ESPN commentator on RG3: “He’s kind of black, but he’s not really”

[Brian Fein]

Its funny that, reading the Stephen A Smith comment, I feel like I can see him and his angry eyebrows and  receding hairline saying it on TV...

[Sunstroke]

I have.  Go see the movie Malibu's Most Wanted, then get back to me.

When considering where to file "Malibu's Most Wanted," I am presented with two options.

Option 1: Lame Fictional B-Comedies
Option 2: Accurate Social Documentaries

Hmmm, which shall I choose?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Maybe I should just merge this thread with the ESPN less coverage on Tebow thread and call it "moronic statements from ESPN made solely to drive traffic that aren't really worth paying any attention to" 

[Landshark]

When considering where to file "Malibu's Most Wanted," I am presented with two options.

Option 1: Lame Fictional B-Comedies
Option 2: Accurate Social Documentaries

Hmmm, which shall I choose?

Option 3:  Both Option 1 and 2.  That's which one.

[Spider-Dan]

I agree with you on the white-trash thing as it just refers to low life whites. The term "wigger" is completely based on a white person pretending to be black.

When a white person is called a "wigger," it's not because they are extremely good at long-distance running.  It's because they are exhibiting some of the "ghetto" mannerisms that RG3 is being criticized for not exhibiting.

That's my point: I know of no equivalent in the white culture where someone would be criticized for not being low-class enough.

I've mentioned this before but this seems like a good place to bring it up again. The term "African-American" is a separatist term. You can't separate yourself and then get upset because others do it.

I have no idea what this has to do with the conversation.

[masterfins]

If Skip Bayless made the comments that Parker made, he would be fired and called a racist.  Stephen A Smith should have went after Parker.

[Spider-Dan]

Jon Stewart makes all sorts of comments about Jewish people that would get Al Sharpton fired.

And Stephen A. Smith did go after Parker.  Keep in mind that unlike an argument about LeBron or Tebow (where they can scream at each other like idiots with no repercussions), there's a very real chance that someone can lose their job behind comments like these, so you aren't going to see Smith fire up the usual fake theater shouting match.  He certainly realized the gravity of the situation, and objected with as much professional courtesy as I think was possible.

[masterfins]

^^^ Not fair to compare with Jon Stewart.  Stewart is a comedien, and his comments are clearly being said for comedy.  Parker was being serious.

[Phishfan]

That's my point: I know of no equivalent in the white culture where someone would be criticized for not being low-class enough.

OK but that isn't how your phrased it before. You used the word stereotypical rather than low-class.

[Spider-Dan]

OK but that isn't how your phrased it before. You used the word stereotypical rather than low-class.

The nature of the criticism is generally over low-class stereotypes.

[Pappy13]

When a white person is called a "wigger," it's not because they are extremely good at long-distance running.  It's because they are exhibiting some of the "ghetto" mannerisms that RG3 is being criticized for not exhibiting.

Um, exactly? RG3 is black. If you are white and you're being criticised for being the exact opposite of what RG3 is being criticized for not exhibiting, I fail to see how that's not the same thing.

RG3 was being criticized for not being black enough. Call someone a wigger and you are criticizing them for not being white enough. That's the same thing.

[CF DolFan]

I have no idea what this has to do with the conversation.

Ok ... I now see what you meant in reference to the wigger comment.

The separatist comment is about being "black enough" in the first place. IMO it is the exact same thing as wanting to be referred to as "African-American" instead of just being an "American".

I think it's hypocritical of blacks to complain about him saying this when they, themselves separate from whites and other races. If one is going to say "black power" then then they have to be ok with others saying "white power". I think we all agree that isn't a good thing. It separates instead of bringing anyone closer together.  Well if you then complain about one of your own calling out another for not wanting to separate from the white race, or any other race for that matter .... isn't is a bit hypocritical? 

[Phishfan]

Parker has been suspended I see.

[Spider-Dan]

Um, exactly? RG3 is black. If you are white and you're being criticised for being the exact opposite of what RG3 is being criticized for not exhibiting, I fail to see how that's not the same thing.

RG3 was being criticized for not being black enough. Call someone a wigger and you are criticizing them for not being white enough. That's the same thing.

No, it isn't, for a very important reason: criticism of not being "black enough" is discouraging positive traits (e.g. professionalism, grammar and vocabulary).  Criticism of not being "white enough" is not.

When I say that there is no analogue to this in the white culture, that's what I'm referring to.  Not that someone would accuse them of trying to be something that they aren't (this happens across all cultures, commonly referred to as a "wannabe"), but that people of your own culture would try to discourage you from doing things that should be considered positives in the name of "staying true to your roots."

[EKnight]

This is just silly. I grew up in a poor white neighborhood. My buddy and I went to college, graduated, got good jobs, and when the guys from our old neighborhood see us they label us as sell outs because we didn't stay poor enough or blame our "roots" for holding us back. None of it had or has anything to do with race. What you're referring to may happen predominantly in black culture, but it's not limited to it. -EK