It seems that many of my posts lately have had racial undertones, and here is yet another one! Understand that part of my concern surrounding these issues is how they impact my bi-racial son. I am all about personal responsibility and kindness to others, but this politically correct bullshit has gone way too far. I've got a son who needs to learn to live in this world with all of its good - and bad - people, and stunts like this do little to help.
Seems Al Sharpton is on the war path again (can I say that or is it offensive to American Indians?) this time over a comment made by Kelly Tilghman who said last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." Probably not the best choice of words, and out of context it sounds even worse, but if you watch the video, it's pretty clear she intended no malice. Had she made this same comment in reference to a white golfer, I'm sure Mr. Sharpton would have never even given it a second thought.
According to all reports, Tilghman made an immediate, personal apology to Woods which he accepted. Shouldn't this be the end of the story? The comment was not a general comment - it was made specifically in regards to Tiger Woods. Have we become a society that can demand "corrective actions" against someone based on something they said about someone else because it offends us? Al Sharpton, shame on you!
The Golf Channel suspended Tilghman for two weeks, but Sharpton is calling for her immediate termination. Imagine that. I can't help but wonder if this kind of intolerance doesn't just deepen racial divides.
22 comments:
I have to disagree just a bit with you on this one. I don't know how anyone could ever think that making a joke about "lynching" a black man would not be offensive. I heard the whole thing in context and it didn't change what she said.
I also believe that she would never had said that if it wasn't something that she normally said in private conversation. It wasn't a scripted show. She just up and said it just like she probably does at cocktail parties with all her country club friends.
Also, Tiger accepted the apology because Tiger stands to make nearly a billion dollars off all his corporate ties. It's easy to shrug things like that off when you are focused solely on the money you are making.
I agree that political correctness has gone too far, but I also believe we as a society need to remember that lynching was a real threat to black people not all that long ago. Hell, I live in a town where it actually happened.
Just my thoughts on the subject. I could be wrong. Still love ya! ;-)
I'm not sure what the answer is.... but she could use some sensitivity training to help her understand that it is offensive to others.
Lynching didn't happen to white folk much. That's why she wouldn't have said it about a white guy.
I love ya too...and have to disagree on that one.
Outstanding! The Death of Common Sense at it's finest (also a book by that name written by a lawyer, btw).
Sharpton is a world class racist and he does more to promote the racial divide than heal it.
To Jay & RLL: Lynching is just a verb (and a word)...and is not race specific. Because people infer that only black people can be lynched doesn't make any less of a verb or a word. If Tiger wasn't offended, then why should anyone else?
Glad I found your blog Dana....I'll be back....
Jay, I like it when people disagree with me - it tends to make me think! My opinions have been known to be swayed.
RLL, my experience has been different. I've actually heard the word "lynch" used in place of ... say ... mugged ... in many conversations regarding white folks AND black folks. I understand the vile history of the word, but believe that it is not used (generally) specific to race these days.
I find this similar to the double standard of the "N" word being acceptable for blacks to use when adressing blacks, but NOT acceptable for any other race to use.
Michael, you said EXACTLY what I was typing while I was typing it in response to RLL and Jay!
Thanks for stopping by!
If you two think that lynching is just a verb and that racism is a thing of the past, you should come visit the South.
Others are offended because it was OFFENSIVE. Al Sharpton is an asshat, but just because HE spoke up doesn't make it less offensive.
As a lesbian, I'm in the same boat sometimes with the folks that hate other races. They hate me, too.
Sometimes I'm scared to go to the gay bar where I am accepted. THEY can be anywhere and THEY blend in quite nicely as usually WHITE MEN. THEY hate me and would like to hurt me. Bad.
If you'd like proof that racism is still going on, check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena_6
My father worked in the prison system for 25+ years, and I've heard story after story of how ALIVE racism still is.
I don't for one minute think that offensiveness should be brushed off and given the "get over it already" attitude, but Al Sharpton is a HATE monger and his opinions and views are NOTHING but racist.
