Jemele Hill: SUSPENDED??!!

Some have said we have been hard on the City of Boston these past few days, exposing the rampant racist sentiment of its inhabitants. Demonstrating the effect playing in such an environ can have on rational, athletic Negroes.

But, now, further justification of our righteous profferings.

The Miami Herald reports that espn.com's Page 2 writer, Jemele Hill has been suspended for drawing a brilliant juxtaposition between the Celtics and Adolf Hitler. And comparing those that root on the Celtics to those hoping an enemy of America would drop a nuclear bomb on us.

ESPN suspended espn.com writer Jemele Hill indefinitely after she drew references to Adolf Hitler and nuclear war in a column. ''Rooting for the Celtics is like saying Hitler was a victim,'' Hill wrote. ``It's like hoping Gorbachev would get to the blinking red button before Reagan.''

Certainly, we don't bother to read Hill's work most days; but we feel that based on this capture from the Herald, we can effectively argue on her behalf. Regardless of context or intent.

Firstly, Ms Hill effectively used a comparative model to illustrate the distaste and grotesque inner self it takes for an individual to be a Celtics fan. This isn't a literal comparison. It isn't Ms. Hill definitively stating that Celtics fans are Nazi's. It is an indirect and clever way of saying rooting for the Celtics is akin to believe that the most prolific racist/genocide architect of our time is worthy of compassion.

While certainly there is a degree of hyperbole in the comparison. Is it really that far off?

Clearly, Boston's White Boston Sports Fans did not initiate the stereotype of Boston being a racist town on their own. They do their best to foster the image and propagate intolerance, but the stereotype clearly had more contributors than the Lower Middle Class white folks with nothing better to do than root for the Boston teams, and simultaneously make the Negro athletes uncomfortable living in Beantown. Think about it. No small feat.

And, just as that was no small feat, neither was bringing Europe to its collective knees while at the same time running a genocide machine that can only be described as 'Germanic' in its efficiency.

So, clearly, while some would take the association Ms Hill conjures between Celtic fandom and Nazi support as offensive; a more objective and emotionally removed (read: logical) assessment of the comparison can see the clear connection. It is commentary on fanatical devotion.

We've seen writers describe Michael Vick (a Negro) in various demonic terms. He was compared to an 'executioner'. An executioner! Yet, no suspensions were levied against the perpetrators of that particularly offensive statement.

But, Ms. Hill uses Hitler's name in connection with the Great White Sports City of Boston, despite the fact that various surveys of Negro athletes have definitively shown that they have an uneasiness about living in or being traded to Boston, and she may well lose her job.

The message this sends is that Michael Vick has done worse things than White Boston Sports Fans. A wonderful message to send to Negro youth!

But, all this is just the tip of the Iceberg.

As stated, Ms. Hill contributes to espn.com's Page 2. The home and kingdom of Bill Simmons.

A White Boston Sports Fan.

YOU do the math!

It's puzzling.

For generations, Boston has cultivated and fostered an image of prejudice and racial disharmony. It is a city that when mentioned to many Negroes, causes chills to race up and down the spine. Now, when a high profile and decidedly objective writer grants the collective desire of the White Boston Sports Fan to be characterised as, and placed next to, some of the most fanatical of fanatics: they balk.

We can only assume that if the Sports Guy had given the type of props which fully conveyed how devoted they are as fans, that espn.com would have received thousands of emails of approval.

But, when the compliment on the level of blind faith the fans have comes from a Negro.....well, that is unacceptable.

It's all too clear.

This suspension has nothing to do with Hitler imagery or the message.

It's all about the messenger.

LeBron on Vogue: Approved!

This is a little late. But, as you are well aware, we have been busy helping to entrench the finality of Half-Brother Barrack's coronation as King Democrat.

Much to do was made by several Negro columnist (and more than a few of their white guilt riddled counterparts) protesting and questioning a recent Vogue magazine cover featuring a wonderfully portrayed LeBron James.



One columnist characterised the photo as being like King Kong holding his kidnapped white girl. Insinuating that LeBron was being portrayed as a violent ape, crazed by the possibility of handling a white woman.

From espn.com's Jemele Hill:

A black athlete being reduced to a savage is, sadly, nothing new. But this cover gave you the double-bonus of having LeBron and Gisele strike poses that others in the blogosphere have noted draw a striking resemblance to the racially charged image of King Kong enveloping his very fair-skinned lady love interest.

LeBron is just the third male ever to appear on Vogue's cover, but it's hard to believe Vogue would have made Brett Favre, Steve Nash or even David Beckham strike his best beast pose. And even if Vogue had, it wouldn't carry the same racial undertones as having a fear-inducing black man paired with a dainty damsel.

Too often, black athletes are presented as angry, overly aggressive and overly sexual.

We take offense at Ms Hill's offense.

The notion that James is being portrayed in an offensive way is ignorant. It is fueled by a desire (conscious or not) to conform to the white man's attempts to confine and unsuccessfully refute the Original Man's superiority in physicality.

The evilishness of the plot Ms Hill has found herself being hooked by is that it depends on the Negro to be the one to demand that James image be that of a melba toast, yes sir- no sir nonthreatening minstrel of basketball.

Ha.

James is a beast on the court. Let the white man fear him.

Let the white women imagine being held on that muscular arm of his.

Let them.

And let the Negro not be deceived by this attempt by the mainstream media to use reverse psychology on them. Let the Negro not be bamboozled into forming self-lynching parties to police the Negro ranks and force conformation with the white man's desire to quell the natural Negro physical (add in sexual) domination.

We understand, that as a fairly plain looking Negress, that Ms Hill would be threatened by the uninhibited affirmation of the Original Man's virility. Certainly, she would think that most white women (when presented with such an image) would be compelled to lay themselves down before the Original Man. Lessening her own chance of landing one.

We get that. And are sympathetic to the factors which would help to drag Ms Hill into this plot.

But we ask that she not go about questioning a photo such as this or trying to add some sort of racially offensive overtone to it.

The picture is accurate and real.

Accept it.

If it scares the white folk, it scares them.

We ask that women of Ms Hill's ilk take a moment of silence on this particular non-issue. That they not make an issue out of something that isn't one.

Let the brothers tap that milky nana in peace.

Yes, we can change.

Obama '08

A Cleaned Up Version of NOIS Views?

We know you read our take on Gary Sheffield's most recent media storm.

Think maybe ESPN's Jemele Hill did, too?

No, probably not?

But we certainly like her point of view on it.

You Go Girl!: Jemele Hill Gives Bob Huggins Hell

Normally, we would suggest that women stay in the background and play an ancillary role in sports, politics and philosophy. But today, we may have to change our stance.

ESPN Page 2's columnist Jemele Hill lambasted Kansas State coach Bob Huggins for his decision to walk out on his Manhattan constituency after just a year on the job.

Hill holds no punches, going so far as to title her piece "Huggins wronged Kansas State". Just the type of controversial statement that has made Page 2 the cutting edge of sports commentary, and giving a sample of the deeply insightful analysis to follow.

"Today, though, it's one more reminder that loyalty in sports is as outdated as doing the right thing."

True enough, because the previous reminders that seem to come virtually by the day haven't solidified the concept in our minds that in the world of sports, the bottom line is the bottom line. Money and the chance to improve your situation to make more of it are the magnets that attract loyalty. We needed Page 2's Hill to be the one to take up the gauntlet on this issue and deliver a no holds barred expose on Huggins completely shocking and unexpected early departure from K State. We are glad that Hill, and no one else for that matter, has the gaul to pretend that they saw this coming; and therefore act like this isn't really much of a story.

"Huggins is leaving a school that took a helluva chance on him and chose to believe in him despite an embarrassing graduation rate at Cincinnati and an even more embarrassing drunk-driving incident."

And Huggins deserves all the scolding. Who can fault a school for rolling the dice in this situation and crapping out? A drunk who can't get his kids to go to class?! Certainly any school that offered such an individual the platform to get back into the public eye would be shocked that the man would be on the first bus out of town as soon as he had an offer. One would expect that a man that didn't have the sense to call a cab or have the desire to push his kids to go to class now and then would certainly exhibit Semper Fidelis quality loyalty to the school that allowed him to rehabilitate his soured image.

"You don't turn your back on people who risk themselves for you. KG understands that. So why doesn't Huggins?"

So true. You don't do that. Especially when the other party's motives were purely altruistic and done solely to help the poor soul they took a risk on make a better life for himself. Certainly, their is no selfish aspect in extending a job to a proven winner of questionable character. There would be no expectation of things NOT going as planned, right? Makes one wonder why the author would use the word "risk", when certainly K State didn't foresee anything going wrong. No risk here, right? Cause, you know, if they did believe they were taking a risk, then this wouldn't be all that surprising or upsetting. Or even much of a story. But it is a story. It's on Page 2!

"It's funny. Too many people lambaste and vilify college basketball players for leaving early for the NBA because we are put off by their "selfish" decision to try to set up their families for life financially. But coaches, who already have financial security, are given a free pass regarding their quest for bigger money and bigger stages."

So true. Kevin Durant and Greg Oden (and the Florida Four) have received nothing but heat and ill feelings for entertaining the idea of leaving early. While coaches like Nick Saban (when he jilted LSU for the Dolphins) are ALWAYS given a pat on the bottom and told by the boosters and the fan base that they are still loved forever at the school. You can bet Billy Gillespie will be on the booster club Christmas card list for years to come. The Texas A&M community seems genuinely thrilled for him. Oh, and yeah, the guy this column is about. No hard feelings on his leaving. Not a critical voice out there.

"But there is always going to be a better job, more money and, yes, even a hometown available. And when you allow the pursuit of those things to supersede everything else, your character will inevitably be compromised."

And this is the part that makes the column so poignant, timely, knowledgeable and even controversial (the new hallmarks of Page 2). 'Cause, after all...we are talking about...........

BOB "HUGGYBEAR" HUGGINS.

Shocking!

The only acceptable response from the K State administration would be to deliver a Denny Green-esque soliloquy, "Bob Huggins is who we thought he was."

That's it. End of story.

Jemele has outdone herself and proven why Page 2 is the razor's edge of sports commentary.

Excuse us while we apply some pressure to stop the bleeding.


(edit note: Looks like K State learned nothing from hiring Huggins. Should they expect loyalty from this new coach? Or is this one a hire with "risk", that might lead to what should be no surprise....)