Michael Jordan admits to racism.

[TheSiege]

http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...-racism-i-was-against-all-white-people-n98971

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/p...ent-after-racial-slur-controversy-f6C10548868

Its kinda messed up that Paula Deen was figuratively burned at the stake, but Jordan will suffer no consequence.
I am not saying anyone individually is to blame. I think both Paula Deen and Jordan are good people and not racist at heart. It's just frustrating how two innocent honest comments by each person can be twisted depending on how the media wants to shape it, and how we react.

 

[mikegg]

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?

 

[MongGrel]

I react mostly by ignoring most of those things.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Thirty seven years ago as a 17 year old kid but totally the same thing.

Full disclosure: I was pretty racist at 17 having grown up in North Carolina shortly thereafter as well.

 

[TheSiege]

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?

Clearly you missed the point of my thread. People are products of their environment, and I am not saying either person should suffer repercussions. I am merely pointing out the difference in how the media reports on it, or better yet, how they spin it.

 

[shira]

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?

The answer is that you recognize that it isn't valid to generalize the horrible behavior of a particular group of people that belong to a particular gender or ethnic/racial group to all members of the gender or ethnic/racial group.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

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.

 

[TheSiege]

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.

I respectfully disagree. I think by treating it differently, and acquiescing to that idea only fuels the racism is this country. Racism is wrong, regardless of how you decided to become racist.

 

[Sulaco]

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.

Except that there are countless black people, likely the majority, who don't harbor ill-will and blatant racism.

If past history is the catch all excuse for intolerance and ignorance, then the myriad of non-racist black people poke holes in that theory, and indeed, make the racists look like fools.

And that goes for everyone, of every race.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I respectfully disagree. I think by treating it differently, and acquiescing to that idea only fuels the racism is this country. Racism is wrong, regardless of how you decided to become racist.

Well of course racism is wrong; I don't think that really needs to be said. Michael Jordan isn't still walking around saying "fuck whitey" right? The issue is not that racism is always bad (which it is), it's the circumstances that led to the racist attitudes in the first place. Paula Deen was a member of a privileged class, had black servants and was taught that blacks were inherently inferior. Michael Jordan was continually taunted by the children of people like Paula Deen. You could make a very reasonable argument that Michael Jordan was a victim of racism and responded by lumping all white people together as an object of hatred for the way they made him feel. You'd be hard-pressed to tell a story where Paula Deen came to racist beliefs because all the black people were being mean to her.

So, yes, racism is wrong, and it's good that both of these people discovered that and (hopefully) changed their ways. But they didn't have the same situation that led them to racist thoughts in the first place, and that's what makes the situation different. Thievery is always wrong, but we're more lenient with the thief who steals bread to feed his starving kids than the thief who steals because he just didn't feel like paying. Similarly, we're a little more willing to forgive the black person who says "I hated white people because they all called me ******" than the white lady who says, "Yeah, I called them ******, but everyone was doing it."

 

[Zaap]

I respectfully disagree. I think by treating it differently, and acquiescing to that idea only fuels the racism is this country. Racism is wrong, regardless of how you decided to become racist.

I agree. A person can be angry at individual members of a race that wronged them and resent a system that promoted racism (Jim Crow south, apartheid South Africa for example) but then carrying those over to hatred against an entire race in general is just perpetuating the problem. There is no selective acceptable racism and until we get to that, the issue will just continue to fester.

 

[TheSiege]

Well of course racism is wrong; I don't think that really needs to be said. Michael Jordan isn't still walking around saying "fuck whitey" right? The issue is not that racism is always bad (which it is), it's the circumstances that led to the racist attitudes in the first place. Paula Deen was a member of a privileged class, had black servants and was taught that blacks were inherently inferior. Michael Jordan was continually taunted by the children of people like Paula Deen. You could make a very reasonable argument that Michael Jordan was a victim of racism and responded by lumping all white people together as an object of hatred for the way they made him feel. You'd be hard-pressed to tell a story where Paula Deen came to racist beliefs because all the black people were being mean to her.

So, yes, racism is wrong, and it's good that both of these people discovered that and (hopefully) changed their ways. But they didn't have the same situation that led them to racist thoughts in the first place, and that's what makes the situation different. Thievery is always wrong, but we're more lenient with the thief who steals bread to feed his starving kids than the thief who steals because he just didn't feel like paying. Similarly, we're a little more willing to forgive the black person who says "I hated white people because they all called me ******" than the white lady who says, "Yeah, I called them ******, but everyone was doing it."

