Bill Maher on his “Real Time” show was making a good point. In his end of show rant, Maher was talking about how George W. Bush was a war criminal.
And to back it up he referred to the 2004 Army investigation on Abu Ghraib led by Major General Anthony Taguba.
Only Maher said his name, “Tugaboo.”
Maybe he thought it made for a funnier punch-line?
Not funny. Honest mistake or not.
Maher should figure there’d be a lot of American Filipinos watching the cable channel these days with the reality series on Manny Pacquiao currently running and plugging the fight this weekend.
Pacquiao is one of the few Filipinos who ever merits a mention on mainstream TV. Sunday was a coup for Pacquiao with a huge piece on “60 Minutes.”
But do you think people would be upset if Maher pronounced Manny’s surname “Pac-kwee-ay-oh.” (Maybe to rhyme with the Harry Belafonte song)?
Taguba is another one of the community’s big names. The general took on one of the biggest scandals in the Iraq war with honesty and courage. And for that he was forced into early retirement.
I’ve met Taguba, a smart and honest man. And I know he wouldn’t press this. But to have his name brought up to make a point, only to be then be mispronounced and butchered so badly is sad.
Taguba should be more of a hero to all the U.S., and not just to American Filipinos.
And they should not only remember his name but pronounce it correctly.
Taguba.
An American Filipino name.
One can laugh it off and give Maher a pass. But think of how few moments American Filipinos get a chance before a national audience to be recognized. That’s the injury. Then add a mispronunciation of the name. That’s the insult. Maher’s no more guilty than the teacher who can’t take the time to say his students’ names properly. Or the sales person learning his clients’ names. This is the educational part of diversity and inclusion.
It’s essential if there is to be real mutual respect.
You’re right, Emil. The person whose name he could have made mangled more appropriately was Pres. “Shrub” to prove his point, and not mangle the name of the the guy he should have used as a positive, GOOD example.
Teachers affect the individual and those in the room. Maher’s room is worldwide, so such choices shouldn’t be made lightly — although he’ll probably say “it was just in jest – where’s your sense of humor?”
That’s the hard part here. The networks make fun of Filipinos (remember Desperate Housewives? and other such instances), and may get a rise out of the community as a result (remember NaFFAA’s protests and efforts?).
Then it will quiet down until the next guy says something (remember Adam Carolla on Manny Pacquiao?).
It’s tedious to raise your hand each time (“Hey! That wasn’t right!”), yet it must be done somehow.
True mutual respect requires that all parties understand they deserve a high level of respect. And no apologies needed. The Filipino community can stop turning the other cheek — we deserve the same respect as everyone else.
Thanks speaking up!
If you watch the Overtime portion of the show you will discover that Maher learned of his mistake and apologized for it.
If that’s the case, I wonder how many people watch the Overtime portion?
Hard enough just to watch the show, let alone “overtime.” And exactly where is that? The show website? A nice correction/apology/acknowledgment on the next show would be better.
Still,no need to beat Maher up about this. I just want to make him aware that this sort of indignity happens all the time to Americans with “foreign sounding” names. Maher’s a professional performer. He should have known better and have been better prepared knowing the name was in the script.