Friday Fire: Was Jemele Hill’s Hitler Remark Racist?
Should not be fired
I have a daughter who is interested in journalism so that’s where my support for Jemele is locked. I truly feel she could ascend to the heights of Gwen Ifill (R.I.P Tim Russert) and I hope she gets there. This is about building a connection to the responsible yet foreseeable future. I want Jemele to get there. I will never give up on her…Whitlock either. That’s just how it is and how it will ever be…
This is not about me having a crush on Jemele. That’s ridiculous. She has eyes of fine wine of my Mom’s kind but let’s be real here. If My Homiez Call, I do not disappoint never ever. Plus, I sortakindanotreally gotta girl.
Sup Wow? How you doin’? Yeah plan on getting Julyed up real soon 
Seriously though…
This is not about me not being able to be objective…I just know why the analogy was made.
You all know Jemele is a friend, so I do have her back in any time of need regardless of what’s going on. That’s how I am with all my people and I’m not changing now.
Do I agree with her or any of my people at all times?
Hell no, but I gotta be there for her. That’s just me.
Can you compare her remarks to Imus?
No. Chill on that. There’s no comparison. Don Imus has a 30 year history of making asinine comments and is back working.
Can you compare her analogy to Kelly Tilghman?
No. Are you serious? She actually said on television to hang Tiger. Yeah she said it in jest, but where’s the comparison?
Did she use a bad choice of words given the history of her employer and some segments of society’s hard lustful dream for the Imus get back?
Of course, but who really is upset about this and give me real reasons why and I’ll listen. Seriously, I’m open to dialogue here.
Don’t just say Imus. That’s straight bitchassness. Come with something substantive.
I say this because Jemele and I had a conversation pre Finals. I asked her who she had and being from the D, there’s no way she could pick the C’s. That’s where the Hitler analogy originated and is firmly grounded.
She was not saying Hitler was a victim. If she used Stalin (who killed more people) would she be suspended? Probably not.
Am I upset her superior edited her piece from the original copy to pander once again to ESPN’s readership?
Ya damn right! That’s just foul.
Remember people, this is coming from a talk radio station (they originally posted her address and telephone number which is crazy) first. Listen to the show and judge for yourself whether or not they have any credibility in all of this (outside of Jemele’s words obviously).
For the record, if Jews are offended, then that’s their right. Just make sure the same people criticizing Jemele do the same when one of their own speaks something that can be considered offensive.
That’s all I ask.
It’s crazy when people speak out only when they have to.
Dig the intro in her last interview with TSF.
Jemele you need to take a stand in your writing and stick to it. It’s as simple as that.
Should Jemele be fired?
Hell no! Why is that even a consideration?
Man up America. We are giving the appearance of the softness of baby food! You should know by now what the hell is racist.
Why are you defending Imus any way out side of free speech?
Some of you can apologize for Ms. Hill all you like, but what if a white writer/commentator had said “I’m from Tallahassee. Rooting for Miami U. football would be like rooting for Idi Amin (or Robert Mugabe)”…? That white writer would be history today, and you know it….and this website would be one of the first to rant for that writer’s ouster. (“So I guess all black college football players are just contemporary incarnations of African mass murderers!?!? We can’t stand for that!!! Fire his motherf***in’ white ass!!!” One can imagine this websites reaction quite clearly….)
Comparing Boston to Hitler allows one to equate Boston’s rather unfortunate history of racial intolerance to Hitler’s quite unfortunate record of racial/religious slaughter. Even though a reasonable person would realize that Ms. Hill didn’t intend for that comparison to be made, they were her words, and she has to be held accountable for them.
It’s amazing how this website — or I should say, it’s writers — become quite morally relativist when called upon to pass the same judgments on fellow writers of whom they either approve or sympathize.
‘Hypocrisy’ ring a bell?
You know what? I usually have read your words with a certain sense of credibility attached, but in this instance you can kiss my Black ass!
How dare you speak for us when you only come her to rant and rave like a little bitch.
Come here strong or don’t come at all. I defended Jemele as a friend, not her words.
I’m sorry, but to compare a 30 year (his career) clown ass punk like Imus to Jemele Hill is both sick with bitchassness and cowardice.
The White folk who are coming out against Jemele are those who have dreamed of the get back ever since Imus funky cigar coffee breath smelling ass went down.
Where are the Jews that have been offended? Show me their words then lets talk.
Dude still has a job and might actually get away with something worse than the last time?
