Indeed, in the blog entry you mention "gook", which I would consider to be more hurtful than "chink". If there's an obvious worse slur, I don't see how "chink" can be as bad as it's being made out to be here. In fact, the very fact that philly.com feels comfortable printing "chink" but elides "nigger" as "the n-word" would seem to imply that the two terms are not equally offensive.
The point about degrees of offense is not a minor one, either. In general, people have the right to offend potential customers. Only when the level of offense reaches nigger-like proportions should some kind of societal censorship take place.
Isn't Susannah Park stereotyping Asians by saying they are not outspoken?
This was before Gothamist's time, but when I was a youngster there was a Denny's-style restaurant chain called Sambo's that felt compelled to change their name. I think they went out of business anyway.
Seems to me Chink's is in a no-win situation if they keep the name. The controversy is never going to go away and they'll always be on the defensive explaining themselves. They should be proactive and change to Sammy's Cheese Steaks, "The Best Friggin' Steak Sandwich in Philly". You want the focus to be on the food not on a name that some find offensive.
"Ethnic slur" complaints are usually brought by people who have experienced very little (if any) discrimination or ethnic hostility in their lives, but desperately want to. I can't think of how many times I've been called something unpleasant - an adult lets it go. The notion that "somebody" should do "something" about unpleasant language is childish and indicates someone who desperately craves sympathy above all else.
I found it very amusing that Mrs. Sherman said "...We are Jewish. We're far from racist...", from which I infer a THEREFORE, i.e. "We are Jewish, therefore we're far from racist." Which is, obviously, a racist thing to say. Ha.
why do you think there are minor and major offenses? why would philly.com be afraid to use "nigger"? a slur is a slur and you should not make excuses for one group and not another.
as for this being a Jewish establishment, would they consider changing it to Frugal's or Deicide's or Hitler's? No way! then why is it ok to call it Chink's?
Jenny, of course there are minor and major offenses. Philly.com is afraid to use "nigger" -- and not afraid to use "chink" -- precisely because using one is more offensive than using the other. "A slur is a slur"? Well, in that case, the sign should stay up -- if the owners want it to, of course -- because you obviously can't ban all slurs from all signage. Or would you want to ban Heeb magazine, too?
It's OK to call this place Chink's just because that's the name of the guy who founded it. End of story. Now, maybe the controversy won't go away, and maybe they'd be well advised to change their name anyway, and maybe it was not a smart thing, in retrospect, to give their shop the name they gave it. But all of that should be their decision. Who are you to tell them what to do?
This whole story actually reminds me of Marty Markowitz whose "Fuhgeddaboudit" sign angered some motorists, who saw it as an anti-Italian stereotype. Come on, people! Get a life!
it's okay because it was the owner's name. it's on his grave for christsake. it's not like he or his family is going around using "Chink" to offend Asians. that's what people called him, he has no control over it. Oh and what a surprise, the guy has to die before anyone raises a stink over it, how cowardly.
BTW, it disgusts me that the PC police don't get all pissy when someone uses any of the following: White trash, honkey, snowflake, cracker, gringo, etc. These slurs are socially acceptable. A complete double-standard. It's okay to call someone trash, but a made-up word like 'chink' is evil. WHATEVER!
Oh, I'm pretty sure they're allowed to keep their name. There is no law that says you can't be un-PC.
Admittedly, there are varying degrees of sensitivity when it comes to these words. For instance, it'd probably be okay for the place to be called "Coon's", if the owner was known to be a good hunter. Coon is another racial slur, but not nearly as strong as nigger.
But that argument doesn't apply in this case at all. Because, with the hunter, there's a non-racial-slur reason why he's got that name. Whereas in this case, the owner admits that the name *is* based on a racial slur, then goes on to say that they're not racist. I mean, that's ignorance right there. Maybe she has no ill intentions, but that's still a strikingly hypocritical.
Mr. Core, I think it is safe to assume that the word "chink" is offensive, and not some meaningless "made-up word". I do agree with you that the restaurant should be allowed to call itself whatever it wants.
With that said, I'd just like to say some slurs are in fact more offensive than others. Whether or not that is fair, it's a cultural fact. I called "whitey" or some of the similar epethets in a derogatory manner at least once a week. And you know what, it doesn't hurt at all. But when I even hear the n-word, i feel pained in that hurt sort of a way even though I'm not black. Why? Because the n-word is in fact divisive and hurtful word in American english. Double standards are a fact of life.
i think that as long as they didnt originally use the word "chink" with malice, then the names fine. its part of their shop history now and they dont make a big deal out of their name. theres no big sign with a yellow face and squinty eyes hanging over their door, or a rickshaw out back. so in the context of their own history, i think the names fine.
veritech - shut up you chink!
wait, i'm allowed to call another asian person a chink, right?
