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.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
More Celtics: Players Forced to Acknowledge Scalabrine, Pollard?
As we related a few days ago, the Boston Celtics faced formidable opponents to win the NBA title. The Lakers. And White Boston Sports Fans.
Now that the Celtics have won, the rhetoric coming from some of the most significant contributors to the title makes us wonder:
Are the Black Irish being forced to acknowledge and laud the contributions of the white players at the end of the bench?
“It’s not going to be the three of us that are ultimately going to win the championship,” Ray Allen continued. “It took all 15 players. Scot Pollard contributed before he went down, and Brian Scalabrine was big, stepping up when we needed him. The things guys like that did for us as a team allowed us to shape this team.
Are we to believe that Allen, who tied a Finals record for most 3 pointers in a game and broke the record for 3 pointers in a series, spoke this propaganda on his own accord? Are we to believe that any of the top 10 players on the Celtics believe that Scalabrine or Pollard played any larger role on this team than simply appeasing the White Boston Sports Fan base?
Perhaps the most revealing indicator of the Scalabrine/Pollard factor is this:
Though he (Scalabrine) sat on the bench in street clothes, the forward ran into the locker room just prior to the end of the game and put on his uniform for the postgame celebration.
Now that the Celtics have won, the rhetoric coming from some of the most significant contributors to the title makes us wonder:
Are the Black Irish being forced to acknowledge and laud the contributions of the white players at the end of the bench?
“It’s not going to be the three of us that are ultimately going to win the championship,” Ray Allen continued. “It took all 15 players. Scot Pollard contributed before he went down, and Brian Scalabrine was big, stepping up when we needed him. The things guys like that did for us as a team allowed us to shape this team.
Are we to believe that Allen, who tied a Finals record for most 3 pointers in a game and broke the record for 3 pointers in a series, spoke this propaganda on his own accord? Are we to believe that any of the top 10 players on the Celtics believe that Scalabrine or Pollard played any larger role on this team than simply appeasing the White Boston Sports Fan base?
Perhaps the most revealing indicator of the Scalabrine/Pollard factor is this:
Though he (Scalabrine) sat on the bench in street clothes, the forward ran into the locker room just prior to the end of the game and put on his uniform for the postgame celebration.
Certainly, the White Boston Sports Fans needed at least one pale skinned, Lurch-like 'hero' to be in a Celtics uniform when photographs were taken for posterity.
“I’ll tell you, it’s not that difficult to do,” he said. “Guess what? Maybe you could say I didn’t play a second, but in five years you guys are going to forget. “In 10 years I’ll still be a champion,” said Scalabrine. “In 20 years I’ll tell my kids I probably started, and in 30 years I’ll probably tell them I got the MVP. So I’m probably not too worried about it.”
So, the White Boston Sports Fans will get their wish. And another unathletic white guy will be added to the legend of the Boston Celtics greats: Havlicek, Cousy, Cowens, Heinson, McHale, Bird, etc....
And now, Brian Scalabrine. MVP of the 2008 NBA Finals.
Yet another example of revisionist, 'American' history...and the quest to erase the accomplishments of the Negro.
UNC: We May Never Know
Great news for Tarheel fans.
Lawson, Green and Ellington are all coming back to Chapel Hill. That, coupled with the return of Tyler Hansbrough allows the Heels to be the prohibitive favorites next season.
It also allows the rest of us to wonder:
How good is Tyler Hansbrough. Really.
We were looking forward to the departures of Lawson, Green and Ellington. Not because we wish ill will toward the Heels. But, we wanted Hansbrough to have the opportunity to prove to the world that he is one of the greatest collegiate players of all time.
Unfortunately, now he has so much returning support, that we won't really know if all the awards and praise are truly his.
Last season, Hansbrough was the Heels standout. The heart and soul of a talented team. But, certainly the leader.
We had hoped that Hansbrough would be given the opportunity to take his leadership ability and his relentless effort to the next level. To be put in a position in which he was the only option for success. To have the chance to prove once and for all that if he goes down as the greatest Heel of all time...that it is he, and not those other players, that deserve immortality.
Unfortunately, if he has a huge season and wins a title; we will be left forever to wonder:
Is Hansbrough that great, or is it those 5 or 6 athletic Negroes that make him seem so good.
Lawson, Green and Ellington are all coming back to Chapel Hill. That, coupled with the return of Tyler Hansbrough allows the Heels to be the prohibitive favorites next season.
It also allows the rest of us to wonder:
How good is Tyler Hansbrough. Really.
We were looking forward to the departures of Lawson, Green and Ellington. Not because we wish ill will toward the Heels. But, we wanted Hansbrough to have the opportunity to prove to the world that he is one of the greatest collegiate players of all time.
Unfortunately, now he has so much returning support, that we won't really know if all the awards and praise are truly his.
Last season, Hansbrough was the Heels standout. The heart and soul of a talented team. But, certainly the leader.
We had hoped that Hansbrough would be given the opportunity to take his leadership ability and his relentless effort to the next level. To be put in a position in which he was the only option for success. To have the chance to prove once and for all that if he goes down as the greatest Heel of all time...that it is he, and not those other players, that deserve immortality.
Unfortunately, if he has a huge season and wins a title; we will be left forever to wonder:
Is Hansbrough that great, or is it those 5 or 6 athletic Negroes that make him seem so good.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Boston Celtics: A Tale of Two Battles
Beantown.
Bahston.
A city that loves its sports teams. A city that loves itself.
But, also a city stigmatized for generations by the perception that it is not Negro friendly. Which, for any large urban environment in the 21st century is certainly out of the ordinary.
Rich in basketball tradition, the Boston Celtics built a dynasty through the leadership of a short, bald white coach riding the back of a tall, athletic Negro center. A thoroughbred doing most of the work. A little jockey getting all the credit.
The next Boston Celtic run was led by a brilliant Negro coach. He used his brilliant strategies, basketball knowledge and motivation techniques to somehow coax greatness out of some tall, gangly white fellows with little athleticism and even less tenacity. His run, turning these players into recognizable talents, was perhaps the greatest coaching job in NBA history.
And now, Boston makes another run. With a ten man rotation made entirely of Original cagers. And a tactical field general of the Zulu Nation calling the shots. Certainly, this is not what your average Bostonian has in mind when he envisions the Celtics.
Nonetheless, without the advantage of having the best player on the court. Without the benefit of having a tall, ambiguously Euro-femme Caucazoid to appease the 'fans'. The Celtics' general has outmaneuvered the Lakers' egocentric coach.
As the series returns to Boston with the Celts leading 3-2, victory on the court seems all but asured. But these Celtics have banded together to try for another victory.
A victory over the stigmatism of representing Boston fans, while being a Negro.
Certainly, it can't be easy night after night to take the court in the Garden. Knowing that while the fans cheer for your Green uniform, they detest your Negro skin. That while they stand and applaud your baskets. They loath your speech and values. That while the front of your jersey reads Boston, they'd prefer you lived elsewhere.
It's a two bladed razor upon which these valorous Celtics walk.
Not only must the players somehow fight on knowing the fans love the Celtics, but hate Negroes...they must also somehow justify representing the Celtics' fans to the Negro community.
No amount of money could ever alleviate the pain that these players must endure. Branded by the sinister 'shamrock', these men are paraded like animals night after night in front of the Boston fans. And then shipped off for trips, forced to fight for the honor of Boston elsewhere.
Clearly, it is love for each other and love for the game which spurs this Boston team to great heights. Bonded together by the on-court combat. Listening to the coach during time outs as he highlights the battle plan. And seeing the two pale roster quotas in suits at the end of the bench. No, money could never spark the fire required to light this flame.
Pride. Unity. And righteousness. Those are what this is about. The opportunity to win a championship. To hoist a trophy.
And to set themselves free from the oppression enacted upon them by the ghosts of Red Auerbach and the Boston sports fans.
So, Boston fans, remember this:
When the Celtics win the championship, they will have beaten you. The franchise will claim that this is the 17th title in their history. But that is wrong.
This is not Boston's title.
This, much like Obama's victory over Hillary, is one step closer to equality and absolute freedom for Negro America.
This title is Negro America's first.
This title is symbolic of the change being brought by Obama.
This title is the emancipation of the Negro athlete from the shackled existence provided by the apartheid like environment of Boston.
And, the MVP of this championship is the inevitable president, Barack Obama.
His victory over the political machinations of White America supplied the impetus for this Celtic victory over the White Boston Sports Fan.
Every cheer for the Celtics, is a vote for Obama!
Bahston.
A city that loves its sports teams. A city that loves itself.
But, also a city stigmatized for generations by the perception that it is not Negro friendly. Which, for any large urban environment in the 21st century is certainly out of the ordinary.
Rich in basketball tradition, the Boston Celtics built a dynasty through the leadership of a short, bald white coach riding the back of a tall, athletic Negro center. A thoroughbred doing most of the work. A little jockey getting all the credit.
The next Boston Celtic run was led by a brilliant Negro coach. He used his brilliant strategies, basketball knowledge and motivation techniques to somehow coax greatness out of some tall, gangly white fellows with little athleticism and even less tenacity. His run, turning these players into recognizable talents, was perhaps the greatest coaching job in NBA history.
And now, Boston makes another run. With a ten man rotation made entirely of Original cagers. And a tactical field general of the Zulu Nation calling the shots. Certainly, this is not what your average Bostonian has in mind when he envisions the Celtics.
Nonetheless, without the advantage of having the best player on the court. Without the benefit of having a tall, ambiguously Euro-femme Caucazoid to appease the 'fans'. The Celtics' general has outmaneuvered the Lakers' egocentric coach.
As the series returns to Boston with the Celts leading 3-2, victory on the court seems all but asured. But these Celtics have banded together to try for another victory.
A victory over the stigmatism of representing Boston fans, while being a Negro.
Certainly, it can't be easy night after night to take the court in the Garden. Knowing that while the fans cheer for your Green uniform, they detest your Negro skin. That while they stand and applaud your baskets. They loath your speech and values. That while the front of your jersey reads Boston, they'd prefer you lived elsewhere.
It's a two bladed razor upon which these valorous Celtics walk.
Not only must the players somehow fight on knowing the fans love the Celtics, but hate Negroes...they must also somehow justify representing the Celtics' fans to the Negro community.
No amount of money could ever alleviate the pain that these players must endure. Branded by the sinister 'shamrock', these men are paraded like animals night after night in front of the Boston fans. And then shipped off for trips, forced to fight for the honor of Boston elsewhere.
Clearly, it is love for each other and love for the game which spurs this Boston team to great heights. Bonded together by the on-court combat. Listening to the coach during time outs as he highlights the battle plan. And seeing the two pale roster quotas in suits at the end of the bench. No, money could never spark the fire required to light this flame.
Pride. Unity. And righteousness. Those are what this is about. The opportunity to win a championship. To hoist a trophy.
And to set themselves free from the oppression enacted upon them by the ghosts of Red Auerbach and the Boston sports fans.
So, Boston fans, remember this:
When the Celtics win the championship, they will have beaten you. The franchise will claim that this is the 17th title in their history. But that is wrong.
This is not Boston's title.
This, much like Obama's victory over Hillary, is one step closer to equality and absolute freedom for Negro America.
This title is Negro America's first.
This title is symbolic of the change being brought by Obama.
This title is the emancipation of the Negro athlete from the shackled existence provided by the apartheid like environment of Boston.
And, the MVP of this championship is the inevitable president, Barack Obama.
His victory over the political machinations of White America supplied the impetus for this Celtic victory over the White Boston Sports Fan.
Every cheer for the Celtics, is a vote for Obama!
More NASCAR: Lawyer for Harassed Negro Speaks
Benedict Morelli, the lawyer for Mauricia Grant (former NASCAR official), allowed for an interview with cnnsi.com.
Mr. Morelli shed some light on the highlights of the law suit, and candidly stated that NASCAR would have to pay a lot of money. A bit unusual not to wrap his client strictly in the 'I am trying to change the world' banner. But, he did go on to voice those intentions as well.
"It's appears to be an old boys' club with a lot of people who have known each other for a long time," he said. "Some of the executives have people working for them who they've known for 20 years and they used to race cars together. This isn't a sophisticated operation; this is a bunch of nudniks hanging around together who just happen to be onto something because they were enterprising what is now a billion-dollar business. And they haven't caught up with the fact that America actually has laws protecting women, people of color, people over 40 years old, etcetera."
Certainly, our more enlightened readers will notice that this is not unlike what is going on right now in Washington. A broken system that is designed to benefit the chosen few being met head on by a dark cloud of change.
We foresee many of the barriers in NASCAR that are confronted by Ms. Grant as being similar to those that are awaiting Halfrican-American President soon to be elect Obama. Well, minus the genitalia being exposed.
But Brother Obama certainly will be the punchline to many racist jokes. His accomplishments will be diminished, and his shortcomings certainly accentuated. And the good ole boy insiders will certainly do their best to make him uncomfortable.