Paula Deen never admitted to being racist, just using a racist term. A term that was common during the time she grew up and in that area of the country. To me, her racist word isn't nearly as bad as being racist, which Jordan admitted to. They were both products of their environment, regardless of US history. But you can't justify either one. And there is no accepting of racism not matter if its from a black persons mouth or white. I applaud them for admitting to their faults and trying to better themselves.

 

[werepossum]

The answer is that you recognize that it isn't valid to generalize the horrible behavior of a particular group of people that belong to a particular gender or ethnic/racial group to all members of the gender or ethnic/racial group.

Well said.

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.

Yep, and well said.

I respectfully disagree. I think by treating it differently, and acquiescing to that idea only fuels the racism is this country. Racism is wrong, regardless of how you decided to become racist.

In theory, I agree. In practice, racism by whites has historically had the force of law, whereas racism by blacks manifests only in sporadic acts of evil. Your initial point is certainly valid, but Playboy's point is also valid. I don't agree with the media spinning it so differently, but I can understand the rationale behind it.

EDIT: And personally I can completely justify Jordan's racism at that time. If one race is using the law to maintain an advantage in virtually every walk of life, I don't think it's unreasonable to hate the whole race. As Shira pointed out, that isn't really valid, but if something is enshrined in law then it's reasonable if admittedly inaccurate to assume that the majority supports it.

 

[TheSiege]

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.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

The publisher of the book has clarified that Jordan's quotes on this came from a 1992 Playboy interview and he had no involvement with this current book. They said that Jordan's comments specifically related to one instance where he was suspended after throwing a soda at a girl who called him the n-word. It basically just sounds like your typical teen angst, albeit with more racial undertones. He literally used the phrase "I was really rebelling." Seems like much ado about nothing.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

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.

Remember the part where he was a 17 year old kid living 37 years ago too? This is an entirely different thing.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

OH NO's!!!

 

[nehalem256]

EDIT: And personally I can completely justify Jordan's racism at that time. If one race is using the law to maintain an advantage in virtually every walk of life, I don't think it's unreasonable to hate the whole race. As Shira pointed out, that isn't really valid, but if something is enshrined in law then it's reasonable if admittedly inaccurate to assume that the majority supports it.

Racism pretty clearly was not enshrined in law in 1977.

 

[werepossum]

Racism pretty clearly was not enshrined in law in 1977.

True, but something that has for 200 years been a way of life does not disappear overnight when we decide it should not be a way of life. Takes a generation or two.

 

[dank69]

http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...-racism-i-was-against-all-white-people-n98971

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/p...ent-after-racial-slur-controversy-f6C10548868

Its kinda messed up that Paula Deen was figuratively burned at the stake, but Jordan will suffer no consequence.
I am not saying anyone individually is to blame. I think both Paula Deen and Jordan are good people and not racist at heart. It's just frustrating how two innocent honest comments by each person can be twisted depending on how the media wants to shape it, and how we react.

The difference is one admitted to being racist 37 years ago and now knows it was wrong, while the other actually said and did racist things right up to the point that the media broke the story. Pretending that this is simply the media condemning the white racist while giving a pass to the black racist is fucking retarded and you should feel bad.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Its kinda messed up that Paula Deen was figuratively burned at the stake, but Jordan will suffer no consequence.
I am not saying anyone individually is to blame. I think both Paula Deen and Jordan are good people and not racist at heart. It's just frustrating how two innocent honest comments by each person can be twisted depending on how the media wants to shape it, and how we react.

you have a serious lack of comprehension....

 

[JEDIYoda]

The difference is one admitted to being racist 37 years ago and now knows it was wrong, while the other actually said and did racist things right up to the point that the media broke the story. Pretending that this is simply the media condemning the white racist while giving a pass to the black racist is fucking retarded and you should feel bad.

exactly!!!

 

[shortylickens]

you know what? I dont fucking care. That man has done a shitload of good things over the years and since he never put on a hood and murdered anyone, I cant find it in my heart to hate him.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Its kinda messed up that Paula Deen was figuratively burned at the stake, but Jordan will suffer no consequence. <-- it would appear as if you are making a racist remark......also name one good thing Paula Deen has done good that has benefitted anyone else. On the other hand Michael Jordan has given and given to charities....I am not saying anyone individually is to blame. I think both Paula Deen and Jordan are good people and not racist at heart. It's just frustrating how two innocent honest comments by each person can be twisted depending on how the media wants to shape it, and how we react. <-- How can it be racist? Unless you yourself are being racist!

Dude read your own articles that you posted.....

 

[JEDIYoda]

Clearly you missed the point of my thread. People are products of their environment, and I am not saying either person should suffer repercussions. I am merely pointing out the difference in how the media reports on it, or better yet, how they spin it.

What difference....with Michael this happened whatb 35 years ago...cmon dude.....