"BTW, it disgusts me that the PC police don't get all pissy when someone uses any of the following: White trash, honkey, snowflake, cracker, gringo, etc. These slurs are socially acceptable. A complete double-standard. It's okay to call someone trash, but a made-up word like 'chink' is evil."
HarDcore, I'm not white and I do find those terms offensive and cringe-worthy, and have pointed out how racist and classist they are when people use them. I don't think that makes me a member of the "PC police," just someone who has her eyes and ears open to others putting people down to make themselves feel better.
By the way, what kind of idiot lets himself be called Chink his entire life? Didn't he notice how insulting and hostile it was? Those kids weren't calling him Chink because of their overwhelming admiration for Chinese people.
re: tien | see...that was with malice. shut up you coinslot. i think that while society is slowly coming to terms with racial awareness, theres also the risk of being overly sensitive and too damn p.c. they (the cheese steak shop) are not promoting a negative image of asians by having their name as "chinks" (which admittedly did have a racially derogatory past). at this point in time, their name is just that...a name. its disconnected from its derogatory past and is just associated with um...philly cheese steaks now. getting pissy over their name wont change how people perceive asians.
eebmore - i didn't mean "chink" is meaningless (on the contrary, if someone calls my asian friends a chink then i'll try to knock the guy out), i'm saying that it is a made up insult. compared to calling someone trash, which is an actual insult. before the word "chink" was a slur, if you called someone that they would think "huh?" at the same time calling someone trash has been insulting since the dawn of the english language I suppose.
oh, and is it okay for chinese people to call each other chinks? like veritech and i have? and if we know each other (like we do) is that acceptable?
Does "chink" have to be as offensive as "nigger" before it can be taken seriously? What bothers me more is how nonchalant people are about the word "chink."
Sherman's nickname was derived from a racial slur, regardless of whether or not Sherman accepted the nickname. It's not just someone's name, like, say Mary, nor is the word meant to imply something else. If someone Asian had dark skin and was nicknamed "Darkie," would it be okay for him to open up Darkie's Barbecue since a) it's his nickname and everyone calls him that b) "darkie" could imply something other than skin colour?
And historical sensibilities are not exactly an excuse. People were less enlightened about Jews in the early 20th century, so I guess that made the Holocaust excusable? Or killing off the Native Americans?
And asking Jen as an Asian to comment on behalf of her race...whatever.
"By the way, what kind of idiot lets himself be called Chink his entire life? Didn't he notice how insulting and hostile it was? Those kids weren't calling him Chink because of their overwhelming admiration for Chinese people."
If he didn't find it "insulting and hostile" then it wasn't. Not everyone who uses a word that is considered a 'slur' (especially kids) intends it as one. 48 years ago those kids likely called him that because he -looked- Chinese, not because they hated Chinese people. Granted, the word was probably common because racism was more 'acceptable' and open then, but I think it's a mistake to attach contemporary interpretations to something that was said so long ago, and to someone else for that matter. Instead of assuming he was an "idiot" for "letting" himself be called that, perhaps it actually was an innocent nickname in intent and perception, despite his slanted eyes or whatever.
2nd - i think that sherman would have had to open up "chink's asian cuisine" for your example to apply.
I'm reminded that Alberto Fujimori, the erstwhile president of Peru, was called "El Chino" by the Peruvians, despite the fact that he was Japanese, not Chinese. The nickname was in no way personally derogatory, even if "Chino" can be used in a derogatory manner.
Solution: Chink's gets to keep the name if that means all chinks get discounts on cheesesteaks.
I'm a darker-skinned asian. While living in Ireland for a summer, some people saw it fit to call me "nigger", even though obviously I wasn't black. If I had grown up in Dublin and allowed people to call me "nigger" -- even in jest -- does that make it acceptable for me to later in life start a pizza restaurant called "nigger's"?
Susannah Park has a right to say that she finds the restaurant's name offensive. It doesn't matter what Sam thought or what his intentions were at one time. Susannah is saying that it is no longer acceptable for people to ignore that the word is a facile method of marking Asian Americans as inferior to those who are empowered to use it.
I can agree that other words have more weight when it comes to the brutal violence associated with them. What bothers me is this relativism excuses its usage because of the supposed innocuousness of an asian slur - comparatively. The fact of the matter is that Asian Americans have been murdered or brutally attacked after hearing the word, "chink" directed at them. The word can't be described merely as a playful nickname to those individuals.
As for Peru and Fujimori, maybe the US is more sensitive to race related matters - as well it should be. If an Asian American ever gets elected President of the United States, or for that matter, an African American, we'll see how s/he might feel about receiving a slur as a nickname. Until that day comes, when a minority can look upon the racial issue from such heights, I believe Susannah's seemingly small point about a restaurant sign has incredible merit.