"It only takes one woman with courage to stand up and say this is unacceptable," he claims. "I said [to my client], she's going to have to have a lot of courage, because this is going to get very intense before it ever gets resolved. I explained this to her and she said she understands; but I swore to her that she really doesn't understand ... she really doesn't."
Again, a not dissimilar characterization also of that which Brother Obama has undertaken.
We're in a world -- 2008 -- the first time a woman ever came close to getting the nomination for the presidency," he said. "And a black man did. [With that in mind,] it would probably behoove NASCAR to really be into diversity. We know that America is changing, but we have to change all the important institutions within America for us to have respect not only for ourselves, but for other people to have respect for us. And we have to do it with a real eye toward doing the right thing.
Indeed. Mr. Morelli has found wisdom in his suggestion for us to do the right thing. And the right thing is normally to diversify. Those ironclad institutions, guarded so closely by the persecutorial powers so desperate to maintain their deathgrip control over freedom and civil rights, must be overwhelmed by a tidal wave of diversity. Day after day goes by with a large segment of the population's need going unmet. Needs that must be addressed. Needs that hold the future of our country in the balance. Just as Obama intends to meet the variety of needs that can be addressed from the Oval Office, Mr. Morelli will take the baton being passed by Ms Grant to meet the needs of the disenfranchised and under served minorities so desperate to be fans of and play a role in NASCAR.
"I'm a lawyer approximately 31 years; this case will not change my life. But I want to change the culture at NASCAR. And so does my client. You can't just hire women or people of color and not change the culture. You just can't get Magic Johnson and put his name to [NASCAR's Diversity Programs] and say you're diversified. You can't get one black woman, give her a job, and say you're diversified. You can't have five black officials out of 200 and say you're diversified. It doesn't make sense."
And, what about the damage done to Mr. Johnson. Misleading him into believing he was a part of true diversity program. Attaching his name to NASCAR under the guise that the intention was to develop and invigorate a robust and meaningful plan to provide for the opportunities for Negroes to be employed by NASCAR; and then eventually watch NASCAR.
Mr. Johnson may well be as much a victim in all this as Ms. Grant and Brother Obama.
"You know, when people have already said to me and to her: Well, you probably knew what you were getting into when you went to NASCAR; you have to have thick skin and all of that. And you know what my response to that is? No and No. You don't have to have thick skin when someone's calling you 'Nappy-headed Mo.' You don't have to have thick skin when someone says, 'You're on colored people's time.' OK, you don't have to have thick skin when someone pulls their pants down and shows you their penis. You don't have to have thick skin. What you have to do is tell these people that are doing these outrageous things -- can you imagine that one of these officials said to her that [his buddy's daddy] is high in the KKK and he wanted her to know that. And I don't believe that she has to have thick skin. I believe they have to abide by the law.
Here, Mr. Morelli speaks directly to NOIS. We were those people who said Ms. Grant should have not been surprised by what happened. We were those people who still counsel the Negro to run the other way when they hear KKK, NASCAR or FBI.
We agree that, regardless of history or image, the individual can not be faulted for attempting to chase a dream or to help in the diversification process. We also agree that those attempting to thwart the increase in diversity should abide by the law.
The notion that it is fair or just or even reasonable to attempt to stall the winds of change by illegal action is simply misguided.
Clearly, this will all be addressed in court. The evidence will be brought to view. And a decision will be reached.
NASCAR could avoid all this by doing the right thing. By being more diverse and providing Ms. Grant with funding to begin her initiative.
Or, NASCAR could tarnish its image and fight diversity. Alienating a large segment of the population in the process.
The winds of change are upon us.
America is at the cusp of putting a Negro in the White House.
It's time for NASCAR to step into the same century.
Pay the lady.
Mr. Morelli shed some light on the highlights of the law suit, and candidly stated that NASCAR would have to pay a lot of money. A bit unusual not to wrap his client strictly in the 'I am trying to change the world' banner. But, he did go on to voice those intentions as well.
"It's appears to be an old boys' club with a lot of people who have known each other for a long time," he said. "Some of the executives have people working for them who they've known for 20 years and they used to race cars together. This isn't a sophisticated operation; this is a bunch of nudniks hanging around together who just happen to be onto something because they were enterprising what is now a billion-dollar business. And they haven't caught up with the fact that America actually has laws protecting women, people of color, people over 40 years old, etcetera."
Certainly, our more enlightened readers will notice that this is not unlike what is going on right now in Washington. A broken system that is designed to benefit the chosen few being met head on by a dark cloud of change.
We foresee many of the barriers in NASCAR that are confronted by Ms. Grant as being similar to those that are awaiting Halfrican-American President soon to be elect Obama. Well, minus the genitalia being exposed.
But Brother Obama certainly will be the punchline to many racist jokes. His accomplishments will be diminished, and his shortcomings certainly accentuated. And the good ole boy insiders will certainly do their best to make him uncomfortable.
"It only takes one woman with courage to stand up and say this is unacceptable," he claims. "I said [to my client], she's going to have to have a lot of courage, because this is going to get very intense before it ever gets resolved. I explained this to her and she said she understands; but I swore to her that she really doesn't understand ... she really doesn't."
Again, a not dissimilar characterization also of that which Brother Obama has undertaken.
We're in a world -- 2008 -- the first time a woman ever came close to getting the nomination for the presidency," he said. "And a black man did. [With that in mind,] it would probably behoove NASCAR to really be into diversity. We know that America is changing, but we have to change all the important institutions within America for us to have respect not only for ourselves, but for other people to have respect for us. And we have to do it with a real eye toward doing the right thing.
Indeed. Mr. Morelli has found wisdom in his suggestion for us to do the right thing. And the right thing is normally to diversify. Those ironclad institutions, guarded so closely by the persecutorial powers so desperate to maintain their deathgrip control over freedom and civil rights, must be overwhelmed by a tidal wave of diversity. Day after day goes by with a large segment of the population's need going unmet. Needs that must be addressed. Needs that hold the future of our country in the balance. Just as Obama intends to meet the variety of needs that can be addressed from the Oval Office, Mr. Morelli will take the baton being passed by Ms Grant to meet the needs of the disenfranchised and under served minorities so desperate to be fans of and play a role in NASCAR.
"I'm a lawyer approximately 31 years; this case will not change my life. But I want to change the culture at NASCAR. And so does my client. You can't just hire women or people of color and not change the culture. You just can't get Magic Johnson and put his name to [NASCAR's Diversity Programs] and say you're diversified. You can't get one black woman, give her a job, and say you're diversified. You can't have five black officials out of 200 and say you're diversified. It doesn't make sense."
And, what about the damage done to Mr. Johnson. Misleading him into believing he was a part of true diversity program. Attaching his name to NASCAR under the guise that the intention was to develop and invigorate a robust and meaningful plan to provide for the opportunities for Negroes to be employed by NASCAR; and then eventually watch NASCAR.
Mr. Johnson may well be as much a victim in all this as Ms. Grant and Brother Obama.
"You know, when people have already said to me and to her: Well, you probably knew what you were getting into when you went to NASCAR; you have to have thick skin and all of that. And you know what my response to that is? No and No. You don't have to have thick skin when someone's calling you 'Nappy-headed Mo.' You don't have to have thick skin when someone says, 'You're on colored people's time.' OK, you don't have to have thick skin when someone pulls their pants down and shows you their penis. You don't have to have thick skin. What you have to do is tell these people that are doing these outrageous things -- can you imagine that one of these officials said to her that [his buddy's daddy] is high in the KKK and he wanted her to know that. And I don't believe that she has to have thick skin. I believe they have to abide by the law.
Here, Mr. Morelli speaks directly to NOIS. We were those people who said Ms. Grant should have not been surprised by what happened. We were those people who still counsel the Negro to run the other way when they hear KKK, NASCAR or FBI.
We agree that, regardless of history or image, the individual can not be faulted for attempting to chase a dream or to help in the diversification process. We also agree that those attempting to thwart the increase in diversity should abide by the law.
The notion that it is fair or just or even reasonable to attempt to stall the winds of change by illegal action is simply misguided.
Clearly, this will all be addressed in court. The evidence will be brought to view. And a decision will be reached.
NASCAR could avoid all this by doing the right thing. By being more diverse and providing Ms. Grant with funding to begin her initiative.
Or, NASCAR could tarnish its image and fight diversity. Alienating a large segment of the population in the process.
The winds of change are upon us.
America is at the cusp of putting a Negro in the White House.
It's time for NASCAR to step into the same century.
Pay the lady.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Orlando Brown: Life After Football
Congratulations to Orlando Brown.
You may remember Brown. He is a former NFL offensive lineman. When he was a member of the Cleveland Browns, he was viciously assaulted with a weapon by an official. The official used a loaded penalty flag to attempt to rob Brown of his eyesight, and his career.
Brown battled back. Fighting through the extensive rehab and psychological damage inflicted as a result of the attack. He even was picked up again years later by the Ravens.
Unfortunately, what seemed destined to be a long and successful career never panned out.
But, Brown has moved forward and is setting a prime example that life can begin after football. Even if that life after football is prematurely forced upon a player by a Caucasian referee with a 'weapon'.
Congratulations to Orlando Brown as his career as an entrepreneur kicks off with his opening of a Fatburger franchise in Columbia, MD. It is slated to open in August.
We wish him the greatest of success as he continues to attempt to recover his life from those that would have held him down.
You may remember Brown. He is a former NFL offensive lineman. When he was a member of the Cleveland Browns, he was viciously assaulted with a weapon by an official. The official used a loaded penalty flag to attempt to rob Brown of his eyesight, and his career.
Brown battled back. Fighting through the extensive rehab and psychological damage inflicted as a result of the attack. He even was picked up again years later by the Ravens.
Unfortunately, what seemed destined to be a long and successful career never panned out.
But, Brown has moved forward and is setting a prime example that life can begin after football. Even if that life after football is prematurely forced upon a player by a Caucasian referee with a 'weapon'.
Congratulations to Orlando Brown as his career as an entrepreneur kicks off with his opening of a Fatburger franchise in Columbia, MD. It is slated to open in August.
We wish him the greatest of success as he continues to attempt to recover his life from those that would have held him down.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Writer of the Day
We scoured the internet to find the most word-smithy characterization of a sports related event or topic.
Today's winner: Bucky Brooks of cnnsi.com.
Another team with an unsettled quarterback situation is Baltimore. Troy Smith's surprising development over the offseason has changed the complexion of what was supposed to be a two-man race between veteran Kyle Boller and rookie Joe Flacco.
Brilliance!
Nothing else needs to be said.
Runner up: Frank Deford, also of SI.
You see, at the end of the day, for golf to go green and accommodate itself to the real world, it's simply going to have to be much more brown.
Indeed!
We have been saying this for years. Tiger needs company.
Today's winner: Bucky Brooks of cnnsi.com.
Another team with an unsettled quarterback situation is Baltimore. Troy Smith's surprising development over the offseason has changed the complexion of what was supposed to be a two-man race between veteran Kyle Boller and rookie Joe Flacco.
Brilliance!
Nothing else needs to be said.
Runner up: Frank Deford, also of SI.
You see, at the end of the day, for golf to go green and accommodate itself to the real world, it's simply going to have to be much more brown.
Indeed!
We have been saying this for years. Tiger needs company.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Breaking News!!!!: Racism in NASCAR
Born on the rural roads of the Carolinas as a way for bootleggers to measure their back roads driving skills and prowess, stock car racing is as ingrained in the Southern rural culture as grits and red eye gravy.
As the decades have passed and NASCAR has become a billion dollar industry with fans in areas of the country known for things other than the 'Stars and Bars' and pickup trucks, the spinsters and marketers of the organization have tried hard to change the image.
We've been led to believe that watching men drive in a circle for 5 hours on a Sunday is 'mainstream'. We've been told that the thrill of the race isn't just the speed (which is debatable, if you have been to Martinsville or Bristol, anyway), but the strategy. We've been told that these men who sit in a car turning left for 5 hours are 'athletes' and that it takes measurable stamina and strength to perform as they do.
We've been told that it is an American sport, through and through. The NASCAR crowd is middle America. It is hot dogs, Mom and apple pie.
Well, now it seems that this may not be the case. It seems that the sport that originated in the South and is now revered by some as a means to uphold and propagate 'Southern' traditions, may be a hot bed for.........intolerance.
The 32-year-old Grant, who is black, worked as a technical inspector responsible for certifying cars in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series from January 2005 until her termination. In the lawsuit, she alleged she was referred to as "Nappy Headed Mo" and "Queen Sheba" by co-workers, was often told she worked on "colored people time" and was frightened by one official who routinely made references to the Ku Klux Klan.
For the uninitiated, 'colored people time' (or cpt) is meant as a disparaging reference to insinuate that Ms. Grant didn't work full days and was not punctual.
