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

[Spider-Dan]

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.

True, "sell out" is not race or culture specific.  But I doubt your former neighbors question your qualifications for being "legitimately white."

[EKnight]

No- they look at a white guy from a trailer park neghborhood who doesn't act the way they think he should given his upbringing and those around him, and they cast stones. It's the same thing as the RG3 thing in my eyes. It's not a race issue.


Edit to say I have no desire to stir the pot, get into an argument or debate on this or even say anything else. I respect your opinion on the matter, SpiderDan, and simply disagree. I acknowledge that being white there is an aspect of black culture that I will never understand, despite having several black friends and two family members. It's a limitation of being white. I've been told by my black friends that even though I'm a cool white guy, there are some things, I just don't- and can't get. I understand that, and find this topic as a whole to be something that I don't really want to fight about. If I misunderstood your perspective on it, then all I can say is, "my bad." -EK

[Pappy13]

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.

I don't think that's why RG3 was being criticised. I think he was being criticised for not being a "brother", traits that in the eye of the beholder are positive traits.

[el diablo]

Its one thing when people outside of a racial group believes in stereotypes. Its another when people inside a racial group believe in stereotypes. Both cases are foolish. Its the inability to accept people as individuals. Not one of the "traits" that RG3 was being criticized for was detrimental to himself or others. Yet, he was being criticized for not being "down for the cause" or "someone you would want to hang out with". Really? RG3 is the "cause" that Mr. Parker was talking about. It would be one thing if Parker was talking about the stereotypes that RG3 doesn't adhere to. But he was using the step stereotypes to DEFINE RG3. The bright side is, there are people intelligent enough to distinguish between the two. The problem is there are people who can't. And then use situations like this to justify foolish arguments.

[Spider-Dan]

I don't think that's why RG3 was being criticised. I think he was being criticised for not being a "brother", traits that in the eye of the beholder are positive traits.

What was the one thing that Parker praised RG3 for, as evidence of his "blackness"?

His unprofessional hairstyle.

[Pappy13]

What was the one thing that Parker praised RG3 for, as evidence of his "blackness"?

His unprofessional hairstyle.

How is his hairstyle unprofessional?