That’s hypocrisy at its best not a Hitler reference that while extreme was meant to show just how much she hates the Celtics.
I wonder if anyone here has read her apology on espn.com.
I just read it Okori.
Hey, so did I.
And?
Eh. I’m not one to apologize if I really don’t believe I was wrong. I mean if she thought it was funny she thought it was funny. I don’t do half assed apologies.
i was just thinking that it was a good thing that she addressed it, and didn’t try to somehow rationalize it.
The theme here seems to be, “Because what Jemele Hill said wasn’t quite as offensive as what Imus said, Jemele Hill should be completely absolved.” Sorry, I don’t buy that sort of reasoning. That’s typical white man obfuscation.
To TheLastPoet:
Imus was rehired because he’s a proven moneymaker. End of story. If Jemele Hill were a proven moneymaker, like Charles Barkley say (just to name a prominent black man who says a lot of outrageous and “colorful” things), then she too would be rehired at a larger salary, if indeed her situation called for it. It’s all about the greenbacks, with race only a comparably minor factor.
Mizzo — your logic appears to be this: if Jews aren’t ranting and raving in the streets and to the press about Hill’s flippant analogy, then it must not have been offensive. Such a conclusion is invalid. I believe the lack of a coordinated outcry is simply is an adjunct of the fact that Jewish Americans, in general, are much better off financially and professionally than black Americans, and such blips on the radar are less magnified as a result. The outcry against Imus really represents a deeper frustration of blacks with life in America, rather than the incident itself.
To put things in perspective, Imus and Hill aren’t racists like David Duke and Louis Farrakhan. They’re just two people who don’t have enough respect for other races to refrain from insulting verbiage. Neither should be fired from their jobs. Suspended, yes, as a reminder that they need to be considerate of these issues, but not fired.
Mizzo I haven’t had the time to properly post my comments of this situation here. I know I did a drive bye comment on here when you first posted your article. I want to clarify what I was stated when I used the Ice Cube verse from be true to the game. My point was that all the catering (IMO) that Ms. Hill still didn’t buy her browny points with the network or many of their good ole boy fan base. And that in the end I felt she would be axed and a new brotha/sister would be brought in as her replacement. Now I don’t want the sista to lose her job. But the way the ESPN fans and talk radio fans have been on her ever since she has been with ESPN I think that her job is in serious jepordy.
As far as this ever being an issue it should have never been an issue because the editor should have caught it. This makes me think that this was a setup.
As far as jews being upset I don’t know maybe this has slipped under the radar just like the whole Obama the magical negro thing with rush limbaugh. I myself always have my antenna up when it comes to religous issues because of my up bringing. My mom has changed her religous belief more then a few time. From Christian to muslim to judism to budism. Her conversion is the reason her and my father gave me the name I have (which is hebrew).
But at the sametime I would have never considered Ms. Hill comments any where to what Imus said. And definently not worth a firing.
Now what people fail to realize and what nick and temple pointed out is that not only did hitler kill white jewish folks but he also killed Gypsies, European blacks (as well as blacks who had stayed in europe after WW1) as well as people with disabilities.
But mizzo as you and erick daniels pointed out this ain’t nothing but a get back at colored folk moment.
Oh and davidmac or Hasani whatever your name is now….you do know you can be african american and jewish. Just like you can be african american and catholic.
Its so predictable that “whitey” (gotta love that throwback to George and Weezy) would claim Jemele’s statement is on par with Imus’ direct slur at a specific group of women that he himself put into context by clarifying the “School Daze” references right before he said it…..but yet its “the same” as what Jemele did? LOL…..I’m tellin ya…they have been looking for these “gimmes” ever since Imus’ little mini-vacation.
BTW…am I the only person that watched Seinfeld? I doubt Jerry would be remotely offended by Jemele’s one sentence in that piece.
So true Miranda. But lets be honest they were looking for these gimmies even when OJ got off the first time.
Its always some tit for tat sh%$.
You can see it with the media even.
Origin,
You right….I slipped…..but its not tit for tat…unless you mean our 1/2 tit equals their 3 tats…its never equitable.
So true sista so true.
Hasani you pick out one comment among many and ran with it.
Keep running till you are out of sight…
Origin thanks for elaborating. I’ll have something nice and tasty for the readers Thursday. Interviewing NYOIL..should be fire.
Miranda that the comparison exists is just ridiculous.