Despite this culture of intolerance, prejudice and out right antagonism, Ms Grant liked her job.
"I loved it. It was a great, exciting, adrenaline-filled job where I worked with fast cars and the best drivers in the world," Grant told The Associated Press. "But there was an ongoing daily pattern [of harassment]. It was the nature of the people I worked with, the people who ran it, it trickled down from the top.
Some of the allegations are astounding, if not unexpected.
Grant was forced to work outside more often than the white male officials because her supervisors believed she couldn't sunburn because she was black.
While riding in the backseat of her car pool at Talladega Superspeedway, co-workers told her to duck as they passed race fans. "I don't want to start a riot when these fans see a black woman in my car," she claims one official said.
When packing up a dark garage at Texas Motor Speedway an official told Grant: "Keep smiling and pop your eyes out 'cause we can't see you."
"Does your workout include an urban obstacle course with a flat-screen TV on your back?" she claimed Balash asked her during the week of July 28, 2007, while working in Indianapolis.
Now, all this would be funny in a Dave Chapelle sketch.
But, when it happens while you are at work, there is nothing funny about it.
Certainly, we recognize that Ms. Grant has been wronged. And, more certainly, punishment must come to the offenders.
But, common sense and righteousness must prevail.
We would proffer that Ms. Grant should never have taken the job in the first place. Clearly, a Negro woman working in what is essentially a large scale KKK meeting is not a good idea.
When one accepts employment, one also accepts the certain obvious dangers involved. If she had been hired by a circus to walk a tight rope, and fell and broke her legs, would anyone be the least bit surprised?
That is essentially what happened here. Ms. Grant picked up a stick and poked a bear.
We are talking about NASCAR! What sane Negro would accept employment with them and not expect to be maligned, mistreated, harassed, shamed, whipped, shackled and eventually lynched?
While we do support Ms. Grant's request for over $200M, we must admonish her for her lapse in reason, judgment and understanding of human nature.
And, while we know that her treatment should have been expected; we also know it was not right.
Therefore, NOIS announces that for the rest of this season, we will not be making anymore NASCAR posts.
Additionally, we will be organizing a Nation-wide Negro boycott of all NASCAR events. It will be called the Great Oh Eight NASCAR Black-out.
Together, we can hit them in their wallet and make it hurt.
As the decades have passed and NASCAR has become a billion dollar industry with fans in areas of the country known for things other than the 'Stars and Bars' and pickup trucks, the spinsters and marketers of the organization have tried hard to change the image.
We've been led to believe that watching men drive in a circle for 5 hours on a Sunday is 'mainstream'. We've been told that the thrill of the race isn't just the speed (which is debatable, if you have been to Martinsville or Bristol, anyway), but the strategy. We've been told that these men who sit in a car turning left for 5 hours are 'athletes' and that it takes measurable stamina and strength to perform as they do.
We've been told that it is an American sport, through and through. The NASCAR crowd is middle America. It is hot dogs, Mom and apple pie.
Well, now it seems that this may not be the case. It seems that the sport that originated in the South and is now revered by some as a means to uphold and propagate 'Southern' traditions, may be a hot bed for.........intolerance.
The 32-year-old Grant, who is black, worked as a technical inspector responsible for certifying cars in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series from January 2005 until her termination. In the lawsuit, she alleged she was referred to as "Nappy Headed Mo" and "Queen Sheba" by co-workers, was often told she worked on "colored people time" and was frightened by one official who routinely made references to the Ku Klux Klan.
For the uninitiated, 'colored people time' (or cpt) is meant as a disparaging reference to insinuate that Ms. Grant didn't work full days and was not punctual.
Despite this culture of intolerance, prejudice and out right antagonism, Ms Grant liked her job.
"I loved it. It was a great, exciting, adrenaline-filled job where I worked with fast cars and the best drivers in the world," Grant told The Associated Press. "But there was an ongoing daily pattern [of harassment]. It was the nature of the people I worked with, the people who ran it, it trickled down from the top.
Some of the allegations are astounding, if not unexpected.
Grant was forced to work outside more often than the white male officials because her supervisors believed she couldn't sunburn because she was black.
While riding in the backseat of her car pool at Talladega Superspeedway, co-workers told her to duck as they passed race fans. "I don't want to start a riot when these fans see a black woman in my car," she claims one official said.
When packing up a dark garage at Texas Motor Speedway an official told Grant: "Keep smiling and pop your eyes out 'cause we can't see you."
"Does your workout include an urban obstacle course with a flat-screen TV on your back?" she claimed Balash asked her during the week of July 28, 2007, while working in Indianapolis.
Now, all this would be funny in a Dave Chapelle sketch.
But, when it happens while you are at work, there is nothing funny about it.
Certainly, we recognize that Ms. Grant has been wronged. And, more certainly, punishment must come to the offenders.
But, common sense and righteousness must prevail.
We would proffer that Ms. Grant should never have taken the job in the first place. Clearly, a Negro woman working in what is essentially a large scale KKK meeting is not a good idea.
When one accepts employment, one also accepts the certain obvious dangers involved. If she had been hired by a circus to walk a tight rope, and fell and broke her legs, would anyone be the least bit surprised?
That is essentially what happened here. Ms. Grant picked up a stick and poked a bear.
We are talking about NASCAR! What sane Negro would accept employment with them and not expect to be maligned, mistreated, harassed, shamed, whipped, shackled and eventually lynched?
While we do support Ms. Grant's request for over $200M, we must admonish her for her lapse in reason, judgment and understanding of human nature.
And, while we know that her treatment should have been expected; we also know it was not right.
Therefore, NOIS announces that for the rest of this season, we will not be making anymore NASCAR posts.
Additionally, we will be organizing a Nation-wide Negro boycott of all NASCAR events. It will be called the Great Oh Eight NASCAR Black-out.
Together, we can hit them in their wallet and make it hurt.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Nick Kaczur: When Will He Be Suspended?
You have read the story.
New England Patriot busted for possession of pharmaceuticals to feed his habit. Patriot cooperates with law enforcement to help sting dealer. Patriot admired by all and hailed as hero. Patriot attending OTA's and team says any punishment will be handled 'internally'. If and when charges are filed.
Quick question: Who believes charges will be filed?
We don't either.
And, the reality is that it shouldn't matter.
The NFL has set a precedent that it is willing to suspend players prior to convictions or charges being filed.
Pacman Jones was barred without major charges. And there has still been no conviction. Michael Vick was long gone before he was cuffed and stuffed.
Both Pacman and Vick, when it became clear that it was to their benefit, cooperated with law enforcement. Just like Kaczur. Yet, their cooperation hasn't brought them accolades. Or hastened their return to the field.
Why is Kaczur at OTAs? Why is Roger Goodell not summoning him to NYC to plead to stay in the league? Why are the Patriots not turning their backs on him?
Is it simply that he cooperated with the police? Is that why this is going to result in more than likely no major charges and no punishment? Does his turning over his drug dealer absolve him of his crimes? Does it make it ok that he tarnished the image of the NFL?
The NFL and the Patriots are walking a slippery slope. Regardless iof whether charges are even filed.
Clearly, if Kaczur had a drug dealer to inform on....he bought drugs from the guy in the past. It doesn't take Columbo to figure that out. And the NFL has shown in the Pacman case that it is not compelled to wait for the judiciary process to mete out punishment.
So whats the hold up? Why are neither the NFL nor the Pats moving on this?
Cedric Benson recently was the recipient of a DUI. A few weeks ago he had a run in with the police also. Neither incident has been fully investigated or resolved, yet the Chicago papers are reporting that his days on the team are numbered.
Maybe if he had divulged to police who sold him the liquor he drank, he'd be off the hook?
We take a lot of heat on this blog for pointing out the injustices and double standards in sports. Our righteous preachings are often met with the obstinate and blind rebuttals of those that live in a world in which equality reins.
Clearly, Nick Kaczur lives in that world. A world which allows for redemption (see Josh Hamilton). A world governed by a certain compassion.
In our last post, we asked the question: Is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
Ask Nick Kaczur.
The NFL and the Patriots have answered the question.
New England Patriot busted for possession of pharmaceuticals to feed his habit. Patriot cooperates with law enforcement to help sting dealer. Patriot admired by all and hailed as hero. Patriot attending OTA's and team says any punishment will be handled 'internally'. If and when charges are filed.
Quick question: Who believes charges will be filed?
We don't either.
And, the reality is that it shouldn't matter.
The NFL has set a precedent that it is willing to suspend players prior to convictions or charges being filed.
Pacman Jones was barred without major charges. And there has still been no conviction. Michael Vick was long gone before he was cuffed and stuffed.
Both Pacman and Vick, when it became clear that it was to their benefit, cooperated with law enforcement. Just like Kaczur. Yet, their cooperation hasn't brought them accolades. Or hastened their return to the field.
Why is Kaczur at OTAs? Why is Roger Goodell not summoning him to NYC to plead to stay in the league? Why are the Patriots not turning their backs on him?
Is it simply that he cooperated with the police? Is that why this is going to result in more than likely no major charges and no punishment? Does his turning over his drug dealer absolve him of his crimes? Does it make it ok that he tarnished the image of the NFL?
The NFL and the Patriots are walking a slippery slope. Regardless iof whether charges are even filed.
Clearly, if Kaczur had a drug dealer to inform on....he bought drugs from the guy in the past. It doesn't take Columbo to figure that out. And the NFL has shown in the Pacman case that it is not compelled to wait for the judiciary process to mete out punishment.
So whats the hold up? Why are neither the NFL nor the Pats moving on this?
Cedric Benson recently was the recipient of a DUI. A few weeks ago he had a run in with the police also. Neither incident has been fully investigated or resolved, yet the Chicago papers are reporting that his days on the team are numbered.
Maybe if he had divulged to police who sold him the liquor he drank, he'd be off the hook?
We take a lot of heat on this blog for pointing out the injustices and double standards in sports. Our righteous preachings are often met with the obstinate and blind rebuttals of those that live in a world in which equality reins.
Clearly, Nick Kaczur lives in that world. A world which allows for redemption (see Josh Hamilton). A world governed by a certain compassion.
In our last post, we asked the question: Is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
Ask Nick Kaczur.
The NFL and the Patriots have answered the question.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Josh Hamilton: Caucasian Love?
As we conducted our daily perusing of the internet to find injustice and topics for our educatory offerings; we came across a post on The Big Lead which got us thinking.
The post covered a discussion that took place on a radio show (on 850 the Buzz) hosted by former ESPN page 2 contributor Bomani Jones (Jones is hosting the show in June and July on weekdays from 3-6PM live_feed) . During a discussion about the great first two months of the season by baseball's Josh Hamilton (Hamilton is the former #1 pick turned drug addict, turned recovered potential superstar), Jones wondered if the press was particularly enamored and receptive to the story of Hamilton's redemptive quest and success because of his pale hue and rekindled devotion to Christianity.
Certainly, a fair question. And one that, we at NOIS had discussed amongst ourselves in the past.
In an effort for further clarification, we decided to ask Bomani Jones a few more questions about his take on the subject. And, we also decided to get the opinion of other another prominent Negro sports columnist, Scoop Jackson.
First, our discussion with Bomani (edit. this was a discussion format, so please, those of you that love to send us grammar and spelling corrections...this is unedited/as is....so save the the Ms. Crabapple act):
NOIS: First, there have been black athletes that have fallen, obviously, into a world of drugs. Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden come to mind quite quickly. And, both of those guys went thru periods in which it seemed like they had recovered. Was the media as supportive? As applauding? Positive? I seem to remember the media being skeptical....but that's my memory. The possibility of relapse to addiction is staggering. Is it not odd that the media isn't skeptical about what the future holds for Hamilton? That everyone is so sure that he is on the right road forever?
Bomani: I don't remember Strawberry receiving the same treatment, nor do I remember Gooden throwing a no-hitter for the Yankees being treated as a tale of triumph over adversity. But, I'm also young enough that someone could prove me wrong by doing the LexisNexis search that I'm too tired to do myself right now. The saddest thing about Strawberry didn't come from the media, though. It came from Tom Lasorda, Straw manager when he relapsed in Los Angeles, who refused to acknowledge addiction as a sickness and went out of his way to call it "a weakness."
What's striking to me is the humanity that Hamilton has been afforded the last couple of years. It's a humanity he absolutely deserves, mind you. I've never met a single person that wanted to be strung out, so I'm not about to wag a finger at him for getting hooked on drugs. I applaud him for rising up and reclaiming his life. The baseball thing is secondary to me. I'd be thrilled for him if he was working on a garbage truck and just quit smoking cigarettes.
I can't say for sure exactly why Hamilton's story has been treated as it has. I just know I've never seen a former crack smoker get this much love from anyone, and the sports media hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt on this thing (or much of anything when it comes to race, quite honestly). Never.
