Whitlock: Black athletes shouldn’t be excused for racial hypocrisy... rips Martellus

[THUMPER]

I can call myself or another white friend a cracker or a redneck or hillbilly. Why can't black people make fun of the n word? It's no different. It's a non-aggressive way to release some hatred with humor. Humor generally has a background of cruelty in some form.

I was going to stay out of this thread but this point has come up a couple of times and people are missing a HUGE difference.

When I had long hair (for almost my entire adult life until my grandson was born) people would call me a hippie. I was never offended enough to make a big deal out of it. I live in NC now and the folks here being referred to as "rednecks", "hicks", "white trash", "crackers", etc. don't consider those fighting words. They might be a bit miffed by it at most but in general they would pass it off without much ado.

The same cannot be said for a black guy called the "N-word" or "boy" by someone from ANY other race. Those are fighting words and, in general, they feel completely justified in doing whatever is necessary to put that person in their place. Typically, blacks are very offended by these kinds of terms, and they have good reason to be.

My point is that terms of racial stereotypes are not treated the same by the various races involved. Jeff Foxworthy calling people rednecks is not really an insult. Most "rednecks" I know don't care who refers to them that way They either shrug it off as the opinion of a "damned Yankee" or embrace it, "Hell yes I'm a Redneck and proud of it!".

Racial terms tend to be taken as HIGHLY offensive by blacks in particular, again they have good reasons for that, but it isn't the same for most people of other races. Jews also have good reasons to be offended by racial slurs because of what it has meant in the past.

I just don't think you can lump them all in the same bucket or treat them the same is all.

 

[THUMPER]

I have not had time (nor the inclination for that matter) to read this entire thread. But I did read the article and it expresses exactly how I see the issue. The writer of this article is completely right when he points out that Don Imus was crucified for saying nothing worse than Bennett simply because he is white and Bennett is black. It is a double standard that can only hold up for so long before it backfires on those who employ it (i.e. the rappers and morons like Marty B).

He is NOT saying that white people should be allowed to use racial stereotypes. He is saying that no one should use them. And that it should not be acceptable for anyone to use them. I don't believe that this article was meant for white people to even read or care about. It was one black man talking to the rest of the black community.

I do feel very strongly on this one point though. This is an issue to be decided by society at large not by any government mandate or law. When society stops laughing at the comedians and listening to the rappers and buying their crap music this behavior will go away.

Very well put Jack. I agree.

 

[JackMagist]

and this post just like the article shows an inability to get with the times and evolve with society.

That is a much bigger problem than rappers(I like rap by the way) and comedians(I also like to laugh, sometimes I like to laugh at rappers).

You miss the point entirely. The article is an attempt to affect the evolution of society in a positive way rather than stand idly by and watch the evolution continue along the current self destructive path.

We all know that it will not work and that those who indulge in this behavior will continue along their chosen path. But at least one man who has a platform of some sort is trying to make a difference instead of simply accepting things as they are. And I applaud him for his worthy effort…futile though it may be.

 

[bbgun]

I was going to stay out of this thread but this point has come up a couple of times and people are missing a HUGE difference.

When I had long hair (for almost my entire adult life until my grandson was born) people would call me a hippie. I was never offended enough to make a big deal out of it. I live in NC now and the folks here being referred to as "rednecks", "hicks", "white trash", "crackers", etc. don't consider those fighting words. They might be a bit miffed by it at most but in general they would pass it off without much ado.

The same cannot be said for a black guy called the "N-word" or "boy" by someone from ANY other race. Those are fighting words and, in general, they feel completely justified in doing whatever is necessary to put that person in their place. Typically, blacks are very offended by these kinds of terms, and they have good reason to be.

The difference is that one ethnic group in particular gets to use all of those words, without fear of recrimination. A sort of "get out of jail free" card for bigotry or racial insensitivity. I'm not saying the double standard is indefensible, but it's there.

 

[Four]

You miss the point entirely. The article is an attempt to affect the evolution of society in a positive way rather than stand idly by and watch the evolution continue along the current self destructive path.

We all know that it will not work and that those who indulge in this behavior will continue along their chosen path. But at least one man who has a platform of some sort is trying to make a difference instead of simply accepting things as they are. And I applaud him for his worthy effort…futile though it may be.

no no no, it's trying to be stuck in the past where division was the norms.

He points out that witten coudln't say the same things, when that has zero to do with anything.

No it's not the same when witten says it, but the correct analogy would be if witten made redneck jokes, not racist jokes.

And no one would give a flip if witten made redneck jokes.

