Miley Cyrus. Racist Act. Insensitivity. Boorish Behaviour.

Once again, some people have shown that they are still backwards in their attitude and lacking in sensitivity. Just like the Spanish contingent in the Beijing Olympics, Miley Cyrus made slant eyes to mock Asians and Asian-Americans. I am quite disappointed that not only are there people like the Spanish contingent, there are more like them. It isn't acceptable to mock a race for their physical attributes.

Slant eyes are not acceptable in the same way that dyeing your skin black, wearing a curly wig, pouting your lower lip, and putting a bone through your nose has no place in our society. It's crude, offensive, and demeaning. People may argue, as Cyrus did, that it's all for fun and no offense was intended. Well, so is punching someone in the face and getting a laugh at his distorted face. It might be funny for some but not for whoever is on the receiving end. That's where sensitivity and civility comes in. One must be able to, at least, emphatize with people. Sympathizing is better. Instead, this offender has chosen to be unapologetic and brazen in defending this most insulting act.

Are we expecting too much from a young person when we criticize her for acting like an ignoramus? Well, I was young before and I never demeaned anyone for their racial features and their ethnicity. But I must admit that my parents set an environment that can be described as cultured, intelligent, open, and circumspect. So, age does not excuse this behaviour. You can be young and also be proper. Rather, we should look into the kind of environment that her family and friends provide. Who taught this kid that making slant eyes is permissible? Racist behaviour does not come from just an individual. It also comes from an condoning environment. As they say, the garbage can doesn't fall too far from the truck.

Leave the neanderthal world behind. It's never too late to join the ever advancing human race, Miley.