Oppressed or Off the Press?

chip tsao, the controversial hk journalist whose attempt to a supposed political satire backfired when he referred to the Philippines as a nation of servants recently appeared before a Pinoy audience in the HK Philipine consulate to personally apologize for his alleged racial bias.

one member of the audience didn't think tsao's apology was sincere and he didn't mince words in giving chip a piece of his mind. The irate guy stood from where he was seated and told tsao that he personally thought tsao was lying and that the public expression of apology was a sham.

When is an apology an apology? You'd think that Tsao appearing before a pinoy audience asking for forgiveness is the most he he could possibly do. On most occasions it would. A personal expression of apology almost instantly heals most superficial wounds and sometimes even the deepest cut but Tsao treaded along the sensitive topic of nationalism. Despite it was his own point of view and that he wasn't speaking for any group, minority, or nationality, racism is always frowned upon. That tsao's profession afforded him the ability to reach a larger audience/readership makes it all the more imperative that he stray away from culturally sensitive subjects. Unlike most of us bloggers, Tsao's opinions are viewed differently by virtue of his profession and of his medium-HK magazine. He is more under the radar so to speak.

Some political personalities took the opportunity to gain some media mileage out of this. The politicking Mr. Golez even went as far as saying all he wanted was for tsao to acknowledge his challenge for a round of boxing and after that he would forget but not forgive. Yes, it is a bit disconcerting that Golez' remark has some sort of disconnection there. He sounded like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. The lengths people would go to just to ride the wave of popularity.