Sports
Megan Rapinoe Faces Calls for Cancellation Over Unearthed Tweet
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The tweet seemingly mocks fellow soccer player Natasha Kai's "Asian eyes."
June 22 2021 1:11 PM EST
June 21 2021 9:11 PM EST
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The tweet seemingly mocks fellow soccer player Natasha Kai's "Asian eyes."
Soccer superstar and activist Megan Rapinoe is in hot water over a recently unearthed tweet from 2011. The message in question was in response to a since-deleted tweet by Natasha Kai and saw Rapinoe seemingly mocking the Asian soccer player's eyes. In the tweet, Rapinoe wrote, "u look Asian with those closed eyes!"
\u201c@tasha_kai00 u look asian with those closed eyes!\u201d— Megan Rapinoe (@Megan Rapinoe) 1305844269
Many on social media have pointed to the hypocrisy of this message from someone who has become an outspoken advocate for social justice and pay equality. Some have even called for her "cancellation" and reached out to her sponsors in an effort to see her dropped from both her Subway commercial and Victoria's Secret VS Collective deals.
\u201c@mPinoe I guess @SUBWAY agrees with this racist statement, they hired her and obviously have no problems with her disrespecting the flag and now Asians. I\u2019m an asian , American and that\u2019s just not even funny\u201d— Megan Rapinoe (@Megan Rapinoe) 1305844269
None— The Hill (@The Hill) 1623956287
However, Rapinoe also has supporters, who note the age of the tweet and point to the fact that the story is being pushed by conservative media, saying the backlash is in part because the popular player is now using her voice and platform to speak out against discrimination.
\u201c@mPinoe The tweet is bad, but this is the real sin...\u201d— Megan Rapinoe (@Megan Rapinoe) 1305844269
\u201c@mPinoe So disgusted with all those backlashes. Just because Megan is now openly speaking own opinion against discrimination. 10 years apart from this tweet and I reckon majority of those jeers are to damage Megan's contribution, reputation or being an icon.\u201d— Megan Rapinoe (@Megan Rapinoe) 1305844269