In Hamilton's story, he is the protagonist, and addiction is treated as the villain. The dragon isn't slain, but it's a beast that we're made to root against (as we should). In most cases, however, it is the addict that is treated as the villain. That is where this case is different than most i recall seeing.
Check the SI piece (which is well-written, I must say). Hamilton's father-in-law talks about how aware Josh is that "the devil" isn't far away. The Rangers have Jerry Narron with Hamilton as "a friend" and "a precaution," according to Hamilton. All very human stuff.
That's also stuff that, depending on who's behind the keyboard and who's under the microscope, could have been written differently. Narron could have been cast more as a supervisor, someone to make sure he behaves himself. I already talked about stuff like the addiction as "the devil." The question is simply this -- why does Josh Hamilton get such treatment and others don't?
Race certainly isn't the only factor, but you have to consider it. This country has put a black face on it's nonsensical "War on Drugs" from Day One, a strategy that is certainly more about being "tough on crime" than it is about helping anybody, considering that drugs aren't any harder to find than they used to be but these policies haven't undergone much change. Check the history, and you'll find a significant reason that cocaine was made illegal was to protect society from "cocaine crazed Negroes." Policies and perceptions, when it comes to drugs, have always had a racial component.
So people are going to try to tell me that Josh Hamilton, a middle-class white guy, isn't getting different treatment than a black person would? Anyone that says that white drug addicts are not treated with a different level of sympathy than black ones is either stupid, or must think I am, if I'm expected to believe that. If you don't question whether race had something to do with how a story of a white drug addict is reported vis-a-vis a black one, it's only because you don't want to.
Now, as for media skepticism about Hamilton, I'm sure it's there. It has to be. I haven't seen it vocalized much, and maybe that's because doing so interferes with the story (I was accused by many listeners of tainting the story, one I praised on air a few dozen times). It's expressed when you see people talk about all the steps Hamilton takes to avoid temptation -- not going out with teammates, not taking per diem money, etc. -- but that stuff seems to be framed as a testament to his dedication and to the power of the devil.
My frustration, however, is not with how Hamilton's story is being treated. It's the stories that don't get this treatment that make me scratch my head. The depths of Hamilton's addiction, considering that he emerged from them, were unique. Addiction, however, was not, nor is overcoming it.
I can think of addicts with backgrounds that made it far more likely they would get strung out than Josh Hamilton The sordid tale of Chris Washburn, who was shamelessly used his whole basketball playing life, immediately comes to mind. Washburn is a punch line when people talk about cocaine-addicted basketball players, and that's foul.
I just don't think stardom or whiteness or anything else need be coupled with a neat story should be required before treating a recovered addict with respect and humanity.
NOIS: Forgotten in all of this is the fact that Hamilton DID what he did. Certainly, we are a very forgiving society. Do you think that young black athletes, like Pacman Jones, who has been reckless and a poor decision maker...do you think that if he is able to make better decisions, mature and become a solid citizen, that HE will hailed by the media as a 'hero'? Or can he look forward to people saying that the only reason he stopped his reckless behavior was the money?
Bomani: As a hero? Hell no, he won't. Pacman's haunted by demons, and we all know it. It's also worth noting that Pacman hasn't talked to many people about said demons (through a mutual friend that I've known since I was 16, and that he's known his whole life, I was turned down for an interview last year). Would he receive such treatment if he was more open? Mayhaps.
Another part that can't be ignored is that there hasn't been a line of people running to say what a great guy Pacman is or was before. Again, I know people that will vouch for him, and they're people I trust for totally non-business reasons. Most people don't. If people thought he was a bad guy before -- and most did -- then they won't be but so happy to see him succeed. On my show, I had all kinds of people that knew Hamilton from various points in his life talk about what a great guy he is. That is a significant point if Hamilton and Jones are going to be compared with one another (something I did on my show, and something a few of my listeners astutely pointed out, though I don't think this is the only real difference between these two guys).
I know this, though -- a storyline of training camp and beyond with Pacman will be whether he falls back into his bad behavior. It will come up early, and it will probably come up often. Hell, he isn't even really reinstated yet, as they make sure he can get through training camp without sneaking strippers in or something. Can't blame anyone for that, either. It's hard to stop being a knucklehead, even if we're dealing with a knucklehead young enough to grow out of a lot of his problems (like Josh Hamilton did).
If Pacman has four interceptions and a return touchdown in his first five games -- which, ballparking here, is an equivalent start to Hamilton's torrid pace -- you will not see "The Redemption of Pacman Jones" on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Of that, I can guarantee you. But, how much of that will be because Pacman won't be talking? Or because he's not as magnetic as Hamilton? Good questions.
I think Pacman's as haunted by his past as Hamilton was by whatever told him to keep getting high. If he succeeds, he's overcoming, too (and honestly, some would argue that Pacman overcame just by living this long). How do we decide whose triumph over adversity, whether self-inflicted or not, is noble and whose is just a matter of cleaning up his own mess? By whether we like them or not? There's got to be a better standard to use than that.
NOIS: From all accounts, Hamilton came from a fairly solid, stable background. Yet he fell into drugs. No one blamed his 'culture' or background for what happened. Yet, when a black athlete makes poor decisions, many in the media want to drag his 'culture' down with him. No one says, 'josh hamilton fell victim to the ills of his middle class white upbringing...and that is why he had those horrible few years'.....yet, regardless of the background of a black athlete who makes bad moves, 'black' culture is called into question...when a white athlete falls, it is simply an indictment of the white athlete....when a black athlete falls, it is an indictment of the athlete, his upbringing, black society and anything else that can be thrown in.....(I guess that wasn't a question....it was just a rant....sorry.....lol)
Bomani: The curse of blackness is as follows -- nothing good you do represents anyone but you, and it barely does that much. The bad you do represents every single black person on this side of Senegal AND the culture they subscribe to. Now, the killer is that black culture is treated as separate from this larger culture that is America.
Michael Moore did a movie called "Roger and Me" a long time ago, a film about life in Flint, Mich. after a plant closing. Long of the short -- General Motors did those hard-working Americans dirty, and leaving town was part of why crime began to skyrocket. It's a fair point Moore makes.
When I think of Flint, I think of some hard ass ghettoes and gangs. I know black folks from Michigan, so I think of the things they tell me about the place (I've never been there). The way I see it, gangs thrive in situations of poverty, the kind of poverty that comes when a blue-collar industry that employs vast swaths of people goes away. In other words, I doubt the gang situation in Flint would be what some say it is had automobile industry not pulled out. It's the same way Baltimore wouldn't have become what it is now -- now that, I've seen -- had the shipping industry not died.
Dollars to donuts says when people see those boys bangin' in Flint, they blame black culture, the same way they do when they see boys selling dope in Baltimore. If they see struggling white people in Flint, they want to spit on General Motors.
See what I mean?
I personally long for the day that I am afforded my God-given American right to not give a flying fuck about anybody else when I do something, whether it be good or bad. I long for the day when my mistakes are my own, and I'm not expected to represent 20 or 30 million people with every word I say. That's a luxury white folks have that other groups don't, and it's something they should feel really grateful for -- the comfort in knowing that the behavior of people you've never met has absolutely no effect on your life. I really wonder what that's like.
Certainly, some folks who listened to Bomani's show, or have heard others mention that Hamilton is getting more positive media support because of his sun-starved skin naturally jumped to the prerequisite conclusion that Jones and others were simply playing the 'race card'. Complaining and mentioning race as means to gain attention for themselves. Or, are so race fixated that they see racism at every turn.
If you read Jones' comments here, you would understand that it is much deeper than race. It is respect and humanity. It is compassion. The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
As we mentioned, we wanted other thoughts on this topic. So, we turned to ESPN.com's Scoop Jackson.
NOIS: Any thoughts on whether the feel good buzz and attention on Josh Hamilton's rise from the ashes would be as closely covered and widely applauded if he were not of a pale hue?
Scoop: i just read the SI joint and WAS THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING!!!!
Again, The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
The post covered a discussion that took place on a radio show (on 850 the Buzz) hosted by former ESPN page 2 contributor Bomani Jones (Jones is hosting the show in June and July on weekdays from 3-6PM live_feed) . During a discussion about the great first two months of the season by baseball's Josh Hamilton (Hamilton is the former #1 pick turned drug addict, turned recovered potential superstar), Jones wondered if the press was particularly enamored and receptive to the story of Hamilton's redemptive quest and success because of his pale hue and rekindled devotion to Christianity.
Certainly, a fair question. And one that, we at NOIS had discussed amongst ourselves in the past.
In an effort for further clarification, we decided to ask Bomani Jones a few more questions about his take on the subject. And, we also decided to get the opinion of other another prominent Negro sports columnist, Scoop Jackson.
First, our discussion with Bomani (edit. this was a discussion format, so please, those of you that love to send us grammar and spelling corrections...this is unedited/as is....so save the the Ms. Crabapple act):
NOIS: First, there have been black athletes that have fallen, obviously, into a world of drugs. Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden come to mind quite quickly. And, both of those guys went thru periods in which it seemed like they had recovered. Was the media as supportive? As applauding? Positive? I seem to remember the media being skeptical....but that's my memory. The possibility of relapse to addiction is staggering. Is it not odd that the media isn't skeptical about what the future holds for Hamilton? That everyone is so sure that he is on the right road forever?
Bomani: I don't remember Strawberry receiving the same treatment, nor do I remember Gooden throwing a no-hitter for the Yankees being treated as a tale of triumph over adversity. But, I'm also young enough that someone could prove me wrong by doing the LexisNexis search that I'm too tired to do myself right now. The saddest thing about Strawberry didn't come from the media, though. It came from Tom Lasorda, Straw manager when he relapsed in Los Angeles, who refused to acknowledge addiction as a sickness and went out of his way to call it "a weakness."
What's striking to me is the humanity that Hamilton has been afforded the last couple of years. It's a humanity he absolutely deserves, mind you. I've never met a single person that wanted to be strung out, so I'm not about to wag a finger at him for getting hooked on drugs. I applaud him for rising up and reclaiming his life. The baseball thing is secondary to me. I'd be thrilled for him if he was working on a garbage truck and just quit smoking cigarettes.
I can't say for sure exactly why Hamilton's story has been treated as it has. I just know I've never seen a former crack smoker get this much love from anyone, and the sports media hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt on this thing (or much of anything when it comes to race, quite honestly). Never.
In Hamilton's story, he is the protagonist, and addiction is treated as the villain. The dragon isn't slain, but it's a beast that we're made to root against (as we should). In most cases, however, it is the addict that is treated as the villain. That is where this case is different than most i recall seeing.
Check the SI piece (which is well-written, I must say). Hamilton's father-in-law talks about how aware Josh is that "the devil" isn't far away. The Rangers have Jerry Narron with Hamilton as "a friend" and "a precaution," according to Hamilton. All very human stuff.
That's also stuff that, depending on who's behind the keyboard and who's under the microscope, could have been written differently. Narron could have been cast more as a supervisor, someone to make sure he behaves himself. I already talked about stuff like the addiction as "the devil." The question is simply this -- why does Josh Hamilton get such treatment and others don't?
Race certainly isn't the only factor, but you have to consider it. This country has put a black face on it's nonsensical "War on Drugs" from Day One, a strategy that is certainly more about being "tough on crime" than it is about helping anybody, considering that drugs aren't any harder to find than they used to be but these policies haven't undergone much change. Check the history, and you'll find a significant reason that cocaine was made illegal was to protect society from "cocaine crazed Negroes." Policies and perceptions, when it comes to drugs, have always had a racial component.
So people are going to try to tell me that Josh Hamilton, a middle-class white guy, isn't getting different treatment than a black person would? Anyone that says that white drug addicts are not treated with a different level of sympathy than black ones is either stupid, or must think I am, if I'm expected to believe that. If you don't question whether race had something to do with how a story of a white drug addict is reported vis-a-vis a black one, it's only because you don't want to.
Now, as for media skepticism about Hamilton, I'm sure it's there. It has to be. I haven't seen it vocalized much, and maybe that's because doing so interferes with the story (I was accused by many listeners of tainting the story, one I praised on air a few dozen times). It's expressed when you see people talk about all the steps Hamilton takes to avoid temptation -- not going out with teammates, not taking per diem money, etc. -- but that stuff seems to be framed as a testament to his dedication and to the power of the devil.
My frustration, however, is not with how Hamilton's story is being treated. It's the stories that don't get this treatment that make me scratch my head. The depths of Hamilton's addiction, considering that he emerged from them, were unique. Addiction, however, was not, nor is overcoming it.
I can think of addicts with backgrounds that made it far more likely they would get strung out than Josh Hamilton The sordid tale of Chris Washburn, who was shamelessly used his whole basketball playing life, immediately comes to mind. Washburn is a punch line when people talk about cocaine-addicted basketball players, and that's foul.