"BTW, it disgusts me that the PC police don't get all pissy when someone uses any of the following: White trash, honkey, snowflake, cracker, gringo, etc. These slurs are socially acceptable. A complete double-standard."
It's not a double standard.
Those terms are not socially acceptable.
Perhaps you should join this PC police.
"Chino" used by spanish speakers, at least in Texas, where I grew up, was not a slur, it was a descriptive term--"this person looks asian" is what it really meant, or it also meant "that asian person" and a good number of mexicans, in fact, have that nickname. I heard both chino and chink growing up, and chink was ALWAYS used in a derisive manner, but I never heard chino used that way. "Negro [said with a spanish accent]" or "moreno (meaning "dark) was also used in a descriptive, non negative way, as a nickname. My brother, who is very dark was often called those things. He was also called nigger. Guess which word angered him and which two words did not. As for gringo- it really wasn't used in a way that at all approached the negative connatation of other terms for whites. I was told growing up that when the anglos (never considered a slur) arrived in Texas, they were often observed by the native Texans singing a song that included the words "where the green grass grows" and somehow the nickname came out of that. With "gringo" it really depends on how it is said and I don't mean that it was just ok for anglos to call each other gringo, it really was used by many mexicans towards anglos in a non-derogatory way and i don't think i ever saw or heard a gr- i mean white person take offense to that term. It wasn't the same as haunky, white trash, cracker, etc. By the way, cracker is a term used with pride by white Floridians who have been in the state for generations. as for Chink's--the name should go.
They could keep the name if they change the origin of the owner's name. He was called "Chink" because he was clumsy with the dishes. Then, they should start using distressed plates to drive the point home.
Otherwise, they should come up with a new name.
A lot of people are still not enlightened about a lot of things, including Jews. Perhaps we can attribute that to the obsession with finding things to be offended about instead of addressing real issues. Instead of seeking out potentially offensive restaurants, perhaps the lovely Ms. Park should channel her energy to actually fighting racism. A place called 'Chinks' does not make people racist. Racism is undeniably a problem, but I think the PC police could better direct their efforts to educating people as opposed to simply voicing outrage at every chance.
Also, it is largely a myth that Latin-American countries are less racist and.or race-conscious, they just aren't PC. Fujimori was not lovingly called "El chino." It is true that some racial nicknames used among family and friends are not seen as offensive, but when used outside of that context, they carry the same negative conotations as slurs used by Americans.
Perhaps Gothamist can sponser a collection for the widow to purchase a new PC tombstone.
Felix said: Jenny, of course there are minor and major offenses. Philly.com is afraid to use "nigger" -- and not afraid to use "chink" -- precisely because using one is more offensive than using the other.
Why is the c-word a minor offense? That's bullshit. Asian people, most asian people, do not think that it any less derogatory that the n-word. If someone ever referred to me as that, i'd punch them in the face. I shouldn't "If" and "ever" because people definitely called me that growing up in an enlightened white liberal New England suburb. And for all the "white" people feel like they're being pc'd out of valuable lexicon, they can come back to me when they're the minority and tell me what I should or should not find hurtful. Until then, cry me a river.
Dear Jen,
I am interested in learning the specific literal meanings that the word "chink" expresses. Greater understanding lies in this approach. It will get the fly out of the fly bottle. Let me hear from you, whatever your orientation. There is much here. It goes to the heart and the gut. Talk to me, people!
Burt
Chink.... hmm... as a chink, I think this whole debate is loaded.
The last time I was called a chink I almost beat down a man in a movie theater, but for some reason seeing a cheesesteak shop called Chinks doesn't bother me.
Go figure. I'm more offended that David Carridine played a Chinese monk than I am at a Jewish guy being called "Chink" because he had slanty eyes.
By the way, when we lived in Thailand my family used "Darkie" toothpaste. They change the name to "Darlie" but still use the caricature of the guy in black face as their logo.
Go figure again.
I'm also wondering why a Korean person is trying to get a Jewish establishment to change its name because it's derogatory towards Chinese people?
Maybe I'm too ignorant for these matters.
I'm familiar with Darkie/Darlie toothpaste too. What I remember is that they did change the logo pretty soon after the name change -- they whited out the face so you couldn't really conjecture what race the man was (though Asian would probably be a bad bet). You can see what I mean here.
"I'm also wondering why a Korean person is trying to get a Jewish establishment to change its name because it's derogatory towards Chinese people?"
Because to the 'unwashed masses', anyone who looks like an East Asian can immediately be called a "chink", because, y'know, we all look alike *snort*. I'm Korean and have had to deal with that term my whole life. Nowadays, I just tell them "I'm Korean, call me 'gook'." If you have to be racist, at least prove that you are smarter than I am.