It's not self destructive until people who can't see it for what it is turn it into something else.

the entire article was divisive BS and that kind of crap doesn't help anyone.

Bennett is using Satire, and that is pretty effective in changing people's minds if they get it. People who only see it for the on surface actions don't get it at all. Whitlock doesn't get it and trying to twist it into something else only causes problems.

 

[THUMPER]

No it's not the same when witten says it, but the correct analogy would be if witten made redneck jokes, not racist jokes.

And no one would give a flip if witten made redneck jokes.

No one would care if a black guy made redneck jokes either (which black comedians do frequently by the way). That's the difference.

 

[Four]

No one would care if a black guy made redneck jokes either (which black comedians do frequently by the way). That's the difference.

I hate to tell you this, but I joke around with black folks just like they joke with me.

The difference only lies in people trying to make it into a white black thing, or into a divisive thing.

People making it an issue, that's where it becomes a problem.

 

[Plumfool]

The only problem I have with people like the author of this article is that they have zero idea about Bennett as a person. But that does not stop them from passing an uninformed judgement about that person. MB is an entertainer at heart. No different than some of comedians and musicians that people love and respect. If you don't like what he has to say or if you don't like his brand of comedy or music simply don't listen. Times are changing we can't expect our children to continue with the same prejudices and problems that we did.

In fact whitlock has written a few things of questionable judgement lately. The other day he wrote a article about Serena Williams' weight. This right after she won one of tennis' great events. It just smells of the crab in a bucket mentality that black people have struggled with for years.

 

[JackMagist]

no no no, it's trying to be stuck in the past where division was the norms.

He points out that witten coudln't say the same things, when that has zero to do with anything.

No it's not the same when witten says it, but the correct analogy would be if witten made redneck jokes, not racist jokes.

And no one would give a flip if witten made redneck jokes.

It's not self destructive until people who can't see it for what it is turn it into something else.

the entire article was divisive BS and that kind of crap doesn't help anyone.

I do not see it as divisive. I see him as trying to unite the black community...his community...in an effort to improve themselves by showing more respect for themselves and thereby recieve more respect from the rest of the world. But it is obvious that you are not going to see it that way so I will simply agree to disagree with you and hope that perhaps others here will see my point...and Mr Whitlock's point.

 

[jobberone]

I was going to stay out of this thread but this point has come up a couple of times and people are missing a HUGE difference.

When I had long hair (for almost my entire adult life until my grandson was born) people would call me a hippie. I was never offended enough to make a big deal out of it. I live in NC now and the folks here being referred to as "rednecks", "hicks", "white trash", "crackers", etc. don't consider those fighting words. They might be a bit miffed by it at most but in general they would pass it off without much ado.

The same cannot be said for a black guy called the "N-word" or "boy" by someone from ANY other race. Those are fighting words and, in general, they feel completely justified in doing whatever is necessary to put that person in their place. Typically, blacks are very offended by these kinds of terms, and they have good reason to be.

My point is that terms of racial stereotypes are not treated the same by the various races involved. Jeff Foxworthy calling people rednecks is not really an insult. Most "rednecks" I know don't care who refers to them that way They either shrug it off as the opinion of a "damned Yankee" or embrace it, "Hell yes I'm a Redneck and proud of it!".

Racial terms tend to be taken as HIGHLY offensive by blacks in particular, again they have good reasons for that, but it isn't the same for most people of other races. Jews also have good reasons to be offended by racial slurs because of what it has meant in the past.

I just don't think you can lump them all in the same bucket or treat them the same is all.

I wouldn't lump them all together. There is no equal bigoted (sic) word for the N word. Redneck and the N work do not equate so we agree. But in the sense of poking fun of each other is ok. I would not call my best friend from upstate New York a redneck. It wouldn't be offensive to him but it would not be humorous because he's not one.

And yes it would be better if there was no word or concept for race. But that's pie in the sky thinking. It's when you take it too seriously or not seriously enough that it becomes a problem. Most people understand the difference between being a bigot and insensitive and humorous poking fun of something.

My main point is humor generally has its origin in emotional pain for someone or some concept that is hurtful.

 

[Four]

I do not see it as divisive. I see him as trying to unite the black community...his community...in an effort to improve themselves by showing more respect for themselves and thereby recieve more respect from the rest of the world. But it is obvious that you are not going to see it that way so I will simply agree to disagree with you and hope that perhaps others here will see my point...and Mr Whitlock's point.

I see where you are coming from and I understand your point.

But you don't see where I am coming from or understand my point.

Which is why there will always be an issue about these subjects.

