Boom Chicago Video Not Racist Spongebob Squarepants in China One of YouTubes Top 10 Most Discussed Videos



Boom Chicago's political viral hit Spongebob Squarepants in China has a total of almost three million combined views on YouTube and other internet sites. The video is currently YouTube's number 10 most discussed (film and animation video) ever. The issue most talked about in the almost ten thousand comments is whether the video is racist or anti-Chinese. Though most viewers are positive and supportive (more than twelve thousand made it a favorite), many are offended, angry and asking for an explanation. Boom Chicago would like to respond.

"As a comedy theater and video producer, Boom Chicago addresses topical issues in a not necessarily politically correct way," explains executive producer Andrew Moskos. When Spongebob Squarepants was released in China at the same time Google decided to allow the Chinese government to censor its Chinese version, Boom Chicago thought the time was right to address these issues.

"Although the video is funny first," Moskos continues, "it also addresses Chinese working conditions, censorship, and the ideas of the Western world compromising ethical, environmental and human rights standards in order to have inexpensive goods and an economic partner."

"People see what they want to see and what they already believe," says Boom Chicago's video director Matt Chapman. "The irony of this is that the people who demand retractions, apologies, and even the removal of the video are themselves supporting censorship. If you are in support of free speech you should be in support of all free speech, also free speech you don't agree with."

Mulan Skolnik, a Chinese translator, who works for the Chinese government, among others, agrees. "The video is funny. Anyone with enough confidence can laugh at jokes about their people without thinking immediately about discrimination."

Boom Chicago stands behind the following statements as addressed in this video:

* Despite incredible economic growth in the coastal cities, China is a communist country with an unelected one party government.

* Censorship, propaganda, and media and internet control are still practiced by the Chinese government.

* The Chinese one child policy is still unusual in the world.

* Long hours exist for many workers in China.

* Chinese military spending has grown about 15% each year for the past five years, a large increase even considering their economic growth.

* A lot of "American" things are made and made cheaper in China.

* The most American retailer of all, Wal-Mart, could not exist in its current form (nor would their prices be so low) without products made in China under working conditions that would be unacceptable in the West.

* Google, and other businesses, have compromised their standards regarding freedom of speech to do business in China.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=6HIavxnUHls

Follow this link to read a collection of viewer comments:

http://www.boomchicago.nl/en/news-and-images/latest-news/spongebob-squarepants-in-china-comments/

Honors for this Video (as of July 3, 2007)

#29 - Most Viewed (All Time) - Film & Animation

#10 - Most Discussed (All Time) - Film & Animation

#23 - Top Favorites (All Time) - Film & Animation





Boom Chicago Video Not Racist Spongebob Squarepants in China One of YouTubes Top 10 Most Discussed Videos