Jemele Hill out at ESPN

[nickagneta]

If DeSantis isn't racist, then he's stupid. Either way, he doesn't deserve to get elected. But....there will definitely be a unhealthy portion of voters in Florida that will love this, which is sad.

He's not stupid, either.  It's a common phrase.  He just didn't stop to think about those he could pretend offend before he spoke.

Next media firestorm:  GOP candidate says socialism is "gumming up the works", offends teething babies and elderly without teeth.

Then he really screwed up in a really bad way at the worst time.

Personally, the way this President is dividing this country and the way DeSantis has embraced Trump, I won't completely dismiss the possibility that he meant in in a racist way.

[Moranis]

If DeSantis isn't racist, then he's stupid. Either way, he doesn't deserve to get elected. But....there will definitely be a unhealthy portion of voters in Florida that will love this, which is sad.

He's not stupid, either.  It's a common phrase.  He just didn't stop to think about those he could pretend offend before he spoke.

Next media firestorm:  GOP candidate says socialism is "gumming up the works", offends teething babies and elderly without teeth.

Then he really screwed up in a really bad way at the worst time.

Personally, the way this President is dividing this country and the way DeSantis has embraced Trump, I won't completely dismiss the possibility that he meant in in a racist way.

I'm much more liberal than Roy and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the usage of that phrase in that context.  And unlike many common phrases from the past that one had nothing to do with racism in its origin. 

[GreenFaith1819]

If DeSantis isn't racist, then he's stupid. Either way, he doesn't deserve to get elected. But....there will definitely be a unhealthy portion of voters in Florida that will love this, which is sad.

He's not stupid, either.  It's a common phrase.  He just didn't stop to think about those he could pretend offend before he spoke.

Next media firestorm:  GOP candidate says socialism is "gumming up the works", offends teething babies and elderly without teeth.

Roy - that is NOT a common phrase associated with African Americans. And when / if it is it is oftentimes meant in a derogatory fashion.

So should we just start saying what we want? When we want? To whomever we want?

Lets start raising our kids that way.

When I was in the Navy - we called it discipline.

Did ANYONE here click on that Link? Or does anyone care?

[GreenFaith1819]

If DeSantis isn't racist, then he's stupid. Either way, he doesn't deserve to get elected. But....there will definitely be a unhealthy portion of voters in Florida that will love this, which is sad.

He's not stupid, either.  It's a common phrase.  He just didn't stop to think about those he could pretend offend before he spoke.

Next media firestorm:  GOP candidate says socialism is "gumming up the works", offends teething babies and elderly without teeth.

Then he really screwed up in a really bad way at the worst time.

Personally, the way this President is dividing this country and the way DeSantis has embraced Trump, I won't completely dismiss the possibility that he meant in in a racist way.

I'm much more liberal than Roy and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the usage of that phrase in that context.  And unlike many common phrases from the past that one had nothing to do with racism in its origin.

https://www.historyonthenet.com/authentichistory/diversity/african/3-coon/6-monkey/

Desantis should've known better.

[Eja117]

I lived in Florida for about 7 years and saw tons of racism, and that was in the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg. If you headed inland away from cities, it was even worse.

Now I am not saying I haven't seen racism here in Boston, but the people in Florida we're a lot more open about their racist views.

Growing up in Everett and Chelsea there was a very diverse population so most of the kids grew up seeing people as people. That's even more common now. Boston has come a long way in the last 40 years. I don't see racism being any worse here than in other cities I have been in like NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and Cleveland.

Wait. I don't understand. Are you saying Everett and Chelsea are more diverse than Florida? Specifically the Tampa area? And are you saying that because of diversity diverse places aren't racist? So by this theory the logically most racist place in America would essentially have to be Bernie's Vermont, right? Or would it be Hillary's Chappaqua NY? Or possibly Obama's Martha's Vineyard?

[tazzmaniac]

I lived in Florida for about 7 years and saw tons of racism, and that was in the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg. If you headed inland away from cities, it was even worse.