Making jokes can be an effort to improve, satire and joking about things are a way to bring it to the front without being overly insulting to others.

Bennett poking at things that would be considered racist by some is exactly why it's the right thing to do. Make it a joke, make it all a joke, you can't take racism seriously if it's nothing but a joke to people. If bennet comes off as a buffoon then so do real racists who say the same stuff out of hate.

You don't see how that could be helpful?

 

[Ferrumz]

Honestly it all comes down to one simple fact. A black guy can call a white guy a cracker or redneck or whatever. And 9 times out of 10 the white guy won't care or won't do anything. The one white guy that does get upset about it or wants to fight about it is called a racist. However the black guy is not considered a racist for using those terms. On the other hand if a white guy calls a black guy the N-word, 99% of blacks would be offended and almost as much would take that word as "fighting" words so to speak. In this situation the roles are reversed from the first situation. The white guy is the racist for using the N-word and the black guy is justified in being upset. That is the basis of the article that is written, and that is the racial divide that the author is talking about. Anyone that doesn't see that obvious divide is living life with blinders on. And that is the obvious divide that the author is talking about. He's simply using Marty B as an example.

And as far as the author using Jason Witten as an example well...he's doing just that. Making a fabricated story up to show how it would offend african americans. And don't tell me it would be ok for Jason Witten or Tony Romo or any other white athlete to do the things that Marty B does. It simply isn't. But it is ok for Marty B to do it or any other african american athlete. That IS a double standard whether you like to believe it or not.

 

[THUMPER]

I hate to tell you this, but I joke around with black folks just like they joke with me.

The difference only lies in people trying to make it into a white black thing, or into a divisive thing.

People making it an issue, that's where it becomes a problem.

I don't hate telling you at all that you do not represent the norm, nor does your experience in this area.

You might remember a few years when golfer Fuzzy Zeller, who was a close friend of Tiger Wood's, made a comment about getting him some watermellon (or something like that). Initially, Woods didn't make a big deal out of it but once the media got ahold of it he was suddenly incensed that Zeller would make such an offensive racial remark and how demeaning it was to him personally.

Tiger Freaking Woods wasn't even black before that! He used to tell people that he didn't identify with the black community because he didn't grow up in it and considered himself more Asian than black... until Zeller made his comment that is. Then suddenly he is intensely offended and demanded not only an apology but that Zeller be disciplined by the PGA, which he was.

This is not an isolated incident but endemic to our society, particularly once the media and the Sharpton-types get ahold of it. The people MOST responsible for keeping racism alive in this country are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and their ilk. Without racism they would be non-entities.

 

[jobberone]

I do not see it as divisive. I see him as trying to unite the black community...his community...in an effort to improve themselves by showing more respect for themselves and thereby recieve more respect from the rest of the world. But it is obvious that you are not going to see it that way so I will simply agree to disagree with you and hope that perhaps others here will see my point...and Mr Whitlock's point.

I understand this concept. But humor is not generally a bad thing. Having self respect is important and making fun of past injustice in just humor. True there is that dark side of it but its healthy to not take yourself too seriously esp over serious stuff. All the while taking it seriously.

Now if that isn't duality I don't know what is.

 

[Bleu Star]

I agree that a double standard exists but I think race tension doesn't go away until people quit bringing up racial tension and thus fabricating a controversy.

& a very good reason why Al Sharpton gets on my damn nerves.

The people MOST responsible for keeping racism alive in this country are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and their ilk. Without racism they would be non-entities.

At least we all agree on something...

 

[Four]

I don't think society should let the morons in the media hold us back.

This guy is not helping.

The media doesn't represent society, they represent controversy and BS fabricated to sell copy.

Buying into the crap they are selling isn't helping, it's holding people back.

Don't get pissed at the guys doing it, get pissed at the media for twisting it into something it isn't or should be.

 

[Bleu Star]

I don't think society should let the morons in the media hold us back.

This guy's not helping.

The media doesn't represnet society, they represent controversy and BS fabricated to sell copy.

Buying into the crap they are selling isn't helping, it's holding people back.

Don't get pissed at the guys doing it, get pissed at the media for twisting it into something it isn't or should be.

You're making a lot of sense Four. Just chiming in as an element of support... Hey! I'm black too! YAY. :

 

[Four]

You're making a lot of sense Four. Just chiming in as an element of support... Hey! I'm black too! YAY. :

ya well, TO sucks!:

 

[TheHustler]

******. Now I want fried chicken.

 

[Bleu Star]

ya well, TO sucks!: