Is RGIII a Brotha ?

[Drake]

When Stephen A. Smith says, 'I'm uncomfortable with where we just went", I'm going to agree with him.

There's a line. Then there's Stephen A. Smith's line. Then there's off-the-fucking-cliff.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

We'll also have to go through a few days where we refuse to acknowledge that tribal identification is important in groups other than black Americans. We just went through an election where both sides specifically argued that the other opposition candidate wasn't, "one of us". There are fights over who is authorized to march in St. Patrick's Day parades. NASCAR is full of arguments over who is authentically Southern and who is posing. My wife's family in eastern Kentucky has many times warned her to, "not get above your raisin'". Tribal identification is powerful and crosses ethnic and socio-economic classes. There may be a good reason to debate specific tribal markers, but we shouldn't pretend that this is a problem for those other folks.

So you're saying we're all tribalites?

[Logan]

He's been suspended "until further notice".

[Logan]

In wake of ESPN management's decision on Rob Parker, keep in mind First Take's producers were cool with yesterday's re-air of the show.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) December 14, 2012

[JediKooter]

So wait...black people are racist against other black people if those other black people aren't black enough or don't act black enough? Or am I reading this whole thing wrong?

Originally Posted by molson

I always try to act straight-up Lebanese.

Did not know that molson was Klinger.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

So wait...black people are racist against other black people if those other black people aren't black enough or don't act black enough? Or am I reading this whole thing wrong?

I think just plain stupid fits this as well as anything

[molson]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Coming from this guy I imagine the whole argument is bullshit. I doubt he really cares, especially with his career path. He just wanted to say something to stir the pot. If he really has a problem with RG3, fine, but I can't stand faux outrage punditry.

Now we all get to play pretend as ESPN fakes shock and the commentator fakes an apology. They all did exactly what was hoped for and nobody involved really has any regrets.

We'll also have to go through a few days where we refuse to acknowledge that tribal identification is important in groups other than black Americans. We just went through an election where both sides specifically argued that the other opposition candidate wasn't, "one of us". There are fights over who is authorized to march in St. Patrick's Day parades. NASCAR is full of arguments over who is authentically Southern and who is posing. My wife's family in eastern Kentucky has many times warned her to, "not get above your raisin'". Tribal identification is powerful and crosses ethnic and socio-economic classes. There may be a good reason to debate specific tribal markers, but we shouldn't pretend that this is a problem for those other folks.

"Black" is a pretty broad tribe. Even "African-American" is pretty broad. It'd be a little odd if someone from eastern Kentucky or NASCAR was trying to pressure me to act more like them just because I'm also white.

[Autumn]

Originally Posted by molson

"Black" is a pretty broad tribe. Even "African-American" is pretty broad. It'd be a little odd if someone from eastern Kentucky or NASCAR was trying to pressure me to act more like them just because I'm also white.

Clearly, but that is one of the problems about racism towards African-Americans. They don't get the opportunity to obscure their race, not if their skin is dark enough. So while white Americans can find ways to obscure their origins, erase their ethnic identity, that's almost never an option for black Americans. Therefore I think there's a pressure for any African-American to represent all African-Americans, even if there's very little cultural overlap between their life, how they were raised, and how others were raised.

There's a distinct difference between social groups that are physically obvious and those that are not. A white American could be a southern redneck or a Northeast blueblood or a Seattle hipster, but since it's difficult to distinguish between those, and whites are still for the moment the majority of the population, it's sort of live and let live. African-Americans remain physically distinct, and a minority, so they are treated, and therefore pressured to react, as one group.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Autumn

Clearly, but that is one of the problems about racism towards African-Americans. They don't get the opportunity to obscure their race, not if their skin is dark enough. So while white Americans can find ways to obscure their origins, erase their ethnic identity, that's almost never an option for black Americans. Therefore I think there's a pressure for any African-American to represent all African-Americans, even if there's very little cultural overlap between their life, how they were raised, and how others were raised.

There's a distinct difference between social groups that are physically obvious and those that are not. A white American could be a southern redneck or a Northeast blueblood or a Seattle hipster, but since it's difficult to distinguish between those, and whites are still for the moment the majority of the population, it's sort of live and let live. African-Americans remain physically distinct, and a minority, so they are treated, and therefore pressured to react, as one group.

Real solid take Autumn and one I think bears a lot of merit

[molson]

Originally Posted by Autumn

Clearly, but that is one of the problems about racism towards African-Americans. They don't get the opportunity to obscure their race, not if their skin is dark enough. So while white Americans can find ways to obscure their origins, erase their ethnic identity, that's almost never an option for black Americans. Therefore I think there's a pressure for any African-American to represent all African-Americans, even if there's very little cultural overlap between their life, how they were raised, and how others were raised.