I live in NJ (near the Philly border) and have heard about this whole thing. Personally, I do find the term, when used in THAT context, just as offensive as the "N-word". However, this place has been in business for almost 60 years. Why is Susannah Park pissed off about it NOW? Because it's trendy to point out racial controversy? Heh...I think the name of the Chinese restaurant chain, Wok N' Roll, is more offensive.
I find this whole thing is very reminiscent of the lawsuit pinned on some airline pilot not too long ago (early last year?). Over the intercom, he announced "Eenie meenie miney moe, pick a seat, we gotta go" and some black women sued him because she thought it was a racist comment (some form of that "nursery rhyme" went "Eenie meenie miney moe, catch a nigger by his toe"). They were so "affected" by it that they had to stop working and couldn't sleep. The women also got a HUGE payoff from the lawsuit.
Can people get anymore ridiculous? Do these people not have other more important things to think about? I'm not saying you can't be proud of your heritage and want to defend it, but COME ON!!! It's trendy to do so, though.
In regards to "what if it had been called 'Nigger's'", same thing. If nobody had thought this a problem for 60 years, why would it be a problem now? As a matter of fact, there are bars named The Happy Nig and that's what they've been called for years. Of course, the name "Nigger's" would never have stood in this day and age. A part of me wishes that Asians could be shown the same acceptance as other races in the US (it's SO much easier to call an Asian person a "chink" than a black person a "nigger"), but then again, in this case, we're picking at nothing that will ever go anywhere or create any sort of "precedent".
Felix: you're a morn. "Jenny, of course there are minor and major offenses. Philly.com is afraid to use "nigger" -- and not afraid to use "chink" -- precisely because using one is more offensive than using the other"
More offensive according to who? to philly.com? I didn't realize they were speaking for all Asians when it came to how offensive Chink can be to us. Face it, the only reason "nigger" is more offensive is the reaction it cause from blacks. Asians have not had the balls to get too crazy and bring such things into spotlights the way blacks have. Case in point: Veritech's opinion above is pretty typical of how most Asians have handled things like this in the past.
It's very simple... just as should never be called "Nigger's" for all the obvious reasons, it's the same for "Chink's." The fact that I even need to say this to people just shows how fucked up things are.
I need to go punch a cracker in the mouth now.
tien -- oops, i was thinking of char siu and siu ngaa shops as that's what chink's reminded me of. er...darkie's noodles?
so now that everyone gets offended (in varying degrees, depending on meaning and context) by certain words, does this mean the bravo show will now be called "homosexual eye for the heterosexual guy" since the "Q" term can be used offensively? i could go on, but frankly, it's exhausting.
by the way, in spanish, "el chino" means "chinese". Not trying to say that latinos don't have ethnic and or skin color-based prejudices--they definately do, but using the "el chino" thing as proof is misleading. At the very most, anyone using that term to refer to a non-chinese asian person is ignorantly refering using "el chino" to refer to asians from anywhere. BUT, it is NOT used as a slur.
The best thing to come out of the controversy is all the discussion it's propagated. Situations like these should never be considered unimportant or low-scale when there is "greater" racism in this country.
I would have liked the Philly News to have asked at least a few Asians who live in Wissinoming their opinion of the restaurant's name and what their view of race relations in their town is.
There was never a restaurant called 'Nigger's' but there was one called 'Coon Chicken Inn.' They never changed the name. They went out of business instead.
This name should definitely be changed. Chink is just as bad as nigger. The people who don't think it's a big deal have probably never been called either.
This situation simply shows that this country has a long way to go to equate the plights and problems of Chinese-americans and other asian americans with blacks and whites.
To LJ, why have these issues not been addressed until now? Probably because now asian americans are starting to wake up and have self awareness and self pride. There were darkie shows around for decades before blacks really started getting militant about them. I'm sure people in those days used your same argument: "these blackface shows and darkie brands have been around for decades, why wait until now?" A wrong that has been around for a while does not make it right.
Also, LJ, I heard about the airplane lawsuit. That nonsense was thrown out by the jury! : http://colorblind.typepad.com/the_colorblind_society/2004/01/making_it_harde.html
You shouldn't have to post false information to get your point across.
Oh come on. My wife and I ate there very recently during a trip to Philly. We looked it up in the guidebook, we navigated our way there, we went in, ate, had a great meal and left. Not once did we think of Asians or slurs. The only thing that was offensive was the size of the average customer.
It's the proprietor's nickname for God's sake. Don't like it, don't eat there. Let your dollars vote, and let's stop trying to cram PC nonsense down everyone's throats. America is turning in to a bunch of foppish milktoasts, where everyone has a problem with everything. Pathetic.
I assume Spic n' Span is next on the list.