Need a Prostate Check? Call a “Small, Asian, Female Doctor,” Says Australia’s ‘First Bloke’

By William | Monday, February 11, 2013 | 5 Comments

Thanks for visiting 8Asians, a blog about Asian American issues. If you find this interesting, subscribe to the RSS feed, visit our Facebook Page or add us on Twitter!

Now, I do have to admit. I voted for Julia Gilliard at the last election. For those who don’t know, Julia Gilliard is the head of a minority government compromised of the Labour and Green parties. Traditionally, they’ve stood out as being more accepting of migrants and the lower class, as well as since this video came out, a staunch defender of female liberties and identity.

However, Julia Gillard’s partner, Tim Mathieson, made a rather stupid gaffe in a speech to the West Indies Cricket Team about females, in particular, small Asian ones. His comment, in regards to examinations prostate cancer: “We can get a blood test for it, but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate so make sure you go and do that, and perhaps look for a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way“.

Decried for being sexist, racist and even according to Tony Wright, National Affairs editor of the Melbourne Age newspaper, sizeist, it’s really not a good thing for someone who actively attacked the opposition leader for holding a similar attitude.

It’s a bit disgusting that Tim draws a line between “small” and “Asian”, perhaps subconsciously due to the misconception that Asian females are small and petite, and even that Asian males have small peckers. Yet it seems that the outrage is more directed at the sexism in the remarks rather than any perceived racism.

Perhaps for me, I actually wasn’t THAT offended… are you?

Photo credit: Mark Graham/AFP/Getty Images

Categories:

DiscriminationHealth and Beauty

NOTE: 8Asians.com is a community, and we thank you for being a part of it. While we welcome and appreciate differences in opinion, if you're rude or you're promoting spam, we have a right to edit or delete your comment. Read our comment policy for more information.

If you see a comment that violates the 8Asians.com comment policy, you may flag the comment by mousing over the comment and clicking "FLAG."

Facebook Comments (Beta)

LTE2

“We can get a blood test for it, but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading”
.
Makes perfect sense to me.

.
Maybe after you had an exam with digits the size of a steel worker’s or a lumber jack, you’ll appreciate some pint size Asian doing it.
http://www.facebook.com/rachel.stockwood Rachel Stockwood

Of course you weren’t offended. I don’t expect much fom a small, feminine Asian man such as yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/viral107 William Tsui

Really Rachel? That’s your reply? If you read my other posts, I’m all for affirmative action, which I sense is your favourite line. And if you read my words, I was not that offended, not, I was not offended at all.
http://www.facebook.com/badassteaparty Frank Gao

Seriously? What the fuck?
FabiusMaximus

Of course you weren’t offended, ya little Uncle Chong. Now go ask “honowable massa” to put his white balls on your chin.

8 Asians