TIL when Yao Ming played his first game in Miami, the Heat promoted the game by passing out 8,000 fortune cookies. Yao wasn't offended because he had never seen a fortune cookie, and assumed it was an American invention

Well... I guess you could perceive every minor gesture like this as some sort of proof of abhorrent, evil manifestation of ignorant racism.

But... I've seen FAR MORE disturbing, heart-breaking, and faith-in- humanity crushing/shattering incidents of racism that go far beyond this fortune cookie incident.

Essentially the fact that Yao Ming is playing in the NBA, is undeniably quite a unique novelty in the history of the NBA. There just haven't haven't been many such Chinese born/raised NBA players.

From the perspective of America, the fortune-cookie is simply a fun, and time honored tradition when enjoying Asian inspired cuisine.

My girlfriend and I LOVE the fortune cookie at the end of a restaurant meal, and it's really been IMPRINTED in our minds, as being highly symbolic of the fun/interesting aspects of Asian culture.

So I think (and I could be wrong here...) but passing around these fortune cookies, was merely a way of embracing/enjoying some good natured fun, at the amazing idea that people from China are now beginning to join North America's most elite and professional sports team.

I don't think they passed these cookies around to say, "We hate China, and Chinese players".

Instead it was quite the opposite: more of a fun celebration.

In the same way, for example, if I (a Canadian) was a super-star athlete that excelled in some top sport in China, and if on my first day of play I saw the entire crowd exciting by the novelty of me joining the team, celebrating by passing around mini-bottles of Canadian Maple Syrup, and serving up poutine-fries in the confection stands...

Even though that's a stereotype, I still would NOT be offended. Quite the opposite in fact: I would be amazed and honored at the good natured fun, and positive atmosphere of the crowd.

So I highly doubt the cookies were part of some evil, racist, conspiracy.

It was just good natured fun, and excitement at the novelty of the situation.

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