I must say, I don’t find this nearly as offnesive as other things that I deem racist. I don’t deem this racist at all. It’s geared toward dumb America to make them think of energy/kung fu/hiyaa! Not necessarily racist.

I have to respectfully disagree with your comments Dan. As a white guy, I do not feel that I have the right to dismiss the views of people of color when it comes to racism. I originally became aware of the voicemail via a friend who is on a listserv for Asian American folks in higher education. The Glaceau voicemail was a racist caricature.

Another recent example of the dominant paradigm dismissing the views of folks of color is chief illiniwek at the University of Illinois. The majority (in this case, mostly white folks) have said over and over again that the chief is not racist while tons of native folks, people of color, and allies have said that the chief is racist.

I would highly recommend that you take a glance at Suzanne Pharr’s “The Common Elements of Oppressions.” It’s a good read for white folks who wish to be allies ….