There's a distinct difference between social groups that are physically obvious and those that are not. A white American could be a southern redneck or a Northeast blueblood or a Seattle hipster, but since it's difficult to distinguish between those, and whites are still for the moment the majority of the population, it's sort of live and let live. African-Americans remain physically distinct, and a minority, so they are treated, and therefore pressured to react, as one group.

Ya, I can definitely understand the pressure for minorities to positively represent other minorities, in the face of societal racism, in any society. It's harder to understand the type of pressure the ESPN guy was talking about here - where symbols of non-athletic success are viewed as somehow offensive to the minority race. That more general success is a "white thing" and undesirable. That kind of view certainly doesn't make it any easier to "obscure" ones race, if that's the goal.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

I think just plain stupid fits this as well as anything

There's definitely that too.

[molson]

And I think maybe we're giving this ESPN guy too much credit by trying to even engage this in a rational way. It appears he has a problem with interracial marriage. He wasn't making some honest intellectual point here.

[Autumn]

Originally Posted by molson

Ya, I can definitely understand the pressure for minorities to positively represent other minorities, in the face of societal racism, in any society. It's harder to understand the type of pressure the ESPN guy was talking about here - where symbols of non-athletic success are viewed as somehow offensive to the minority race. That more general success is a "white thing" and undesirable. That kind of view certainly doesn't make it any easier to "obscure" ones race, if that's the goal.

No, clearly this attitude doesn't help. I was just distinguishing why it would happen in the case of African-Americans and not whites. There tends to be a sense from whites of "why don't they stop doing that," as if it's just a choice being made that white Kentuckians don't make.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I'm not touching this with a 15-foot pole.

So according to Ben, this thread has some street cred.

[Noop]

If this is what black people are worried about then I am not sure what to say... So I would be considered a cornball brother? I have dated white women, graduated college, stayed out of trouble... so I am a cornball? I mean this with the utmost disrespect... but fuck black people who think like that.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by Noop

but fuck people who think like that.

Fixed that for ya.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Noop

If this is what black people are worried about then I am not sure what to say... So I would be considered a cornball brother? I have dated white women, graduated college, stayed out of trouble... so I am a cornball? I mean this with the utmost disrespect... but fuck ALL people who think like that.

As long as you have braids though you are good my friend

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

As long as you have braids though you are good my friend

[finketr]

Judge a man by the content of his character and not the color of his skin.

[molson]

Ya, braids trump all, maybe that's the positive progress we should be focused on here. Even if you earn success as defined by traditional "white" metrics, you can still be accepted by that reluctant portion of the black community if you have the braids. Hey, that's a start!

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by molson

Ya, braids trump all, maybe that's the positive progress we should be focused on here. Even if you earn success as defined by traditional "white" metrics, you can still be accepted by that reluctant portion of the black community if you have the braids. Hey, that's a start!

That's the thinking I use, it allows me to be married to a black woman and still be accepted in the in the skinhead community since I shave my head.

[Noop]

I cut my dreads off. So I guess I am a square.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Noop

I cut my dreads off. So I guess I am a square.

I still love ya brother

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by finketr

Judge a man by the content of his character and not the color of his skin.

FTMFW!

[molson]

Originally Posted by Noop

I cut my dreads off. So I guess I am a square.

I believe the correct term is "cornball brother." I guess. I mean, I've never heard that term before but that's the one the ESPN guy used. Though I'd think being compared to RGIII would be considered a massive compliment, but what do I know.

[Sun Tzu]

Did the ban-hammer come down in this thread?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

I'm guessing this topic will get covered by the ESPN ombudsman within a few weeks. That section is one of the only reasons I go to ESPN anymore.

I thought the ombudsman program ended a few months ago? Was it just the Poynter involvement with it that ended?

[Julio Riddols]

When I think of the phrase cornball brother, I am reminded of Christmas in my youth, when my brother and I would go insane over grandmas caramel popcorn balls. Also, RG III. Both are pretty awesome.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I thought the ombudsman program ended a few months ago? Was it just the Poynter involvement with it that ended?

To be honest, I hadn't checked out anything over there in months. Probably since mid-summer.

The Poynter Institute's involvement is certainly done.

Poynter Review Project Blog Blog - ESPN

The Ombudsman program, not certain.

ESPN partners for Poynter Review Project - ESPN

They reference that the Institute's involvement continued what had been start in the ombudsman program earlier. So, no idea whether now that their term has ended, will the position bill filled by an individual again.

[Toddzilla]

As a white guy, I sometimes talk about other white people in terms of "hillbilly" and "white trash". I never thought of it as being racist or bigoted, but I guess on further reflection it probably is. I don't know how much this parallels what the ESPN guy said, though. I mean, I'm not saying some redneck *isn't* white, he's just a different kind of white than me. So I'm not saying the same thing at all as "RGIII isn't really black" I guess.

