Two US-based TV show hosts have been suspended indefinitely after they made slant-eyed gestures on a live broadcast celebrating South Korea’s 2–0 win against Germany in the World Cup on Wednesday.
Dear @Telemundo @TelemundoSports & @TLMDPR , whoever this guy is on the left needs to get fired ASAP for being a racist on air. If someone were to say or make racist gestures about Latinx folks we'd ALL be up in arms & this is no different #SayNoToRacism #TelemundoMundial https://t.co/SvzSednPAd
Germany’s shocking defeat was celebrated by Mexico fans, as it meant that previous World Cup champions Germany would not be advancing to the knockout round, but that Mexico, which was defeated by Sweden, would.
Hosts James Tahhan and Janice Bencosme were seen making slant-eyed gestures while other cast members danced and laughed during a live on-set celebration on the Spanish-language network Telemundo’s morning program Un Nuevo Dia.
@Telemundo, don't let your host make racist gestures on the air. 😐 Thanks! @UnNuevoDia #MundialTelemundo
People immediately called it racist.
@Telemundo with the inappropriate Korea jokes. #racist #worldcup #racista #korea
In a world that desperately demand respect for our Latinos, this pretentious clowns from @Telemundo are misrepresenting and entire community with this racist remark. We can do better! What a shame. https://t.co/l7o7DAmtQt
Similarly, Mexico fans have also come under fire for making the slant-eyed gesture to thank South Korea.
To every single person who says they didn't know this was offensive, let me say it clearly: IT IS OFFENSIVE. Stop doing this. These folks may not have meant offense, but it is offensive nonetheless. This is what many of us see before we get our asses kicked. https://t.co/77aZ7FBUYu
Several tweets showing Mexico fans making the gesture went viral in Korea, with many calling it racist.
멕시코 사람들아 1절만 하자
"Mexicans..."
형제니 사랑한다니 뭐니 하면서 이건 대체 뭘까요..인종차별 행위인거 알고 이런다고 하던데..
"They say they love us and that we are their brothers then what's this…I heard they know that this is a racist gesture..."
인종차별하는 형제는 필요없다
"We don't need brothers who are racist."
People were furious.
see what the fuck we’re NOT about to do, mexico are these racist and belittling gestures after we bumped y’all up. you got a funny way showing gratitude. smfh https://t.co/4giretYX37
Think these responses to South Korea for winning Germany and allowing Mexican pass are unnecessary. You can be grateful to them without being disrespectful. Then you get offended and mad crazy asking for apology when Koreans are ignorant and do similar stuff...I know this aint https://t.co/5MZYZtj6th
And found it unbelievable that people were still making racist poses in 2018.
It's unbelievable to see people are still making racist poses in 2018. I hate people. 🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/08rCCmdVK9