I just don't think stardom or whiteness or anything else need be coupled with a neat story should be required before treating a recovered addict with respect and humanity.
NOIS: Forgotten in all of this is the fact that Hamilton DID what he did. Certainly, we are a very forgiving society. Do you think that young black athletes, like Pacman Jones, who has been reckless and a poor decision maker...do you think that if he is able to make better decisions, mature and become a solid citizen, that HE will hailed by the media as a 'hero'? Or can he look forward to people saying that the only reason he stopped his reckless behavior was the money?
Bomani: As a hero? Hell no, he won't. Pacman's haunted by demons, and we all know it. It's also worth noting that Pacman hasn't talked to many people about said demons (through a mutual friend that I've known since I was 16, and that he's known his whole life, I was turned down for an interview last year). Would he receive such treatment if he was more open? Mayhaps.
Another part that can't be ignored is that there hasn't been a line of people running to say what a great guy Pacman is or was before. Again, I know people that will vouch for him, and they're people I trust for totally non-business reasons. Most people don't. If people thought he was a bad guy before -- and most did -- then they won't be but so happy to see him succeed. On my show, I had all kinds of people that knew Hamilton from various points in his life talk about what a great guy he is. That is a significant point if Hamilton and Jones are going to be compared with one another (something I did on my show, and something a few of my listeners astutely pointed out, though I don't think this is the only real difference between these two guys).
I know this, though -- a storyline of training camp and beyond with Pacman will be whether he falls back into his bad behavior. It will come up early, and it will probably come up often. Hell, he isn't even really reinstated yet, as they make sure he can get through training camp without sneaking strippers in or something. Can't blame anyone for that, either. It's hard to stop being a knucklehead, even if we're dealing with a knucklehead young enough to grow out of a lot of his problems (like Josh Hamilton did).
If Pacman has four interceptions and a return touchdown in his first five games -- which, ballparking here, is an equivalent start to Hamilton's torrid pace -- you will not see "The Redemption of Pacman Jones" on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Of that, I can guarantee you. But, how much of that will be because Pacman won't be talking? Or because he's not as magnetic as Hamilton? Good questions.
I think Pacman's as haunted by his past as Hamilton was by whatever told him to keep getting high. If he succeeds, he's overcoming, too (and honestly, some would argue that Pacman overcame just by living this long). How do we decide whose triumph over adversity, whether self-inflicted or not, is noble and whose is just a matter of cleaning up his own mess? By whether we like them or not? There's got to be a better standard to use than that.
NOIS: From all accounts, Hamilton came from a fairly solid, stable background. Yet he fell into drugs. No one blamed his 'culture' or background for what happened. Yet, when a black athlete makes poor decisions, many in the media want to drag his 'culture' down with him. No one says, 'josh hamilton fell victim to the ills of his middle class white upbringing...and that is why he had those horrible few years'.....yet, regardless of the background of a black athlete who makes bad moves, 'black' culture is called into question...when a white athlete falls, it is simply an indictment of the white athlete....when a black athlete falls, it is an indictment of the athlete, his upbringing, black society and anything else that can be thrown in.....(I guess that wasn't a question....it was just a rant....sorry.....lol)
Bomani: The curse of blackness is as follows -- nothing good you do represents anyone but you, and it barely does that much. The bad you do represents every single black person on this side of Senegal AND the culture they subscribe to. Now, the killer is that black culture is treated as separate from this larger culture that is America.
Michael Moore did a movie called "Roger and Me" a long time ago, a film about life in Flint, Mich. after a plant closing. Long of the short -- General Motors did those hard-working Americans dirty, and leaving town was part of why crime began to skyrocket. It's a fair point Moore makes.
When I think of Flint, I think of some hard ass ghettoes and gangs. I know black folks from Michigan, so I think of the things they tell me about the place (I've never been there). The way I see it, gangs thrive in situations of poverty, the kind of poverty that comes when a blue-collar industry that employs vast swaths of people goes away. In other words, I doubt the gang situation in Flint would be what some say it is had automobile industry not pulled out. It's the same way Baltimore wouldn't have become what it is now -- now that, I've seen -- had the shipping industry not died.
Dollars to donuts says when people see those boys bangin' in Flint, they blame black culture, the same way they do when they see boys selling dope in Baltimore. If they see struggling white people in Flint, they want to spit on General Motors.
See what I mean?
I personally long for the day that I am afforded my God-given American right to not give a flying fuck about anybody else when I do something, whether it be good or bad. I long for the day when my mistakes are my own, and I'm not expected to represent 20 or 30 million people with every word I say. That's a luxury white folks have that other groups don't, and it's something they should feel really grateful for -- the comfort in knowing that the behavior of people you've never met has absolutely no effect on your life. I really wonder what that's like.
Certainly, some folks who listened to Bomani's show, or have heard others mention that Hamilton is getting more positive media support because of his sun-starved skin naturally jumped to the prerequisite conclusion that Jones and others were simply playing the 'race card'. Complaining and mentioning race as means to gain attention for themselves. Or, are so race fixated that they see racism at every turn.
If you read Jones' comments here, you would understand that it is much deeper than race. It is respect and humanity. It is compassion. The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
As we mentioned, we wanted other thoughts on this topic. So, we turned to ESPN.com's Scoop Jackson.
NOIS: Any thoughts on whether the feel good buzz and attention on Josh Hamilton's rise from the ashes would be as closely covered and widely applauded if he were not of a pale hue?
Scoop: i just read the SI joint and WAS THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING!!!!
Again, The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Chad Johnson: Weighing His Options
The on field antics and wild style off the field certainly bring him attention. But, sometimes, all the focus on those things causes us to forget just how productive and talented Chad Johnson is.
Johnson's discontent with the lackluster management of the Bengals is no new story. Rumors abound that he will hold out or engage in crazy 'look at me' antics to try to gain his freedom from ownership.
But, certainly, reality is different than speculation.
"Am I coming back?" he asked rhetorically. "Of course I am. I told my coaches I'm going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid."
And, what if Johnson's desires were entertained? What if the Bengals did the right thing and allowed Johnson to pursue his dream of playing for an organization that appreciated him and cared about his future?
"If I can get out of Cincinnati, the sky's the limit," Johnson told ESPN the Magazine. "What could I do in a place like Philadelphia or Dallas? It would be ridiculous. It's gonna be like a whole new me, like Ocho Cinco 2.0."
While we are big fans and believe that he is being fair and honest in his desire to pursue employment in an environment that would be conducive to his being able to further his personal growth and expand his ability to contribute to a team that understood what team means; we do question his judgment.
Certainly, the desire to play for Dallas is self evident. Dallas brought in a similarly, intentionally misunderstood and explosively talented WR. And Dallas treated him with the dignity and respect his past performance and personal character warranted. They demonstrated their respect and passion for said receiver by giving him a big contract this off season. So, obviously, the prospect of playing in Dallas would be something a team oriented guy like Ocho Cinco would be desperately interested in pursuing. Particularly after seeing how Dallas compensated TO for his team first, locker room presence.
But Philly?
Clearly, the only attraction would be the chance to be the main target of one of the most successful Negro QB's of all time. The opportunity to play a role in the career of a future Hall of Famer who has been instrumental in the ongoing evolution of the NFL QB would be the type of thing one could hold on to long after one's playing days were over.
However, we warn Johnson: Learn from the past.
Philly showed that it has no respect for a sensitive, relationship oriented player. Rather than understand that certain players, because of their commitment to excellence, fair play and team, require closer relationships and better communication with management than others; the Eagles closed the door and cut off their last great player that fit this description.
If Johnson didn't learn from TO's experience in Philly that his desire to win a championship, be a team leader and further the character of the organization won't be met in Philly; well, we can only suppose that that means his desire to be part of the historic career of the groundbreaking Negro QB has somewhat skewered his judgment.
While we understand that the chance to be part of history is compelling, we would hope that Johnson would at least seek counsel from other great players who were in a similar situation to his own. Players locked into mediocre contracts with teams that weren't interested in building the character and requisite relationships to win championships. Players like Randy Moss. Like the aforementioned TO. Guys, who when nurtured with respect and care, showed the world that they were team players first.
And they did it despite carrying the albatross of a new, monster contract around their necks.
We only hope that Johnson can find the relationship he so desperately needs to fulfill his self worth.
Johnson's discontent with the lackluster management of the Bengals is no new story. Rumors abound that he will hold out or engage in crazy 'look at me' antics to try to gain his freedom from ownership.
But, certainly, reality is different than speculation.
"Am I coming back?" he asked rhetorically. "Of course I am. I told my coaches I'm going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid."
And, what if Johnson's desires were entertained? What if the Bengals did the right thing and allowed Johnson to pursue his dream of playing for an organization that appreciated him and cared about his future?
"If I can get out of Cincinnati, the sky's the limit," Johnson told ESPN the Magazine. "What could I do in a place like Philadelphia or Dallas? It would be ridiculous. It's gonna be like a whole new me, like Ocho Cinco 2.0."
While we are big fans and believe that he is being fair and honest in his desire to pursue employment in an environment that would be conducive to his being able to further his personal growth and expand his ability to contribute to a team that understood what team means; we do question his judgment.
Certainly, the desire to play for Dallas is self evident. Dallas brought in a similarly, intentionally misunderstood and explosively talented WR. And Dallas treated him with the dignity and respect his past performance and personal character warranted. They demonstrated their respect and passion for said receiver by giving him a big contract this off season. So, obviously, the prospect of playing in Dallas would be something a team oriented guy like Ocho Cinco would be desperately interested in pursuing. Particularly after seeing how Dallas compensated TO for his team first, locker room presence.
But Philly?
Clearly, the only attraction would be the chance to be the main target of one of the most successful Negro QB's of all time. The opportunity to play a role in the career of a future Hall of Famer who has been instrumental in the ongoing evolution of the NFL QB would be the type of thing one could hold on to long after one's playing days were over.
However, we warn Johnson: Learn from the past.
Philly showed that it has no respect for a sensitive, relationship oriented player. Rather than understand that certain players, because of their commitment to excellence, fair play and team, require closer relationships and better communication with management than others; the Eagles closed the door and cut off their last great player that fit this description.
If Johnson didn't learn from TO's experience in Philly that his desire to win a championship, be a team leader and further the character of the organization won't be met in Philly; well, we can only suppose that that means his desire to be part of the historic career of the groundbreaking Negro QB has somewhat skewered his judgment.
While we understand that the chance to be part of history is compelling, we would hope that Johnson would at least seek counsel from other great players who were in a similar situation to his own. Players locked into mediocre contracts with teams that weren't interested in building the character and requisite relationships to win championships. Players like Randy Moss. Like the aforementioned TO. Guys, who when nurtured with respect and care, showed the world that they were team players first.
And they did it despite carrying the albatross of a new, monster contract around their necks.
We only hope that Johnson can find the relationship he so desperately needs to fulfill his self worth.
Straight Macking
For years we have watched the media glorify the lifestyle of the athlete. We have seen the professional athlete presented as being larger than life. We have witnessed the abject worship of the might dollar, as the pro athlete is marketed and his image is carefully constructed to differentiate him from the average person.
Is it any surprise that the professional athlete generally lives life by a different set of rules?
Is it any surprise, too, that the average woman would pull up her skirt, drop her bloomies or do whatever else it took to land a professional athlete?
Resoundingly and without debate, we can all in unison exclaim, 'By the Grace of Allah, it is NO surprise!'
Also, without surprise, we understand how this idolatry and blasphemous worship of the athlete can cause weaker men to perpetrate. 'I played ball in college.' 'I played minor league baseball.' 'I had a tryout with the Giants.' And on and on. We've all heard these words pushed from the forked and weak tongue of individuals who clearly haven't the athletic prowess to cross a street.
But, occasionally, when one casts enough lines in the water. A fish bites.
"For months, a Boston-area woman thought she was dating a Sonics front-office employee and former NBA player named Jeff Turner, a handsome, 6-foot-8 40-something who was polite, compassionate and respectful. She thought she had scored a figurative slam-dunk in the Internet dating game."
Ahhh, yes.
The internet. The greatest mask one can find. The great equalizer. The opportunity to be what you want to be. Or, to be what you are not.
Conversely. The internet. The greatest escape one can find. The great optimizer. The opportunity for the naive to visit their fantasies. Or, lose touch with reality.
The man's real name is Ronnie Craven, and he had been telling friends and even his hometown newspaper that he was the Sonics' player development director. In an April 9 story in the Somerville News, he told the paper he had known Sonics general manager Sam Presti since coaching Presti and Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck at a Boston-area basketball camp in the late 1980s.
Certainly, it is sickening to think that a man could be pushed to such extreme dishonesty in his quest for attention and acceptance. It is also disturbing to think that the mainstream media has had such an impact on our sports culture that it drives people to such measures in their quest to experience what the athlete experiences.