Fuck, racism is confusing...

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by molson

I believe the correct term is "cornball brother." I guess. I mean, I've never heard that term before but that's the one the ESPN guy used. Though I'd think being compared to RGIII would be considered a massive compliment, but what do I know.

I think since Noop has outed himself as a "cornball brother" it is appropriate for him to use the word "square".

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by molson

I believe the correct term is "cornball brother." I guess. I mean, I've never heard that term before but that's the one the ESPN guy used. Though I'd think being compared to RGIII would be considered a massive compliment, but what do I know.

Not exactly a ton of cornball brothas in this part of the country, but to the extent there are brothas there at all, a great deal are of the cornball variety.

[HomerSimpson98]

I can't wait for Merril Hoge to chime in on the different shades of cracker later tonight. I can't wait to finally be classified correctly. Hooray for E!SPN

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Noop

If this is what black people are worried about then I am not sure what to say... So I would be considered a cornball brother? I have dated white women, graduated college, stayed out of trouble... so I am a cornball? I mean this with the utmost disrespect... but fuck black people who think like that.

You fuckin cornball lawyer. Don't you know you should be a failure?

(sarcasm)

[Noop]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

You fuckin cornball lawyer. Don't you know you should be a failure?

(sarcasm)

Cornball who is going to make 3k a week this summer

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Noop

Cornball who is going to make 3k a week this summer

Fuck man - that's some nice bank!

In NYC? Or elsewhere?

I'm still pissed you didn't come to Boston for school .

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Noop

Cornball who is going to make 3k a week this summer

For 3K a week, you could call me a lot of stuff

SI

[Lathum]

FOFC should trademark the phrase...

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am pretty sure I would be considered a cornball lawyer. I am not particularly lawyerly.

[mckerney]

There's a lawyer who specializes in cornball accidents? Excellent!

[JediKooter]

Sonny's BBQ has corn nuggets. Sweet creamed corn, deep fried with ranch dressing. MMmmmmmm...mmmmM!!!

[molson]

I consider myself something of a "nugget lawyer".

[Pumpy Tudors]

I made a comment to a white girl at work today involving the phrase "my black ass" and she responded with "Come on, you're not black." I can't wait to drop the phrase "my cornball brother ass."

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

So wait...black people are racist against other black people if those other black people aren't black enough or don't act black enough? Or am I reading this whole thing wrong?




Did not know that molson was Klinger.

I wouldn;t say "racist" but there definitely is, politically, some "how black are you" political movements. See the races in Detroit when Freeman Hendrix ran against Kwame Kilpatrick or the Booker vs James fight in Newark. The races definitely come down to "who is blacker" in many contexts.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

I wouldn;t say "racist" but there definitely is, politically, some "how black are you" political movements. See the races in Detroit when Freeman Hendrix ran against Kwame Kilpatrick or the Booker vs James fight in Newark. The races definitely come down to "who is blacker" in many contexts.

Just seems...odd, that if someone isn't 'X color' enough or they are successful, to give them a hard time or resort to trying to belittle them. Seems counterintuitive to the whole racial equality problems this country has had. Logically, you would think that people would be asking, 'how' and try to emulate that persons success, instead of putting them down. Admittedly, I'm very ignorant about this subject, so I may just be over thinking it or even more simply...I just don't get it.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

Just seems...odd, that if someone isn't 'X color' enough or they are successful, to give them a hard time or resort to trying to belittle them. Seems counterintuitive to the whole racial equality problems this country has had. Logically, you would think that people would be asking, 'how' and try to emulate that persons success, instead of putting them down. Admittedly, I'm very ignorant about this subject, so I may just be over thinking it or even more simply...I just don't get it.

I've seen this all of the time where getting a good education or even being academically inclined was a 'whitey' thing or among rednecks, a 'snobby' thing.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Fuck man - that's some nice bank!

In NYC? Or elsewhere?

I'm still pissed you didn't come to Boston for school .

I was temped to transfer to Harvard or Yale, but I could not turn down Law Review and Moot Court. The Firm I am working for has offices everywhere (except Miami-Ft.Lauderdale) I am leaning toward Atlanta because I know nothing about New York.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

For 3K a week, you could call me a lot of stuff

SI

Lol. I am humbled to receive the opportunity. OCI's for me was very good. Truly blessed for the job. Now the other stuff that has occurred this year? Well I am drinking to numb the pain. LOL.

[fortheglory]

Is this the same reasons the vetting of Susan Rice is racism despite the fact Condi Rice has already served as Secretary of State?

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by mckerney

There's a lawyer who specializes in cornball accidents? Excellent!

+1.

Do we have a thread exclusively dedicated to AD references?