Oscars 2016: Chris Rock Called Hypocrite for Asian Kids Joke

Chris Rock used his platform as 2016 Oscars host to highlight diversity, and it definitely made a powerful impact. However, many viewers couldn't help but notice that the diversity wasn't really that diverse in terms of color, and even included a cringe-worthy joke about Asian stereotypes.

In that bit, Rock introduced bankers from PricewaterhouseCoopers. As he put it, "They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard working representatives. Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling, and David Moskowitz." Onto the stage walked three Asian children. Rock knew the joke might touch a nerve, so he doubled-down on it, saying, "If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids."


He wasn't afraid to push buttons all night, which is a good thing, but some viewers thought he set the conversation back a few years with this bit.

Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Half-assed Asian joke, #Oscars, and then preach about diversity? #LoseMe

— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) February 29, 2016

Think my brain shut down for a few minutes. Did that appalling joke about Asian kids actually happen? #Oscars

— Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) February 29, 2016

They played off Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy talking about honor killings but they gave Chris Rock 45 seconds for that bit??

— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) February 29, 2016

Joking about Asian stereotypes and child slave labor didn't garner a laugh from me @chrisrock #Oscars #DoBetter

— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) February 29, 2016

Umm, no @chrisrock. Using little Asian kids to joke about math stereotypes and child labor isn't funny.

— Grace Hwang Lynch (@HapaMamaGrace) February 29, 2016

The worst thing is that was the ONLY reference that Asians even exist on the #Oscars @PereJules

— Grace Hwang Lynch (@HapaMamaGrace) February 29, 2016

Rock's use of "Asian" names in his shtick is why assimilation, invisibility = a way to survive, right or wrong. #OscarsSoWhite #AlwaysOther

— Kathy Khang (@mskathykhang) February 29, 2016

So basically all you Asian kids aspiring to be actors yet saw no Asians nominated, don't worry, you can be an accountant. #Oscars

— Alia Joy (@AliaJoyH) February 29, 2016

good thing Hollywood gives us so many non-racist Asian characters to counter this sort of shit right?

oh, wait... https://t.co/ScvuSM9Bk6

— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) February 29, 2016

As usual, there was no consensus on the matter, and the outcome is that people are debating race across the Internet, which was the main point of the whole evening. That and Leo winning.

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