Lorne Rubenstein of the Globe and Mail writes on this issue today.
Printable View
Lorne Rubenstein of the Globe and Mail writes on this issue today.
I was speaking specifically about race relations as it relates to those between Caucasians and African Americans in the United States. I was saying that people here may not be able to relate to the impact of the word 'lynch' because we lack the same history. Both countries do share a collective shame about past and continuing treatment of aboriginals. Using your example, if a sports commentator referred to *what you said above* with respect to aboriginals, I would expect and hope for that commentator to be fired.
As I requested before, please let's not get into examples of racist comments. I don't want to have to close the thread, so please keep this thread limited to what was said and the reaction to it.
It's a very touchy subject to be sure, and the very term that was used by Kelly in the first place has strong racial overtones. I think it's a very hard subject to discuss, to compare and contrast without using examples. I think on the whole we're a balanced and well educated bunch and we've done a very good job of keeping this discussion in context and in perspective.
Obviously comparing incidents such as Ben Wright's firing over his comments are relevant.
"Racism" discussions are not normally permitted at all here due to the potential for flame wars to erupt. I have been allowing this one for obvious reasons. I want to be sure it stays within the context of this case. Drawing on these hypotheticals to bolster a point of view can offend people easily, so let's just stay on course here please.
Tiger is fully aware of what his achivements mean for black America as well as society as a whole. If there were racial undertones to what she said, she would be looking for a new job and be persona non grata in the golf world.
Since we're comparing and contrasting other questionable utterances, I'm surprised Fuzzy Zoeller's "fried chicken and collard greens" comment at the Masters hasn't come up yet (or maybe it has, and I missed it); now that was a racist remark. If Zoeller made that comment today, he'd lose his card. He should have at the time, but I think Tiger was relatively new to the Tour and didn't want to be responsible for having one of golf's "characters" tossed out. Today, he'd be toast.
Hey, I can see grey too ok, but this is just a word that shouldn't be used in relation African Americans, plain and simple. There's political correctness for the sake of political correctness, which is just plain insanity, and then there's the courtesy of being educated. Tighlman slipped up, and was appropriately suspended for the slip up. I have never called for her firing throughout this entire thread, so I'm no Al Sharpton.
I guess it is a matter of opinion, which is why some people will always see black and white. When I read her quote, I honestly didn't see anything wrong with it. I would never have related "that word" to racism.
Yah...several days later and probably only because TGC felt some pressure to do something.Quote:
Tighlman slipped up, and was appropriately suspended for the slip up.
With the intent of complying with this directive, I ask readers to read the wiki article on Mr. Sharpton for some examples of the racist and bigotted things he has said.
Those who live in glass houses, should stop throwing stones.
If the case had been raised/supported by someone who was sightly more above reproach, it might, in the eyes of many, carried more wieght. As it is, Sharpton is one whose opinions I can very easily dismiss as overblown.
For those who predicted that Kelly would never work for the Golf Channel again, you may be wrong. The New York Times claims that she will be back on the job today, and that she will be issuing another apology.
I think Tiger's recent comments made it clear that the fall out was overdone and the firing if the editor who went over the top made a few realise that they had to get of the kelly bashing wagon. I do hope they leave Lerner in the booth though, I think he is better that her.