That is, until one considers the reality of this situation. The impetus for what pushed this man to live a lie....
""(The situation was) all brought on by an online dating thing. Craigslist. I lied to her. Does that mean I can go out there and represent the Sonics? No. Does that mean that I did it to get some (sex)? Absolutely."
Indeed.
Perhaps the least surprising aspect of this story is the appearance of the culprit.
A middle aged white man.
Why is this not even surprising?
Is it any surprise that the professional athlete generally lives life by a different set of rules?
Is it any surprise, too, that the average woman would pull up her skirt, drop her bloomies or do whatever else it took to land a professional athlete?
Resoundingly and without debate, we can all in unison exclaim, 'By the Grace of Allah, it is NO surprise!'
Also, without surprise, we understand how this idolatry and blasphemous worship of the athlete can cause weaker men to perpetrate. 'I played ball in college.' 'I played minor league baseball.' 'I had a tryout with the Giants.' And on and on. We've all heard these words pushed from the forked and weak tongue of individuals who clearly haven't the athletic prowess to cross a street.
But, occasionally, when one casts enough lines in the water. A fish bites.
"For months, a Boston-area woman thought she was dating a Sonics front-office employee and former NBA player named Jeff Turner, a handsome, 6-foot-8 40-something who was polite, compassionate and respectful. She thought she had scored a figurative slam-dunk in the Internet dating game."
Ahhh, yes.
The internet. The greatest mask one can find. The great equalizer. The opportunity to be what you want to be. Or, to be what you are not.
Conversely. The internet. The greatest escape one can find. The great optimizer. The opportunity for the naive to visit their fantasies. Or, lose touch with reality.
The man's real name is Ronnie Craven, and he had been telling friends and even his hometown newspaper that he was the Sonics' player development director. In an April 9 story in the Somerville News, he told the paper he had known Sonics general manager Sam Presti since coaching Presti and Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck at a Boston-area basketball camp in the late 1980s.
Certainly, it is sickening to think that a man could be pushed to such extreme dishonesty in his quest for attention and acceptance. It is also disturbing to think that the mainstream media has had such an impact on our sports culture that it drives people to such measures in their quest to experience what the athlete experiences.
That is, until one considers the reality of this situation. The impetus for what pushed this man to live a lie....
""(The situation was) all brought on by an online dating thing. Craigslist. I lied to her. Does that mean I can go out there and represent the Sonics? No. Does that mean that I did it to get some (sex)? Absolutely."
Indeed.
Perhaps the least surprising aspect of this story is the appearance of the culprit.
A middle aged white man.
Why is this not even surprising?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Stephen A. Smith: Falling In Line
Not long ago, Stephen A lost his newspaper writing gig. A little while before that, he lost his TV show on ESPN.
For a while, Screamin' Stephen wasn't particularly visible. One can imagine that losing outlets to 'perform' would certainly weigh heavy on the ego.
Now, as Smith is contributing more to ESPN magazine, one wonders if the fear of losing this position is forging his views and formulating his opinions.
On Willie Randolph: The Mets' own cable network was covering him negatively because he's black? The suggestion seems the epitome of stupidity.
The notion that Willie Randolph was the victim of a concerted effort by team controlled media to shed a negative light on him...in an effort to turn the public against him to provide ownership a smoother avenue to dismiss him is stupid? Really? The notion that management wanted him gone because it had little patience for a struggling Negro is that far fetched, Stephen?
From them, we can glean another rule: Always come across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image. Forget to do this, and you will become extinct.
Smith essentially is saying that Randolph would have been better served to shut up, repress his inherent need to expose the vicious racism that was being perpetrated against him and collect his paychecks.
If only it were so easy. For minorities in sports, paranoia is grounded in a reality that cannot be ignored. You can't ignore the paucity of African-Americans and other minorities in high-profile positions of authority. You can't ignore that even reporters who recognize this feed the impression that minority managers and coaches and GMs should be more grateful for their jobs than their white contemporaries. And you can't ignore that minorities in these positions may interpret a reporter's body language or facial expression or comment as betraying something more insidious—a questioning of the legitimacy of their accomplishments.
And, certainly, falling into the trap of allowing paranoia to move ones lips would only further the harm of the situation in general.
It (paranoia) is what caused Willie Randolph to show such faulty reasoning as he broke the unwritten rules. Paranoia does funny things to a man.
Indeed. Paranoia exposes faulty logic, irrational thought and poor judgment. To wit, Smith's reaction to being fired by the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, fired a week ago by the Philadelphia Inquirer for job abandonment, shot back at the newspaper on Friday, saying in a statement, “What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive.”
"I put my life and all that I have into the Philadelphia Inquirer first as a reporter and then as a general columnist. I was raised to work hard and play by the rules. That is what I have done. I’ve worked hard and earned every single promotion and accolade that I received while at the Inquirer.
“No one did me any favors or gave me anything, nor did I expect them to. What’s fair is fair and what’s right is right. What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive. They want to ruin my reputation and all of the hard work that I have done over the years.
“I have never abandoned a job in my whole life. I wasn’t raised that way. The Inquirer forced me out and smeared my name and credibility.
“My family always said that your name is all that you have, and they have tried to destroy it.”
Out to destroy his family name?
A need for Smith to explain how hard he has worked and that all accolades and promotions were earned? No one did him any favors? One wonders why those comments are necessary.
Yes, paranoia can certainly do funny things to a man and cause faulty reasoning.
Perhaps even cause him to change his outlook on the situation of others.
Seems Stephen A's advice to Randolph about always coming across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image is a reflection of the lessons his own paranoia taught him.
And a reflection of what we can expect in his future ESPN columns.
For a while, Screamin' Stephen wasn't particularly visible. One can imagine that losing outlets to 'perform' would certainly weigh heavy on the ego.
Now, as Smith is contributing more to ESPN magazine, one wonders if the fear of losing this position is forging his views and formulating his opinions.
On Willie Randolph: The Mets' own cable network was covering him negatively because he's black? The suggestion seems the epitome of stupidity.
The notion that Willie Randolph was the victim of a concerted effort by team controlled media to shed a negative light on him...in an effort to turn the public against him to provide ownership a smoother avenue to dismiss him is stupid? Really? The notion that management wanted him gone because it had little patience for a struggling Negro is that far fetched, Stephen?
From them, we can glean another rule: Always come across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image. Forget to do this, and you will become extinct.
Smith essentially is saying that Randolph would have been better served to shut up, repress his inherent need to expose the vicious racism that was being perpetrated against him and collect his paychecks.
If only it were so easy. For minorities in sports, paranoia is grounded in a reality that cannot be ignored. You can't ignore the paucity of African-Americans and other minorities in high-profile positions of authority. You can't ignore that even reporters who recognize this feed the impression that minority managers and coaches and GMs should be more grateful for their jobs than their white contemporaries. And you can't ignore that minorities in these positions may interpret a reporter's body language or facial expression or comment as betraying something more insidious—a questioning of the legitimacy of their accomplishments.
And, certainly, falling into the trap of allowing paranoia to move ones lips would only further the harm of the situation in general.
It (paranoia) is what caused Willie Randolph to show such faulty reasoning as he broke the unwritten rules. Paranoia does funny things to a man.
Indeed. Paranoia exposes faulty logic, irrational thought and poor judgment. To wit, Smith's reaction to being fired by the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, fired a week ago by the Philadelphia Inquirer for job abandonment, shot back at the newspaper on Friday, saying in a statement, “What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive.”
"I put my life and all that I have into the Philadelphia Inquirer first as a reporter and then as a general columnist. I was raised to work hard and play by the rules. That is what I have done. I’ve worked hard and earned every single promotion and accolade that I received while at the Inquirer.
“No one did me any favors or gave me anything, nor did I expect them to. What’s fair is fair and what’s right is right. What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive. They want to ruin my reputation and all of the hard work that I have done over the years.
“I have never abandoned a job in my whole life. I wasn’t raised that way. The Inquirer forced me out and smeared my name and credibility.
“My family always said that your name is all that you have, and they have tried to destroy it.”
Out to destroy his family name?
A need for Smith to explain how hard he has worked and that all accolades and promotions were earned? No one did him any favors? One wonders why those comments are necessary.
Yes, paranoia can certainly do funny things to a man and cause faulty reasoning.
Perhaps even cause him to change his outlook on the situation of others.
Seems Stephen A's advice to Randolph about always coming across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image is a reflection of the lessons his own paranoia taught him.
And a reflection of what we can expect in his future ESPN columns.
Pacman Jones: Setting The Example
News of out Dallas indicates that Adam Jones will be allowed to participate in organized team activities. Jones will also be given back his right to attend camp and play in preseason games.
Now, all this good news does not guarantee that Goodell will use his unchecked powers to grant Jones his full employment back.
Goodell has framed his unwillingness to grant full employment privileges to Mr. Jones within the context of it being some sort of a control mechanism. The spin being that Mr. Jones can't be trusted to act appropriately (in the eyes of the NFL) without having the constant threat of unemployment hanging over his head.
Certainly, there is still no mention by Mr. Goodell of the fact that Mr. Jones has not been the recipient of any judicial conviction. More certainly, Mr. Jones has not violated any line item specific NFL policy or rule. His 'punishment' was legislated through the arbitrary application of the dictator like powers of Mr. Goodell.
Mr. Jones has proven instrumental in law enforcement's efforts to solve the mysterious strip club shooting. A shooting that resulted in casualties. What is lost in all this is that Mr. Jones could very easily have been a casualty that night. He recognizes this and has done his best to provide as much guidance and leadership in this investigation process as is possible by a civilian.
It becomes clear to the unbiased observer that Mr. Goodell's reluctance to 'reinstate' Mr. Jones is purely personal. Mr. Jones took on the character assaults levied by the NFL's leader. He took on the punishment. He met the demands. All the while, never having been convicted of anything more than a minor traffic violation. He did all this with a smile and a positive attitude. Never once falling into the trap that Mr. Goodell hoped would lead to his downfall. And the fact that Mr. Jones has successfully beaten Mr. Goodell at his own game is too much for the power hungry dictator.
And, now, even more clear....Mr. Goodell's hope is that if he waits right up until game time on opening day to set Mr. Jones free from the NFL's institutionally mandated shackles, there is a chance that through some insidious, back door plotting that Mr. Jones might find more charges levelled against him by the corrupt minds of Mr. Goodell's complicit agents. And that would mean he could continue this unexplainable effort to destroy Mr. Jones career.
How galling this must be for Goodell. His plots, schemes and joint effort with the federal government worked to perfection in ensuring the incarceration of the Negro QB who was poised to change the face of the game forever. But it seems all the subversive efforts and attempts to take away the game that Adam Jones loves are going to be for naught.
And now, Adam can join his brothers in Dallas.
With Tank Johnson, TO and now Pacman forming a core in the locker room; look for the character of the Cowboys to rise toward the championship levels of the Michael Irvin and the "white house" era.
Now, all this good news does not guarantee that Goodell will use his unchecked powers to grant Jones his full employment back.
Goodell has framed his unwillingness to grant full employment privileges to Mr. Jones within the context of it being some sort of a control mechanism. The spin being that Mr. Jones can't be trusted to act appropriately (in the eyes of the NFL) without having the constant threat of unemployment hanging over his head.
Certainly, there is still no mention by Mr. Goodell of the fact that Mr. Jones has not been the recipient of any judicial conviction. More certainly, Mr. Jones has not violated any line item specific NFL policy or rule. His 'punishment' was legislated through the arbitrary application of the dictator like powers of Mr. Goodell.
Mr. Jones has proven instrumental in law enforcement's efforts to solve the mysterious strip club shooting. A shooting that resulted in casualties. What is lost in all this is that Mr. Jones could very easily have been a casualty that night. He recognizes this and has done his best to provide as much guidance and leadership in this investigation process as is possible by a civilian.
It becomes clear to the unbiased observer that Mr. Goodell's reluctance to 'reinstate' Mr. Jones is purely personal. Mr. Jones took on the character assaults levied by the NFL's leader. He took on the punishment. He met the demands. All the while, never having been convicted of anything more than a minor traffic violation. He did all this with a smile and a positive attitude. Never once falling into the trap that Mr. Goodell hoped would lead to his downfall. And the fact that Mr. Jones has successfully beaten Mr. Goodell at his own game is too much for the power hungry dictator.
And, now, even more clear....Mr. Goodell's hope is that if he waits right up until game time on opening day to set Mr. Jones free from the NFL's institutionally mandated shackles, there is a chance that through some insidious, back door plotting that Mr. Jones might find more charges levelled against him by the corrupt minds of Mr. Goodell's complicit agents. And that would mean he could continue this unexplainable effort to destroy Mr. Jones career.
How galling this must be for Goodell. His plots, schemes and joint effort with the federal government worked to perfection in ensuring the incarceration of the Negro QB who was poised to change the face of the game forever. But it seems all the subversive efforts and attempts to take away the game that Adam Jones loves are going to be for naught.
And now, Adam can join his brothers in Dallas.
With Tank Johnson, TO and now Pacman forming a core in the locker room; look for the character of the Cowboys to rise toward the championship levels of the Michael Irvin and the "white house" era.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Whitlock: At It Again
Tattoos.
The reason, according to Mr. Whitlock, that the NBA has not been as warmly received by viewers as it would like.
No one wants to watch Delonte West or Larry Hughes play basketball. It's uncomfortable and disconcerting. You don't want your kids to see it. You don't want your kids to think they should decorate their neck, arms, hands, chest and legs in paint. You don't want to waste time explaining to your kids that some millionaire athletes have so little genuine self-confidence that they find it necessary to cover themselves in tattoos as a way to mask their insecurities.
Threatening appearances.
The players' looks scare an audience that can't relate to them.
You just want to watch basketball and feel like you're watching people you can relate to a little bit, people you somewhat respect.
This years playoffs.
A rousing ratings success thanks to the abundance of foreign players and non-threatening Negros on the Lakers, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics.
Part of the reason more people are watching these playoffs is because the average fan isn't constantly repulsed by the appearance of most of the players on the court. Most of the key players left in the playoffs don't look like recent prison parolees.
Mr. Whitlock's point seems to be that it is better for the league, and the business of the league if the players present a cleaner image. Better business means more money for the league. More money for the players. We get that.
But, in his bashing of the appearance of the players, he is stereotyping and grandstanding.
By diminishing the notion that much of the ratings upswing (if it is great, we didn't check the numbers) is due to the resurgence of the Lakers and Celts and propagating the notion that player appearance is anything more than a tertiary or minimal factor; Mr. Whitlock is simply attempting to turn attention towards...............himself.
Shock and a contrived contrarian view have become Mr. Whitlock's calling card.
The 'chicken little' antics that Mr. Whitlock engages in reek of self serving hypocrisy and self promotion.
Being the Negro that calls out the other Negroes and demands they change who they are and change their culture certainly must be an exhilerating position. To be the right thinking Negro must be stressful.
How could one argue with the right thinking Negro who postulates the position that increased viewership is due to the absence of ink and perceived thuggish appearance (although, Rasheed Wallace might take issue with not being single out here)?
Well, perhaps the best argument against this theory is....from the right thinking Negro's comments on last seasons Finals:
"Why don't the Spurs connect? Why were these finals a TV ratings disaster and a challenge to watch?" Mr. Whitlock writes. "Because sports fans aren't stupid. They can sniff an impostor even when we in the media try to convince them otherwise." He adds, "It's difficult to stake a dynasty claim when you've just completed the worst NBA finals series in history."
We at NOIS are sports fans.
And WE sniff an imposter.
And we sniff something else!
The 'unthreatening' Spurs and Pistons were in the conference finals last year, too. Along with the least threatening team in the league....the JAZZ! How could this year's NBA final four possibly be less threatening than last year?
Nope, it couldn't be that the ratings are due to better play this year!
Someone get some air freshener. Mr. Whitlock seems to have fouled the air.
The reason, according to Mr. Whitlock, that the NBA has not been as warmly received by viewers as it would like.
No one wants to watch Delonte West or Larry Hughes play basketball. It's uncomfortable and disconcerting. You don't want your kids to see it. You don't want your kids to think they should decorate their neck, arms, hands, chest and legs in paint. You don't want to waste time explaining to your kids that some millionaire athletes have so little genuine self-confidence that they find it necessary to cover themselves in tattoos as a way to mask their insecurities.
Threatening appearances.
The players' looks scare an audience that can't relate to them.
You just want to watch basketball and feel like you're watching people you can relate to a little bit, people you somewhat respect.
This years playoffs.
A rousing ratings success thanks to the abundance of foreign players and non-threatening Negros on the Lakers, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics.
Part of the reason more people are watching these playoffs is because the average fan isn't constantly repulsed by the appearance of most of the players on the court. Most of the key players left in the playoffs don't look like recent prison parolees.
Mr. Whitlock's point seems to be that it is better for the league, and the business of the league if the players present a cleaner image. Better business means more money for the league. More money for the players. We get that.
But, in his bashing of the appearance of the players, he is stereotyping and grandstanding.
By diminishing the notion that much of the ratings upswing (if it is great, we didn't check the numbers) is due to the resurgence of the Lakers and Celts and propagating the notion that player appearance is anything more than a tertiary or minimal factor; Mr. Whitlock is simply attempting to turn attention towards...............himself.
Shock and a contrived contrarian view have become Mr. Whitlock's calling card.
The 'chicken little' antics that Mr. Whitlock engages in reek of self serving hypocrisy and self promotion.
Being the Negro that calls out the other Negroes and demands they change who they are and change their culture certainly must be an exhilerating position. To be the right thinking Negro must be stressful.
How could one argue with the right thinking Negro who postulates the position that increased viewership is due to the absence of ink and perceived thuggish appearance (although, Rasheed Wallace might take issue with not being single out here)?
Well, perhaps the best argument against this theory is....from the right thinking Negro's comments on last seasons Finals:
"Why don't the Spurs connect? Why were these finals a TV ratings disaster and a challenge to watch?" Mr. Whitlock writes. "Because sports fans aren't stupid. They can sniff an impostor even when we in the media try to convince them otherwise." He adds, "It's difficult to stake a dynasty claim when you've just completed the worst NBA finals series in history."
We at NOIS are sports fans.
And WE sniff an imposter.
And we sniff something else!
The 'unthreatening' Spurs and Pistons were in the conference finals last year, too. Along with the least threatening team in the league....the JAZZ! How could this year's NBA final four possibly be less threatening than last year?
Nope, it couldn't be that the ratings are due to better play this year!
Someone get some air freshener. Mr. Whitlock seems to have fouled the air.
NBA Coaching: Collins Back to the Bulls?
As the vacant jobs in the NBA coaching ranks are slowly filled, one thing is clear:
Negro coaches are being quickly and quietly escorted to the door. And their jobs are being filled by retreads and status quo ghosts.
Is it the NBA's desire to send a message to Negro coaches that they belong on the second or third seat on the bench? That, rather than give them the chance to mature and develop a program, the NBA is better suited by playing 'musical chairs' with the same old cotton swabs, over and over?
Is firing the Negro coach with the NBA's best winning percentage over the past 3 seasons and claiming the reason for the termination was playoff losses; and then hiring a man with a history of playoff failure not the very definition of bleachy hypocrisy?
Let's look more closely.
Sam Vincent was brought in to Charlotte at the beginning of the season. He was forced out after the season. One year. One year is all he was given to turn around a floundering and lost franchise. Who did Charlotte bring in? The man responsible for burning down Madison Square Garden (although the press has tried to blame someone else). Larry Brown. The King of The Road is the hired gun brought in to turn Charlotte around. Yes, the man has won a title. But he has also left carnage and destruction at virtually every stop, after he finds a bigger paycheck to chase. His experience and coaching 'the right way' will probably lead to more wins in the immediate future. But, is it worth it for the Bobcats to take one step forward, knowing full well that at the end of Brown's tenure they will end up being two steps back?
After Scott Skiles was let go in Chicago (and interim Boylan was sent to the soup kitchen), Chicago management said they were interested in hiring a 'tough, former player'. Naturally, folks thought that meant Avery Johnson (the possessor of the NBA's highest winning percentage over the past few years) or perhaps Mark Jackson. Well, apparently, 'tough, former player' is code for 'washed up, retread vanilla cupcake'. ESPN is reporting that Doug Collins will get the nod in Chi-town.
Isiah Thomas, victim of Larry Brown's most recent 'rape and pillage' expedition, was run off the bench in NYC. Certainly, arguments for Thomas' release abound. And we do not pretend to support the notion that Thomas had the team on the right track. However, rather than bring in someone with a deep connection and understanding of the NBA's flagship franchise...the Knicks brought in a coach who runs a system which the Knicks don't have the personnel to man. In the process, Knicks management managed to offend a Knickerbocker all-time great.
"There's nobody who is an assistant coach who doesn't want to be a head coach," said Ewing, who has been an assistant for five seasons and is credited with lifting center Dwight Howard to the next level. "Unless you've already been a head coach and you're older and you're just putting in hours until you retire. I'm young. I'd definitely want to be a head coach one day.
And I'm disappointed I didn't get a call, yeah.
In one fell swoop, through these firings, the NBA was able to reduce the ranks of Negro head coaches by a staggering 25%.
In contrast, the ranks of white coaches have increased by over 10%.
These are chilling numbers that, coupled with the retread hirings of Brown, Carlisle, Skiles, D'Antonio and possibly Collins, send a clear message to Negro assistant coaches everywhere:
We prefer failed white men to be the face of NBA franchises, rather than give you an equal chance to succeed.
Back to the third seat!
Negro coaches are being quickly and quietly escorted to the door. And their jobs are being filled by retreads and status quo ghosts.
Is it the NBA's desire to send a message to Negro coaches that they belong on the second or third seat on the bench? That, rather than give them the chance to mature and develop a program, the NBA is better suited by playing 'musical chairs' with the same old cotton swabs, over and over?
Is firing the Negro coach with the NBA's best winning percentage over the past 3 seasons and claiming the reason for the termination was playoff losses; and then hiring a man with a history of playoff failure not the very definition of bleachy hypocrisy?
Let's look more closely.
Sam Vincent was brought in to Charlotte at the beginning of the season. He was forced out after the season. One year. One year is all he was given to turn around a floundering and lost franchise. Who did Charlotte bring in? The man responsible for burning down Madison Square Garden (although the press has tried to blame someone else). Larry Brown. The King of The Road is the hired gun brought in to turn Charlotte around. Yes, the man has won a title. But he has also left carnage and destruction at virtually every stop, after he finds a bigger paycheck to chase. His experience and coaching 'the right way' will probably lead to more wins in the immediate future. But, is it worth it for the Bobcats to take one step forward, knowing full well that at the end of Brown's tenure they will end up being two steps back?
After Scott Skiles was let go in Chicago (and interim Boylan was sent to the soup kitchen), Chicago management said they were interested in hiring a 'tough, former player'. Naturally, folks thought that meant Avery Johnson (the possessor of the NBA's highest winning percentage over the past few years) or perhaps Mark Jackson. Well, apparently, 'tough, former player' is code for 'washed up, retread vanilla cupcake'. ESPN is reporting that Doug Collins will get the nod in Chi-town.
Isiah Thomas, victim of Larry Brown's most recent 'rape and pillage' expedition, was run off the bench in NYC. Certainly, arguments for Thomas' release abound. And we do not pretend to support the notion that Thomas had the team on the right track. However, rather than bring in someone with a deep connection and understanding of the NBA's flagship franchise...the Knicks brought in a coach who runs a system which the Knicks don't have the personnel to man. In the process, Knicks management managed to offend a Knickerbocker all-time great.
"There's nobody who is an assistant coach who doesn't want to be a head coach," said Ewing, who has been an assistant for five seasons and is credited with lifting center Dwight Howard to the next level. "Unless you've already been a head coach and you're older and you're just putting in hours until you retire. I'm young. I'd definitely want to be a head coach one day.
And I'm disappointed I didn't get a call, yeah.
In one fell swoop, through these firings, the NBA was able to reduce the ranks of Negro head coaches by a staggering 25%.
In contrast, the ranks of white coaches have increased by over 10%.
These are chilling numbers that, coupled with the retread hirings of Brown, Carlisle, Skiles, D'Antonio and possibly Collins, send a clear message to Negro assistant coaches everywhere:
We prefer failed white men to be the face of NBA franchises, rather than give you an equal chance to succeed.
Back to the third seat!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Yannick Noah: Charmingly Naive
Yannick Noah's son, Joakim (of the Chicago Bulls), was cited over Memorial Day weekend for a few minor infractions by the Gainesville and U of Florida Police.
Noah the Younger received citations for an open alcohol container and less than 20 grams of possibly medicinal cannabis. He was also cited on campus for traffic violations.
News of the incidents were met with puzzlement by father Yannick.
"I don't understand all that fuss for just drinking a beer on the street," Yannick Noah said Tuesday at the French Open.
Certainly, living in the sheltered and Negro accepting country of France has insulated Mr. Noah from these types of things.
How could Mr. Noah understand what all the fuss is about. He was known, and admitted, to have a fondness for the self medicating effects of the possible medicinal usage of cannabis. And, in France, he was never dragged through the mud on a rope by the media for it. How could he understand what his son is being confronted with?
How could Mr. Noah understand how offensive it must be for the local police to see Joakim show up back in Redneckville, FL, driving a fancy car and his pockets lined with money that they won't make in a lifetime?
How could Mr. Noah understand that the fuss has nothing to do with carrying a beverage in a cup on the street?
