Jackie Forster calls PBA player Arwind Santos ‘ignorant’ on monkey gesture, reminds him Filipinos face racism too

Jackie Forster voiced her disappointment over PBA star Arwind Santos’ monkey gesture toward black player Terrence Jones.

San Miguel Beermen veteran Santos was caught on camera taunting TNT import Jones by imitating monkey gestures on Wednesday night, Aug. 14. Santos said he was not sorry, claiming that it was just “mind games,” even reasoning that he and other players used to call cager Dorian Peña a “gorilla.”

Black people being likened to monkeys has historically been a racial slur and is demonstrated in chants or gestures in various sports. Other people of color, including Filipinos, have also been compared to monkeys as a discriminating remark.

Forster slammed Santos for his action and lack of apology, calling him “ignorant.” She shared a screenshot of an article headline about the issue on Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 15, and aired her thoughts about it.

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“Someone needs a b*tch slap. Ignorant ignorant ignorant,” she wrote. “Please use your money to go travel the world so you learn to undo all the damage you have inside your heart.”

“If you also knew how much racism Filipinos face in all corners of the world you would have more empathy and understanding… WE TOO ARE BROWN! Money obviously doesn’t buy class. This kind of behavior upsets me so much. Unapologetic pa??”

She also called for PBA to penalize him for his actions, suggesting a “steep fine” to “help them think twice.” “When men under pressure have outbursts—look deeper at the issues,” she said.

Forster recently called out the racism she and her family experienced while in the United States last July. She was previously married to cager Benjie Paras, while their son Kobe Paras is a basketball player for the UP Fighting Maroons.  /ra

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