In a press conference today, a government holiday celebrating the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., Shaquille O'Neal made a somewhat surprising announcement. O'Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers star who has recently received criticism for his racist comments about Asians, announced that he and Senator Trent Lott (R- Miss.) are to begin meeting regularly to discuss matters of race and exchange Asian jokes.

"Mr. O'Neal was obviously upset by my comment pertaining to Whites and Blacks and had the courage and wisdom to contact me, not in hostility, but in a spirit of grace,

Lott and O'Neal at today's press conference where they finished with a stirring rendition of "Ebony and Ivory"

reconciliation, and a desire to find common ground." stated Lott in today's press conference. "I know a lot of 'Confucius say' jokes and Phil Jackson has obviously been teaching O'Neal some Japanese Zen jokes, so I think the meeting will be productive."

O'Neal said, "Mr. Lott and I have decided to meet regularly to discuss the pertinent issues of race relations in this country." Lott and O'Neal agree that the "slant-eyes are a rich resource of jokes" for use both in the media or when just entertaining dinner guests.

Democratic leaders hail the meetings as a visible, laudable sign of what should be the heart of racial reconciliation in America. Jesse Jackson, attending the press conference, rejoiced saying, "Finally, Whites and Blacks can come together in a spirit of harmony and begin to foster the commonality that binds us collectively as Americans: making fun of Asians. I don't see why they should stop there, as they could naturally extend their meetings to include Jews, that is, making fun of Jews."

Psychologist Dr. Richard Wydner explains why such reconciliation efforts promise results, "Studies show that the emotional and mental connection felt and acted on when two people or two people groups realize that they hate and/or oppress the same third people group is a connection that is not only hard to break, but conceivably unbreakable."

Whether or not Whites and Blacks in America can truly overcome 400 years of oppression and abuse by heaping insults and jokes on Asians has yet to be seen. But the method shows real promise. Shaq and Lott are bold enough to try. Martin Luther King, Jr. has truly been honored today.