How charmingly naive of Mr. Noah to believe that this is all over a beer in a cup!
Noah the Younger received citations for an open alcohol container and less than 20 grams of possibly medicinal cannabis. He was also cited on campus for traffic violations.
News of the incidents were met with puzzlement by father Yannick.
"I don't understand all that fuss for just drinking a beer on the street," Yannick Noah said Tuesday at the French Open.
Certainly, living in the sheltered and Negro accepting country of France has insulated Mr. Noah from these types of things.
How could Mr. Noah understand what all the fuss is about. He was known, and admitted, to have a fondness for the self medicating effects of the possible medicinal usage of cannabis. And, in France, he was never dragged through the mud on a rope by the media for it. How could he understand what his son is being confronted with?
How could Mr. Noah understand how offensive it must be for the local police to see Joakim show up back in Redneckville, FL, driving a fancy car and his pockets lined with money that they won't make in a lifetime?
How could Mr. Noah understand that the fuss has nothing to do with carrying a beverage in a cup on the street?
How charmingly naive of Mr. Noah to believe that this is all over a beer in a cup!
Racial Slurs at MLS Game
The beautiful sport.
The most popular sport in the world.
But, in the US, apparently a magnet for racists wishing to spew their hatred for the Sons of Africa.
MLS will investigate an incident in which a spectator at a Columbus Crew home match directed a racial slur at a black player from the New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Fabulously talented Negro soccer star Kheli Dube, from Zimbabwe, scored the go ahead goal. Much to the shock of no one, the response from the white crowd was foul language and racist venom.
Certainly, this is not a surprise. From pitches across Europe all the way to California, soccer fans are famously racist and belligerent.
In the effort to expand the popularity of the game in the US (read: to make money), soccer has been portrayed as a suburban delight. A game embraced by the mini-van driving soccer mom and her children named Madison and Austin.
But, the capture of this incident and posting of it on YouTube has exposed soccer in the US for what it is: A fetid incubator for racial hatred and potential violence.
As part of a statement, the Crew said "there is no excuse for the reprehensible behavior exhibited by the fan heard in the video clip that has surfaced. That kind of behavior has no place in our stadium, or in our society, and we strongly condemn it. . . . We will continue to evaluate and enforce safety and sportsmanship policies."
Certainly, the expected response. Although, there was no addressing the issue of why, when the vicious onslaught (which clearly was directed at Negroes the world over) took place, no action was taken. It took a posting of the incident on YouTube to generate a response from management.
One is left to wonder if the verbal assault had not been promoted on YouTube, would the Crew have ever bothered to address the issue?
How will the league respond? What is the appropriate punishment for the management of the Crew?
Allowing this to go unchecked sends a message to Negro soccer stars the world over that if they choose to bring their formidable skill and talent to the MLS, they risk verbal lynching.
MLS must act swiftly in levying a blow against the complicit racism exhibited by the Crew and the stadium staff that allowed this action to take place. The fact that the Crew made no statement until the video was available for the viewing of millions on the web makes it clear that the statement about the investigation is nothing but filler and defensive posturing.
We suggest that an appropriate start would be changing the franchise's name. A crew is a mob. And mob's lynch Negroes.
In an effort to demonstrate penance and contrition, the only recourse is renaming the team the 'Clouds'.
Soft, white and fluffy.
The most popular sport in the world.
But, in the US, apparently a magnet for racists wishing to spew their hatred for the Sons of Africa.
MLS will investigate an incident in which a spectator at a Columbus Crew home match directed a racial slur at a black player from the New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Fabulously talented Negro soccer star Kheli Dube, from Zimbabwe, scored the go ahead goal. Much to the shock of no one, the response from the white crowd was foul language and racist venom.
Certainly, this is not a surprise. From pitches across Europe all the way to California, soccer fans are famously racist and belligerent.
In the effort to expand the popularity of the game in the US (read: to make money), soccer has been portrayed as a suburban delight. A game embraced by the mini-van driving soccer mom and her children named Madison and Austin.
But, the capture of this incident and posting of it on YouTube has exposed soccer in the US for what it is: A fetid incubator for racial hatred and potential violence.
As part of a statement, the Crew said "there is no excuse for the reprehensible behavior exhibited by the fan heard in the video clip that has surfaced. That kind of behavior has no place in our stadium, or in our society, and we strongly condemn it. . . . We will continue to evaluate and enforce safety and sportsmanship policies."
Certainly, the expected response. Although, there was no addressing the issue of why, when the vicious onslaught (which clearly was directed at Negroes the world over) took place, no action was taken. It took a posting of the incident on YouTube to generate a response from management.
One is left to wonder if the verbal assault had not been promoted on YouTube, would the Crew have ever bothered to address the issue?
How will the league respond? What is the appropriate punishment for the management of the Crew?
Allowing this to go unchecked sends a message to Negro soccer stars the world over that if they choose to bring their formidable skill and talent to the MLS, they risk verbal lynching.
MLS must act swiftly in levying a blow against the complicit racism exhibited by the Crew and the stadium staff that allowed this action to take place. The fact that the Crew made no statement until the video was available for the viewing of millions on the web makes it clear that the statement about the investigation is nothing but filler and defensive posturing.
We suggest that an appropriate start would be changing the franchise's name. A crew is a mob. And mob's lynch Negroes.
In an effort to demonstrate penance and contrition, the only recourse is renaming the team the 'Clouds'.
Soft, white and fluffy.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Marvin Harrison: Odd Situation
The gun was registered to him.
The incident happened after he was involved in an argument in the vicinity of a car wash that he owned.
6 shell casing were found on the ground and they matched his gun.
A man and a boy were injured.
But, luckily, the normal instinct (let's call it Pacman Syndrome) to convict the Negro athlete, who happened to be circumstantially related to the geography of the event, in the courts of public opinion and judiciary expedience has been avoided. In this case.
Marvin Harrison told his coach, the venerable and magnificent Tony Dungy, that he is not involved.
"At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," owner Jim Irsay said, according to the newspaper. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and ... the authorities have said there is nothing imminent.
We at NOIS congratulate Harrison for being honest, forthright and wholly believable. We congratulate Irsay for keeping his fingers crossed, rather than distancing himself from the athlete and fostering an image of guilt. Something that many other owners have done. And we congratulate the law enforcement officials involved for not getting caught up in the hype and glee so tangible when the chance to ruin the life of a Negro athlete presents itself.
Perhaps this is a sign of the change.
Perhaps it is the change we, as a Nation have worked so hard to foster.
Yes, we can change.
Obama '08.
The incident happened after he was involved in an argument in the vicinity of a car wash that he owned.
6 shell casing were found on the ground and they matched his gun.
A man and a boy were injured.
But, luckily, the normal instinct (let's call it Pacman Syndrome) to convict the Negro athlete, who happened to be circumstantially related to the geography of the event, in the courts of public opinion and judiciary expedience has been avoided. In this case.
Marvin Harrison told his coach, the venerable and magnificent Tony Dungy, that he is not involved.
"At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," owner Jim Irsay said, according to the newspaper. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and ... the authorities have said there is nothing imminent.
We at NOIS congratulate Harrison for being honest, forthright and wholly believable. We congratulate Irsay for keeping his fingers crossed, rather than distancing himself from the athlete and fostering an image of guilt. Something that many other owners have done. And we congratulate the law enforcement officials involved for not getting caught up in the hype and glee so tangible when the chance to ruin the life of a Negro athlete presents itself.
Perhaps this is a sign of the change.
Perhaps it is the change we, as a Nation have worked so hard to foster.
Yes, we can change.
Obama '08.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Whitlock: Exposes Deadspin's Resident Hate-Monger
For those of you unfamiliar with the current social, cultural and economic shift effecting the mainstream media; allow us to enlighten you with a crash course.
Many in the mainstream media currently fear for their jobs, relevance and future because of the growing trend of the masses turning to Blogfrica for education, commentary, 'news' and diversion while at work.
Essentially, there is a concern that Blogfrica's ever widening influence may well be cutting into the way the mainstream media is consumed by the masses.
That gets you up to speed.
Certainly, for some members of the mainstream media, the prospect of loss is scary. It is a fear inducing endeavor to witness an unknown, 'un-understood' commodity begin to usurp the cache and currency once held in a death grip by the status quo. Particularly scary for the older, more entrenched members. The members that feel they came up the hard way, played by the rules (old rules, tho they may be) and now should be seen as the elder counsels of the industry.
Only...the industry is changing.
That background sets the stage for something that happened on HBO not long ago. Bob Costas hosted a panel made up of old-media journalist Buzz Bissinger (wrote Friday Night Lights), new-media blogger Will Leitch (writes deadspin) and token Negro presence Braylon Edwards (writes name on back of paychecks from the Cleveland Browns).
To capsulize: Bissinger loses mind, calls Leitch names and attacks Blogfrica with the fury only a senile old man could muster for some new-fangled contraption that scares and confuses him.
Nothing to see here, really. Nothing surprising.
Nothing surprising that is, until Jason Whitlock's commentary on the event.
"Some of us don't have the time, patience or inclination to help promote Leitch's book, which spends an inordinate amount of time telling prominent, successful, well-spoken African-Americans that they're not really black."
Many in the mainstream media currently fear for their jobs, relevance and future because of the growing trend of the masses turning to Blogfrica for education, commentary, 'news' and diversion while at work.
Essentially, there is a concern that Blogfrica's ever widening influence may well be cutting into the way the mainstream media is consumed by the masses.
That gets you up to speed.
Certainly, for some members of the mainstream media, the prospect of loss is scary. It is a fear inducing endeavor to witness an unknown, 'un-understood' commodity begin to usurp the cache and currency once held in a death grip by the status quo. Particularly scary for the older, more entrenched members. The members that feel they came up the hard way, played by the rules (old rules, tho they may be) and now should be seen as the elder counsels of the industry.
Only...the industry is changing.
That background sets the stage for something that happened on HBO not long ago. Bob Costas hosted a panel made up of old-media journalist Buzz Bissinger (wrote Friday Night Lights), new-media blogger Will Leitch (writes deadspin) and token Negro presence Braylon Edwards (writes name on back of paychecks from the Cleveland Browns).
To capsulize: Bissinger loses mind, calls Leitch names and attacks Blogfrica with the fury only a senile old man could muster for some new-fangled contraption that scares and confuses him.
Nothing to see here, really. Nothing surprising.
Nothing surprising that is, until Jason Whitlock's commentary on the event.
"Some of us don't have the time, patience or inclination to help promote Leitch's book, which spends an inordinate amount of time telling prominent, successful, well-spoken African-Americans that they're not really black."
While we certainly won't take the time to listen to the link that Mr. Whitlock provided, we will take the time to point out that we believe there must be some sort of confusion.
As we have demonstrated previously on these very pages, Mr. Leitch is an avid racist. But we aren't sure that we can take it seriously that Leitch ever told Negroes that they aren't really Negroes.
In fact, if one references an interview we conducted with Mr. Leitch, it is obvious that this probably is not the case.
NOIS: Prior to leaving Mattoon, IL, had you ever seen a live Negro?
Leitch: I had heard rumors of a Negro family in Mattoon around the turn of the century, but that had never been confirmed. I thought I had seen one at an Illinois basketball game around 1983, but it turned out it was just Lou Henson.
So, certainly, it would be difficult to assume that Mr. Leitch is in any position to judge Negro-ness.
Whitlock goes on:
"Ninety minutes before Bissinger's eruption, we shared a car service from our hotel to the Equitable Center Theater where Bob Costas' live town hall meeting on the changing landscape of sports media would take place. It was my first in-person meeting with Bissinger ("Friday Night Lights"), and I found him bright, intense, straightforward and likable.
He told me on the ride over that he hated blogs. I told him that blogs weren't going anywhere and we might as well learn to live with them and enjoy them."
Excellent insight and advice from Mr. Whitlock. The insinuation, that Mr. Bissinger really didn't realize he didn't hate blogs. He didn't understand them. Hence his ill will.
Which brings us back to Mr. Whitlock's comments about Mr. Leitch's telling Negroes that they don't act Negro enough.
"And maybe Will Leitch can come along and tell us if we're all acting black enough."
It's a shame that a respected journalist like Buzz Bissinger simply doesn't 'get' blogging. The real shame is that it led to his appearing foolish on national TV, on a forum that could have led to necessary and insightful dialogue.
If journalists and bloggers have a difficult time understanding each others intent, and it leads to ill feeling (feelings that might too easily be called 'hate'), would it be a jump to say that individuals of different races might misinterpret intent of word and actions?
Again, let's refer to our interview with Mr. Leitch:
NOIS: Why do you hate Negroes?
Leitch: Hate is such a strong word. We fear what we do not understand, fine sirs. I eagerly await my re-education.
Clearly, Mr. Leitch is not the only one due for some refresher training.
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