Racism is Wrigleyville?

I have been hanging out quite a bit in Wrigleyville these past few weeks. And I have been really getting annoyed by the amount of psuedo-japanese stuff that is floating around. The Suntimes even had an article on it in today’s paper. Numerous street vendors are selling shirts with phrases like ‘Horry Kow’, ‘Fukudome is my homie’, and of course, those ridiculous karate kid headbands. To his credit, Fukudome is trying to stay above the fray indicating he expected this since he is from an different culture ect ect.

As appalled as people might be about this behavior, and I am sure over the weeks we will hear the cries grow louder, does it really shock anyone? I mean, have you BEEN to Wrigleyville during a Cubs game? If you have, you will here words like ‘retarded’ and ‘faggot’ thrown around like it was nothing. It does not shock me at all that Cubs fans would think they are ‘honoring’ their new star by racially slamming him. I was in the bathroom at Wrigley this past weekend and drunk fan were having a field day speaking in fake Japanese, making WWII references, pull their eyes ‘slanted’ and ‘pretending’ they we Fukudome. It was pretty sad.

Sometimes, I find humor in the occasional knock at someones appearance, or race, or status in life. I am not above all of that. But the more time I spend in Wrigleyville, the positive vibes I feel from the regulars are quickly washed away by the overflow of douchebags. I may just start staying home.