RLL, I didn't meant to imply that I believe that racism isn't alive and thriving. Like you, I am well aware of it - more so than many because I must be for my son's sake (just ask the neighbor down the street who refers to my son as "that black kid who lives on the corner" rather than by his name).
Maybe I didn't communicate my point well - that I believe that Al Sharpton is an opportunist and a racist. I believe that Kelly Tilghman's suspension is appropriate, but that Sharpton's demands for her dismissal cause more harm than good.
Leighann, racism knows no color boundaries.
RLL:
I DO live in the South and have seen racism (again, it lives everywhere, not just here, and it knows no color). I also have seen people that are treated like the *arses* they are because they are *arses*, not because of what color they are. That is not the same as racism. Sharpton and other racists need it to survive because that is the business they are in...
Do you like every Lesbian you know? Probably not, (me neither) but that doesn't either of us a bigot.
Anyway, racism is bad. That we certainly agree. I just don't think it is as bad as many people want us to believe.
I almost included this situation in my post this morning but it probably deserves a bit more than a "random thought" post. The issue I have with the entire situation is that I think that it's not right that one person in this case Al Shrpton has the right to determine who should and who should not keep their job. Exapmle in point Don Imus. Was what he said wrong... Sure butit wasn't until Al Sharpton decided to get involved that he lost his job. and then later got another after Sharpton gave his blessing that he could be back on the air. Does that not scare the HELL out of anyone else that a person not elected to anything or put in charge of anythign has the power to get people suspended and fired from their jobs because he thinks they should be? It should.
Bad news is good business. I'm frankly sick of people making fortunes off the mishaps of others.
Ok... I need to pay more attention to the news...
I've completely missed the Tilghman comment on the Tiger.
Shame on me!
I am not sure if it made national news, but about a month ago 2 prisioners escaped from a county jail here in NJ. Sharpton was negotiating the surrender of the black escapee for 4 days last week. Eventually our prosecutor had enough of Sharpton and basically said, "Dude, you know where the escapee is and if you do not tell us, we are charging you as an accessory. Enough of your crap." The next day they arrested the escaped prisoner in Mexico City. No word on if Sharpton ratted him out or not.
My opinion is that Sharpton is a publicity seeking opportunist. He gets off on ruining other people's lives.
People just need to learn how to get along. I know,easier said than done.
Sharpton is possibly the biggest racist in the country, we'll maybe Robert Byrd, it's a toss up. I can't imagine anyone aligning themself with him. But he sure must have some clout, he had Clinton backing up and spewing spin as well as getting this reporter suspended. He hurts all blacks, he hurts his party politicly, there are few people he helps. He's smart though, I'm working for a living and ole Al is holding folks up for ransom.
SS
Oh yeah, what happened to sticks and stones may break my bones????
Goddang people, when did we become the United States of the Offended?
SS
Sticks and stones may break my bones BUT whips and chains excite me!
Tilghman gave an apology, case closed! It is Sharpton who wants to lynch someone.
It was a very unfortunate thing to say, and yes she should be disciplined. With that being said, Tiger accepted the apology and Sharpton needs to go...Go far, far, away, for evah. He is just trying to keep himself relevant. Cheers!!
Doc, Al Sharton's power *is* a terifying thing to me, as is the fact that his power seems to go unchecked.
Buffalodickdy, It seems to be the way things are these days - just wait for someone to screw up so that you can get something for nothing.
R.E.H., that will be 50 lashes with a wet noodle, now bend over!
Karen, I couldn't agree with you more on the description of Sharpton.
PP, I sometimes wonder if you don't spend too much time wanting to point the finger and not enough time remembering that we are all human.
Sage, I agree, and often wonder if he doesn't do more harm than good.
Al, whips and chains ... hmmm ... your my kind of guy!
That was my point in this - Sharton just took it too far.
Matt-Man, I wonder what it will take to make that man go far, FAR away. Something tells me there will be someone just like him to take his place when the time comes.
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