Now I am not saying I haven't seen racism here in Boston, but the people in Florida we're a lot more open about their racist views.

Growing up in Everett and Chelsea there was a very diverse population so most of the kids grew up seeing people as people. That's even more common now. Boston has come a long way in the last 40 years. I don't see racism being any worse here than in other cities I have been in like NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and Cleveland.

What constitutes racism in your mind?  I've lived nearly 50 years in Alabama and just over 30 in Huntsville.  For the most part people go about their daily lives (work, shopping, ...) interacting with other races without issues or exhibiting racist behavior.

Well, one incident was at a restaurant and the server thanked us for the nice tip because the dirty Hispanics don't tip. What she didn't know was my wife was Puerto Rican. Another episode I saw was at the casino when a black guy hit on a hand of black jack when he should have held giving the house the win. White guy next to him started calling him a stupid n word.

Those were two incidences. I have more stories. Heck I was told by a black guy at the neighborhood pool that I was a nice guy, for a white guy. It goes both ways.

So, do those incidences sound like racism to you? To me it does!

I think modern society has really dumbed down the usage of racist/racism (and other things as well).  The level of racism in the US is as low as its ever been but you would not know it by the rhetoric.  Separate water fountains/bathrooms, separate but equal education, having to ride at the back of the bus, not being able to eat in a restaurant, strange fruit hanging from trees, etc.  That's racism.  Someone using a racial slur is certainly offensive, insensitive and ignorant but I wouldn't necessarily label it racism.  Does the waitress spit in the food of those dirty Hispanics or deliberately serve them poorly or slowly?  Or was she just venting in a crude, offensive manner because she'd previously served a large Hispanic group and didn't receive a tip? 

Personally I find the excessive usage of racism/racist annoying and think it is a hindrance to actually improving race relations further but objectively it shows how far we've come.   I'd much rather have media racism stories be on people saying offensive things than on a black guy ending up dead because he talked to/looked at a white woman wrong. 

[GreenFaith1819]

I lived in Florida for about 7 years and saw tons of racism, and that was in the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg. If you headed inland away from cities, it was even worse.

Now I am not saying I haven't seen racism here in Boston, but the people in Florida we're a lot more open about their racist views.

Growing up in Everett and Chelsea there was a very diverse population so most of the kids grew up seeing people as people. That's even more common now. Boston has come a long way in the last 40 years. I don't see racism being any worse here than in other cities I have been in like NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and Cleveland.

What constitutes racism in your mind?  I've lived nearly 50 years in Alabama and just over 30 in Huntsville.  For the most part people go about their daily lives (work, shopping, ...) interacting with other races without issues or exhibiting racist behavior.

Well, one incident was at a restaurant and the server thanked us for the nice tip because the dirty Hispanics don't tip. What she didn't know was my wife was Puerto Rican. Another episode I saw was at the casino when a black guy hit on a hand of black jack when he should have held giving the house the win. White guy next to him started calling him a stupid n word.

Those were two incidences. I have more stories. Heck I was told by a black guy at the neighborhood pool that I was a nice guy, for a white guy. It goes both ways.

So, do those incidences sound like racism to you? To me it does!

I think modern society has really dumbed down the usage of racist/racism (and other things as well).  The level of racism in the US is as low as its ever been but you would not know it by the rhetoric.  Separate water fountains/bathrooms, separate but equal education, having to ride at the back of the bus, not being able to eat in a restaurant, strange fruit hanging from trees, etc.  That's racism.  Someone using a racial slur is certainly offensive, insensitive and ignorant but I wouldn't necessarily label it racism.  Does the waitress spit in the food of those dirty Hispanics or deliberately serve them poorly or slowly?  Or was she just venting in a crude, offensive manner because she'd previously served a large Hispanic group and didn't receive a tip? 