For the record, whatever that’s worth, I don’t think Ms. Hill should be fired, just like I didn’t think Imus should have been fired. Free speech, 100%, change the dial, delete the webpage, whatever….. if you don’t like the words, turn the page.
Being offended is a choice the offended person makes. It is possible to choose not to be offended. Ranting and raving about another person’s choice of words is childish, a lot like calling someone on here a ‘bitch ass’ or accusing them of being a ‘little bitch.’
And you talk about my post lacking credibility…? That’s funny. It’s SO credible to lob profanity at people. You get the top prize, Mizzo Shizzo….. Wear it well.
It’s rather surprising that this blog gives the appearance of inviting discourse, but if you step out of line and disagree with the (apparently) 5 or 6 regulars then…WHAMMO! It’s a pretty immature scene, unfortunately.
The provoked yet sheepish voice of condescending pure d bullshit speaks once again out of the ten eyed, saliva frothed side of Freddie Blassie punked pencil neck…
Look you two come on our site just to piss people off.
I’m not having that shit anymore. I don’t mind dissent. I really don’t but when you throw underhanded comments to suit your never happy agenda then I gotta say fuck you.
Do you hear that or do I need to say it again?
I will anyway…
Fuck you!
I’m tired of the bullshit. I’m tired of people comparing Jemele’s words to someone Black people have ’36 Jesse hated.
JO sure showed him didn’t he? His spirit lives on with a ridiculous passion people like you two just can’t get with because its too Black, too strong and too proud and straight up too unapologetic.
This shit is so fucking stupid.
That’s what is being lost in all of this. Fuck Hitler. Blacks could care less about his little blonde boy excrement lovin’ ass and you people are acting like we adore him? You know damn well his aryan ass couldn’t stand Blacks so why would Jemele’s words EVER be misconstrued?
If Blacks were in Oswiecim (Auschwitz-Birkenau) then we might have perished as well.
It’s absolute stupidity with the demonic stench of flies Black blind wide that disputes the obvious. If you don’t like what we post here the get the fuck out!
I’m dead serious.
We’ve stated our opinion empirically so enough is enough. You will be ignored from now on.
I’m not going to get into this will people who already know the deal. To compare Imus and his 30 year bullshit to one comment is absurd and you damn well know it.
Do it if you want to, but not here.
Imus knew what the hell he was saying. Why did he wait until the next day to clarify? Dig the tone of his voice and stop nullifying the truth. Has this dude ever championed the cause of Blacks? Hell no!
I’m done with this.
I do have some issues with this blog. Why is it when some other culture/race/person gets offended then it’s overblown and a way for someone to point back to black society. But when a black person is offended, we should all have known and they are valid?
Here’s why what she wrote is being taken offense to:
1. She was one of the harshest critics for Tilghman and Imus. She demanded they be suspended/fired, and said that there was no excuse for this insensitive slip by Tilgman as she was raised in the south and knew that what she said was wrong. She laid it out as if, this was just Tilghmans true side coming out.
2. She referenced race in the article when she said that it was hard for many to root for the celtics and their previously predominantly white team. If your going to open that door, tread very carefully the words you follow it up with.
I’m not very PC, I think a lot of this is overblown. I think all races need to take a step back and stop looking for reasons to be offended (blacks included), and realize that there are people who may not know things are offensive, some that know but don’t care, and many others that hear the jokes about it, repeat it but aren’t the right race so now their racist.
But I also believe through her previous articles and very clear line of what’s correct and what’s not then she needs to suffer accordingly. If her apology were accurate then she also sees what she wrote is offensive. If SHE truly believes it wasn’t offensive, then she was a hypcrite with her apology. AGAIN, let’s repeat that, she apologized and said she should have known better, that is essentially admitting it was a stupid comment, so she now needs to accept the penalty just as much as everyone else (be it black, white, jewish, catholic, etc) and stop making excuses for her. Just my Opinion. Good work.
Seriously Will the only people that have a right to be offended by this comment is Jews.
Blacks have a different past with Hitler that shouldn’t be diminished as well.
Anyone else who is equating Jemele to Imus is all about the get back even though this cat has 8000 stacks in his pockets and still gets away with floating in pig shit.
You say yourself a lot of this is overblown, so what’s the problem?
Please tell me why what Jemele said is anything remotely similar to Imus or Tilghman.
No one has given me anything concrete in dissent, so I’m sticking to my guns.
