Michael Jordan admits to racism.

[davmat787]

There's a significant difference between a white person being racist against blacks and a black person being racist against whites, and that difference is our shared history. Whites have had power in this country since it was founded and blacks largely have not; even today, the leadership in this country is disproportionately white and racial minorities are disproportionately in poverty. Being a member of the race with all the power and looking down your nose at minorities is not the same as being the member of a minority and being pissed off at how the white people in power treat you. It's inherently different.

I think what happened to Paula Deen was an overreaction; she made mistakes and she apologized for them. But you can't compare the actions of a wealthy white woman using racial slurs in the antebellum south to a poor black kid in North Carolina who hated white people because they used those same slurs against him. It's nice to be in favor of equality, but arguing that all racism is the same is ignoring the centuries of inequality that preceded it.

So how long do we allow some groups a pass as described in your first sentence or two? When does it expire and adults of all races are expected to treat each other with respect? Or do we keep looking back in time for further justifications?

If I felt as you did, I would worry about the pendulum, and when it will start swinging back. Eventually, enough will see through the BS or finally hear n****** at an NBA game one too many times and snap. Black players say it all the time throughout the game, and the NBA won't even fine them $100.00. Sterling is ostracized of course.

Of course the situations are different, but as long as society expects people to conform to these inequities, real racism will simmer until perhaps it is too late and boil over again.

 

[Victorian Gray]

People "justify" Jordan because he is well liked, a household name and successful. People want him to be a good guy so they paint it that way. Paula Deen was an easy mark.

Biggest difference is that one of these people admitted to being racist and the other one didn't.

 

[Mani]

There's a significant difference between a white person being racist against blacks and a black person being racist against whites, and that difference is our shared history. Whites have had power in this country since it was founded and blacks largely have not; even today, the leadership in this country is disproportionately white and racial minorities are disproportionately in poverty. Being a member of the race with all the power and looking down your nose at minorities is not the same as being the member of a minority and being pissed off at how the white people in power treat you. It's inherently different.

I think what happened to Paula Deen was an overreaction; she made mistakes and she apologized for them. But you can't compare the actions of a wealthy white woman using racial slurs in the antebellum south to a poor black kid in North Carolina who hated white people because they used those same slurs against him. It's nice to be in favor of equality, but arguing that all racism is the same is ignoring the centuries of inequality that preceded it.

Well put, and spot on.

 

[mikeymikec]

Just from reading the first article, I get the impression that he's freely admitting to something he used to be, as opposed to attempting to give out an insincere apology because he's been caught because he doesn't want to be punished.

Paula Deen is one of these "sorry I got caught" people, as opposed to "sorry I've been a complete arse", IMO. Have people here forgotten about about her little wedding fantasy, black people dressed up as slaves in attendance? Yes dear, they'd have very pretty uniforms. How did she apparently manage to learn nothing useful from her school's history lessons, or perhaps her history teachers were Klan members?

Of course the situations are different, but as long as society expects people to conform to these inequities, real racism will simmer until perhaps it is too late and boil over again.

If society doesn't bother to factor in the circumstances, that society cannot be just.

 

[motsm]

There's a significant difference between a white person being racist against blacks and a black person being racist against whites, and that difference is our shared history. Whites have had power in this country since it was founded and blacks largely have not; even today, the leadership in this country is disproportionately white and racial minorities are disproportionately in poverty. Being a member of the race with all the power and looking down your nose at minorities is not the same as being the member of a minority and being pissed off at how the white people in power treat you. It's inherently different.

This post is embarrassing.

 

[shortylickens]

This post is embarrassing.

The embarrassment is that TONS of Americans believe exactly this. The Seattle school system even teaches that only white people can be racist.

 

[mikeymikec]

The embarrassment is that TONS of Americans believe exactly this. The Seattle school system even teaches that only white people can be racist.

If all you took away from Atomic_Playboy's post was "only white people can be racist", you seriously need to brush up on your reading comprehension skills.

If alternatively you're going to try and pick holes saying that wasn't exactly what you said, Atomic_Playboy's post was in no way similar to "only white people can be racist", so how you managed to think that in order to draw a comparison, I'm not sure.

 

[dawheat]

Context always matters - it's what makes a shooting self defense sometimes and murder in other times - the same action in different circumstances are very different.

A black man admits to being racist 30 years ago as a teenager based upon experiences his father went through and now as an adults, freely admits to being wrong while under no duress or pressure.

A wealthy white woman makes racist comments today as an adult and admits to being wrong while under pressure.

But for sure, always the same thing.

 

[Zaap]

So how long do we allow some groups a pass as described in your first sentence or two?

