I think the BBC should consult the Oxford Dictionary. I was flabbergasted as I listened to the "BBC World Service" radio news program last evening (August 5, 2008) on KQED 88.5 FM. In the BBC's report of the arrival of the Olympics torch at the Beijing event, their reporter, Quentin Summerville, said, "... and the most feared 'Chinaman,' Yao Ming, ... "

Lest the BBC not know it yet, the term "Chinaman" is a racially offensive and derogatory word. It is a racial slur. It is offensive to Chinese Americans, Asian Americans, and Asians. One does not have to be Asian to be offended by this word.

Media magnate Ted Turner used this "C" word when he spoke to the Bay Area Council of San Francisco in March 2007. Asian Americans demanded an apology from Turner. He issued his own brand of an apology, by claiming that he did not know that the word was deemed offensive.

I think the BBC should be more enlightened in its reporting from Beijing. Or at least its reporter should try to be linguistically and culturally competent and sensitive, both as a guest at the Olympics and as a journalist.

The BBC should know that the use of the "C" word is similar to the use of the "N" word to refer to African Americans, the "K" word to refer to Jews, or to the "G" word to refer to Vietnamese or Vietnamese Americans. (Presidential candidate Senator John McCain freely used the "G" word to refer to Vietnamese people several years ago.)

I consulted the Oxford Dictionary. I also consulted other texts including Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, Encyclopedia Britannica, American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, and Dictionary.com. The BBC reporter and his editors at the "BBC World Service" should not only check these dictionaries, they should also ask their hosts in Beijing what they would think about the BBC's use of the "C" word.

The sobering reality is that one is reminded that Great Britain has a long colonial history of empire building and domination around the world which occurred not that long ago. Whether among British or American media, vestiges of racism still rear their ugly heads too often.

Send your comments to the "BBC World Service," and to KQED 88.5 FM by contacting:

Jeff Clark, President and C.E.O
KQED 88.5 FM Radio
2601 Mariposa St.
San Francisco, CA 94110

or e-mail to: fm@kqed.org