You need to really read my intent. the comparison I made was that Tilghman made a slip, and did not intentionally try to offend anyone. But it did, and no matter how much she apologized many in the black community couldn’t forgive her. Jamele came down on her just as hard and insinuated she knew better and unfortunately made it seem like as an intelligent women like Tilgman she should never make a slip like that and the two week suspension wasn’t enough. Well here we are where another intelligent women in Jamele Hill made the slip, so I say dont throw rocks if you live in a glass house. Expect people to try to come at you with the same force.
And you say the only peole who can be offended are the Jews, I say anyone who fought the war, had relatives die in the war, had families destroyed by the war, can be offended. Hitler persecuted the Jewish people, but he caused millions more deaths that impacted all races, religions, cultures, sexes, etc. A common comment I hear when races arguments are made are black people telling whites that you don’t know because you haven’t lived my life. Well I say to You and I and any other person that you don’t really know who it offended, becasue you don’t live their life.
Again, I’m thick skinned and I see her attempt at humor for what it is, merely an attempt to be witty. But as strong as Jamele comes down on others, no one should be surprised at the outcry against her.
P.S. not trying to be an ass, but if you’ve ever been offended in your life by something someone inadvertantly said, you can’t quickly dismiss when someone else says they are offended.
Personally this Politically Correct BS is out of hand. I have friends of all races, religions, color and many times with friends of other races/colors we joke about our heritages and make fun of each other. It’s not meant to offend, but almost everyone does it. Sadly, if we do this anywhere in earshot of anyone else, that person will claim to be offended and now we’re ignorant and racist. To each their own, but no one is perfect and no one way to live life is always the right way. If you think making racial jokes with your racially diverse friends is wrong the power to you, but I would think your in the minority on that one.
At least you didn’t say some of my best friends are Black
I stand corrected on who should be offended because you make valid points. I apologize for what should be construed as vague and insensitive.
Yet and still…please tell me why someone should be offended by saying “Rooting for the Celtics is like saying Hitler was a victim”.
I’m listening and willing to engage you here even though I’m typing up an interview some folk are waiting for.
My main question is why the hell are people defending Imus in all of this?
Why is there a market for sick people like Imus? It ain’t Black folk who are making him rich that’s for damn sure.
Another thing…I don’t make jokes about other races.
That’s where you lose credibility in your comment.
I owned a clothing line in the late 90′s called pointefive. We had a specific t shirt that caused mass hysteria. The shirt had the word racism on the front. On the back there again was the word racism in a tattered font. Under was practically every racial slur known to man. Then read: You’ve heard them, you say them, you’ve been called them. Racism is man made, Damn man for making it.
We sold a lot of those shirts. They were a hit with every race.
June 27th, 2001 two White supremacists vandalized my house and privacy fence at night and tried to take my head off with a 2 x 4 until one caught one of my Tyson like uppercuts to his Guy Smiley ass chin. They spray painted all kinds of sick shit on my house but were never found and the case was closed. I learned a lot about race during that time. I’m not an expert, but I learned a lot about racial psychology as well that I still employ today.
I say this because the reaction doesn’t fit the crime. The reaction to Jemele has been one of straight hatred. Go to her blog and read the comments. She was called every form of nigger possible.
Hmmmm…but somehow that slithers under the radar. People say she earned that outcry because of her past of comparing racist comments directed at individuals?
Bullshit. Maybe Tilghman and Imus speak the jokes you and your people say anyway everyday because they knew it was OK?
Is that some kind of therapeutic exercise to uplift spirits shaded with defense mechanism layers of insecurity?
Blacks don’t do that shit. I’m sorry, but we do not en masse.
It’s not funny to us. Never has and never will. We may say White folk can’t dance and walk with their booty holes tight but that’s tame by White folk making jokes about Black folk standards.
We’ve been called nigger for far to long to flip that shit on other races. We know how it feels way before we are born into this sick world.
[...] Media Silence Was Deafening: Besides the notable exceptions of The Starting Five and Awful Announcing few articles or blogs who weighed in opted to defend Hill in any way. Few [...]
Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but why isn’t this story being talked about like when Sprewell choked P.J.?
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8283692?MSNHPHMA
I’m not defending IMUS, so in resonse to my posts, that’s not valid. To say I lose credibility for what I said is your opinion but all my friends know where it comes from. I see racism as saying words with intent to hurt, when your with your friends joking around, then it can be taken for what it is, guys / gals talking smack having fun.