Sadly, for as long as there's political mileage to be gained.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Black man hates white hate groups - wow, thats some racist shit right there!! How DARE this black man, who is the target of white racists, hate those racists back?!!?

THATS RACIST!!

 

[sportage]

Gee... MJ admits to racism?
Wouldn't have anything to do with that history of lynchings by all those Christian southerns, would it?
In the name of fairness, MJ is qualified and justified.
As far as comments on racism, I just wish Mitchell Obama hadn't apologized for her comment way back during the 2008 campaign.
Mitchell was justified as well.
Especially considering the obvious with the current state of todays republican party.
Those tea party republicans in congress that seem to have a major problem with every single word, action, and suggestion from Obama.

 

[Dari]

Michael Jordan gets a pass. He is too great of an athlete for me to revere him any less.

 

[werepossum]

This post is embarrassing.

The embarrassment is that TONS of Americans believe exactly this. The Seattle school system even teaches that only white people can be racist.

Guys, you need to read that again. His point is not that only whites can be racist. Anyone can be racist, and it's equally bad. His point is that the effect of that racism is an order of magnitude different, especially when projected decades back in North Carolina. Morally it's the same thing, but practically speaking it's worlds apart, like the difference in 1950 Russia between the Communist Party hating you and the Howdy Doody Fan Club hating you.

 

[mikeymikec]

Michael Jordan gets a pass. He is too great of an athlete for me to revere him any less.

Ok, that's about the oddest reason I've heard so far on either side of the discussion.

 

[SaurusX]

If I remember correctly, the article said he got called the n-word once while playing high school or college ball. The primary source of his "racism" was watching Roots.

 

[Pens1566]

MJ and Deen, apples and oranges.

 

[HomerJS]

Amazing people can't see difference between Paula Dean and a young black male living in a southern town run by the Klan.

 

[piasabird]

Almost all children suffer through being picked on and abused emotionally as children. It is a realization that the world is not fair, but you have to overcome that if you are to succeed. This is a biblical quote: "There must be opposition in all things!"

http://quotespictures.com/i-know-wh...es-we-can-learn-to-love-it-joseph-b-wirthlin/

Overcoming Adversity is the key to succeeding in life.

I was taught about Adversity in Church.

 

[werepossum]

Amazing people can't see difference between Paula Dean and a young black male living in a southern town run by the Klan.

Dude, seriously. There was no North Carolina town run by the Klan in the 70s.

Almost all children suffer through being picked on and abused emotionally as children. It is a realization that the world is not fair, but you have to overcome that if you are to succeed. This is a biblical quote: "There must be opposition in all things!"

http://quotespictures.com/i-know-wh...es-we-can-learn-to-love-it-joseph-b-wirthlin/

Overcoming Adversity is the key to succeeding in life.

I was taught about Adversity in Church.

Well said. I think we should all be able to agree that Michael Jordan has succeeded, that he holds no racist views now, and hopefully that his racist views as a child are at the least understandable.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Sadly, for as long as there's political mileage to be gained.

Ok, you made me laugh. Thanks for the moment of humour.

 

[CitizenKain]

I thought it was pretty well known that MJ was a giant asshole to everyone on the planet that wasn't him.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Did you read the whole thing? Jordan suffered through many racist events as a kid and there were many KKK organizations around.

How do you love another race when they all hate you?

This type of language is part of the problem. I don't hate black people and never have.

 

[Zaap]

If I remember correctly, the article said he got called the n-word once while playing high school or college ball. The primary source of his "racism" was watching Roots.

Amazing people can't see difference between Paula Dean and a young black male living in a southern town run by the Klan.

You just have to read thee two comments side by side. Absolutely amazing.

If one side could be accused of minimizing racism (and actually I think its more just being a bit more realistic, given the timeframe here) the other side goes nuclear hyperbole overdrive in the opposite direction always *hoping* for things to be much much worse than they actually were/are.

Amazing stuff.

 

[MongGrel]

Dude, seriously. There was no North Carolina town run by the Klan in the 70s.

Dude seriously.

Probably were.

I wasn't even going to comment and I know of a town in Indiana even that probably was mostly run by the Klan in the 70's.

*shrug*

 

[HomerJS]

Dude, seriously. There was no North Carolina town run by the Klan in the 70s.


Well said. I think we should all be able to agree that Michael Jordan has succeeded, that he holds no racist views now, and hopefully that his racist views as a child are at the least understandable.

The Klan were so prominent in the town where Jordan lived they sponsored Little League teams.

Also do you know lynchings were still going on in the 70s and 80s in the South?