Personally I find the excessive usage of racism/racist annoying and think it is a hindrance to actually improving race relations further but objectively it shows how far we've come.   I'd much rather have media racism stories be on people saying offensive things than on a black guy ending up dead because he talked to/looked at a white woman wrong.

That's the thing, though.

We may be sliding BACK to the physical attacks.

Look at my own home state of Virginia - in CHARLOTTESVILLE last year.

And of course some in Washington are making "Pocahontas" a common derogatory term...........

[Moranis]

If DeSantis isn't racist, then he's stupid. Either way, he doesn't deserve to get elected. But....there will definitely be a unhealthy portion of voters in Florida that will love this, which is sad.

He's not stupid, either.  It's a common phrase.  He just didn't stop to think about those he could pretend offend before he spoke.

Next media firestorm:  GOP candidate says socialism is "gumming up the works", offends teething babies and elderly without teeth.

Then he really screwed up in a really bad way at the worst time.

Personally, the way this President is dividing this country and the way DeSantis has embraced Trump, I won't completely dismiss the possibility that he meant in in a racist way.

I'm much more liberal than Roy and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the usage of that phrase in that context.  And unlike many common phrases from the past that one had nothing to do with racism in its origin.

https://www.historyonthenet.com/authentichistory/diversity/african/3-coon/6-monkey/

Desantis should've known better.

it is a common phrase that has nothing to do with black people.  What if he said something like that is like the pot calling the kettle black.  I mean unless you are omorosa that isn't racist either.

[Erik]

When this is the best that the race baiters can do, it’s a real testament to just how much progress we’ve made in this country.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

that time Facebook happened and silence ensued...

[rondofan1255]

Over the last several weeks, there have been a lot of rumors about my job status. Today is my last day at ESPN.

More from me on closing one of the most special chapters in my life:

https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/1040611137753112579

[Moranis]

She joined the Athletic

[Big333223]

She joined the Athletic

It's the Atlantic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/sports/jemele-hill-the-atlantic-.html

[celticsclay]

For Both Roy and KG's Knee -

Both of you should know that historically using chimpanzee, monkey, ape - in connection with African Americans - is derogatory.

https://www.historyonthenet.com/authentichistory/diversity/african/3-coon/6-monkey/

In some instances, of course. In this one, no way. Using idioms with no racist intent isn’t racist.

Monkey wrench, barrel of monkeys, monkey’s uncle, monkey business, monkey see monkey do, going ape, etc. None are racist.

Roy - I have read your posts for well over 12 or 13 years. I didn't become a blog member until Oct 2009. I lurked on the blog as an observer for several years before I actually joined it.

I know you are smarter than this.

Of course those words ALONE have no meaning to them - but - as the link I posted states - those words IN CONNECTION with African Americans - are derogatory.

To be honest I'm disappointed in you, roy. I believe you know this but are simply trying to insult my intelligence.

I'm admittedly not the sharpest knife in the draw but I'm FAR FROM the dullest.

C'mon now.

If somebody used it in a demeaning way, yes. But if somebody said “the boys are getting up to some monkey business”, the phrase doesn’t mean different things if the boys are white, the boys are black, or the boys are a mix of blacks and whites.

The world is a complicated enough place without having to walk on egg shells regarding our language. I suspect if somebody is insulting you, you’d know it without having to parse their words. We’re they angry, demeaning, condescending, etc.?  Using idioms that are in some cases hundreds of years old with no context related to African Americans isn’t a sign of racism to me.

Frankly, I’m sick of all the special rules in society about what you can and can’t say, based solely on one’s identifying characteristics. The only thing that should matter is intent.

Roy if there were a bunch of black kids causing some trouble or goofing off in public and I used the phrase you mentioned I would absolutely get reprimanded by just about anyone i was with. How can you think that wouldn't get you in trouble? 

[Moranis]

She joined the Athletic

It's the Atlantic.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/sports/jemele-hill-the-atlantic-.html

Yeah. Sorry.  Thanks for the correction.