WASHINGTON DC, United States—The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has strongly condemned boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s “blatantly racist and homophobic attacks” against Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao in a YouTube interview.
The organization thus asked the National Boxing Association and state athletic commissions to censure Mayweather for “behavior that is both abhorrent and demeaning to boxing fans and to the whole world of sports.”
NaFFAA also asked the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) “to reprimand the boxing star for insulting people of color.”
“We are further asking all civil rights organizations to stand in solidarity with us in denouncing this racist and homophobic rant. Mayweather’s apology is unacceptable and he must be made accountable for his damaging statements,” said NaFFAA national chairman Greg Macabenta in a news release.
NaFFAA said the Mayweather’s words are especially hurtful as the US grapples with immigration issues.
“At a time when immigrant communities are being viewed with increasing suspicion and mistrust, Mayweather’s cruel, abusive, and hurtful remarks can only stoke more hostility, derision, and resentment against individuals who look foreign by virtue of their looks, their size or the sound of their names,” Macabenta said.
“Coming from a boxing celebrity with millions of fans around the world, Mayweather’s shameless and reckless conduct unfairly paints an entire racial and ethnic group with a broad brush and seriously undermines America’s core values of inclusivity and racial tolerance.”
“We are outraged by Mayweather’s racially offensive remarks,” Macabenta said.
“This disgusting diatribe against Pacquiao is a racial slur against all Filipinos and Filipino Americans and an embarrassment not only to the boxing community but to all Americans. Talking trash may be common between boxing rivals, but Mayweather’s racially-laced profanities brazenly crossed the line of decency and respectability. Pacquiao, on the other hand, has taken the high road and acted like the gentleman that he is.”
In the “vitriolic” video, Mayweather called Pacquiao a “whore,” a “little yellow chump,” and a “midget” several times. He also said that he will force Pacquiao to “make some sushi rolls and cook some rice” and “we’re going to cook him with some cats and dogs.”
Pacquiao had challenged Mayweather to a fight in the ring, but so far Mayweather has refused. Instead, he has accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net
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