For example, I’m part Vietnamese and of my buddies is part Japanese. A good back and forth we joke around is about how ignorant his islanders are compared to us mainlanders and then we make up crap (that is not valid in any way) but used just to joke around. Seriously, if you can claim you’ve never done this, then I give you credit. But everyone I know from every race jokes around. I’ve had black friends who make fun of my asian background, but all in fun, and i’ll make my comments about them (of which have no validity and made all in fun). I don’t use the “N” word and dont’ condone it. I see where your angry and what you’ve gone through, but I read the comments in her article adn I really don’t see the 800 differnt ways she was called the N word. I did read the hate, but you have to read into the comments to know it’s they are racist based or just people who don’t like her columns.
Each race, religion, color will read it differently. So even if it’s not intended to be racist, if you read teh comments thinking people are attacking because of race, you’ll read racism into it. If your white adn ignorant to race issues, they could flat out call her a “N”er adn you probably wouldn’t see it as harmful. Just how you look at the words.
And you can’t honestly tell me that black people are not as guilty of cracking jokes about themselves, their race and other races as everyone else is. I’m just supposed to say the people I know are the minority, and all the comics/videos/shows and etc are just making up that this happens? I really don’t think so. That is where you lose credibility with me. But thanks for the forum. I’m not insecure as i’m a mut, my wife is a mut, and all our friends are differnt mixes of muts,. I’m pretty damn secure in who and what I can accept as races, and it’s pretty much any person who is nice, loving, and honest regardless of race.
I’m not sure why your resorting to attacking when I am honestly just trying to have an intellectual discussion. OH well, if you think what i say is offensive, respond that way, and I’ll just go ahead and take it for what it is.
I’m just going to shut up because I might say some shit you just don’t like.
Thanks for stopping by.
It’s just a shame that poor little Jemele couldn’t keep her head straight and defend Don Imus’ right to say what he wanted to say. When you empower the language gestapo in this country, this is what you get. Sorry.
Greg what dumb shit are you saying, When Imus called Black Women “Nappy Headed Hoes” he got another show and 80 million dollars, when Rev Wright criticized America and it’s polices 40 years of work for humanity and the poor went right down the drain along with his church being called a hate group and Hill Wright and Trinty getting death threats from Angry White Males. When Black People can say what they want without the NAACP, 38 million Black People having their Patriotism questioned at every moment then we will be equal.
Jemele said nothing racist or Anti Semetic it was a dumb analogy but most Black People hate The Bostons Celtics post- Russell because they intentionally promoted themselves as “White America’s Team. White Males can say anything they want and it is not attributed to 180 million people values and patriotism watch me or Mizzo or anyone say something “racially incorrect” and “you people” act like it the Popes during the Inquisition and want to question 38 million people if they agree with what one Black Man said . Yeah, the racial scales are totally imbalanced towards White Americans. No other group gets their loyalty to their country questioned by the MSM, and whites than African- Americans.
Yeah there is a “language gestapo” and the MSM are the SS
Yeah what E said.
[...] Blogs Strike Out: Besides the notable exceptions of The Starting Five and Awful Announcing, few other sports blogs chose to defend Hill against these media [...]
This blog entry is a joke. Complete slant and not a shred of objectivity when it’s clear someone you support was in the wrong. Don’t act like Jemele Hill didn’t offend anyone and didn’t commit the same crime of Don Imus. Don’t talk about Imus’s track record of offending; Hill has had a number of cases of required retraction and apology including a prior suspension. If you believe in free speech, it is free speech whether you support what is said or not. Simply put, ESPN did enough damage control to prevent Jemele Hill from being fired and CBS Radio was unable to protect Imus since they don’t control the news of the sports world and ESPN does.
Two names for you. Bonnie Bernstein and Lou Holtz.
How’s that for objectivity?
Eric you’re way off base. Don’t compare the Celtics to the Red Sox in race relations. The Celtic were the first NBA team to draft a Black player-Chuck Cooper. They were the first NBA team to start an all black team in 63-64. Russell, Willie Naulls, Tom Sanders, KC Jones and Sam Jones. The Harvey Araton book was a biased hatchet job. He had a big agenda. And the Celtics were the first pro sports team to higher a black coach- BIll Russell. What’s sda about the Red Sox is that the Bruins had a black Hockey player(first in the NHL) Willie O’Rea in 1957-58 the year before the first black Red Sock Pumpsie Geen played for the Sox.