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?
Sphere: Related Content
June 20th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Gotta go to work and read this fast. Maybe I missed it but what did she say?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I am not a fan of the sista but this is what it is. When the news first hit that the editor missed it (yeah right). I told my boy she was done. And I still believe she is on her way out.
But as Ice Cube said in be true to the game “but they don’t care they’ll have a new N^%$& next year”.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Maybe its just me, and maybe I read WAY too many blogs, but I feel like people have had it out for Jemele for a long time now. I dont know exactly when it started, but more and more I see her name attached to negative energy amongst the people and I really don’t understand it.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:06 am
That’s why I fight for her. I also fight for her because of a conversation I had with David Aldridge prior to the Finals. Just check her blog.
Why are people calling her NIGGER?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I defend Jemele Hill’s right to say what she said.
I defended Don Imus’ right to say what he said.
As D.L. Hughley has said, freedom of speech is a zero-sum policy. It’s either for everyone, or no one.
I didn’t find what Imus said funny by any strech, but as Ms. Hill has shown, we’re all a second away from saying or writing something that could offend someone, which doesn’t take much in this day and age.
But if you going to call for the firing of someone based on a statement you find objectionable, you better make sure your shit don’t stink. THAT’s why Ms. Hill is where she is today.
Intersting piece from a brother from Canada:
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3541
June 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
If the editors let it run on the site then they are the ones in need of discipline. I hope she sees what she’s up against now.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Honestly…. I read the column in its unedited form. And I never picked up on the Hitler thing as anything more than a line in a screed about how she could never root for the Celtics, and that doing so would be like rooting for Hitler. It was a heavy-handed (and IMO fangirlish) thing to write, but I wasn’t thinking that Jemele was somehow comparing Larry Bird’s steal off against Isiah Thomas to people getting gassed in ovens.
The reation to this is really overblown, and really ridiculous.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
You know how I feel about the whole thing. If you lie with dogs…
June 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Right temple. There’s no way an editor missed that by accident or maybe he/she thought like a lot of us that it was no big deal. Either way she needs to be paying attention now.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Given the way her writing was constantly scrutinized, she and her editors should have made sure that joke was able to pass muster. Unless you know for sure you have the skill to pull a joke like that off, you still may want to think twice about using it.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hill should not be fired. She doesn’t have a history (as Imus did) and people are allowed to make mistakes, plus since then she’s done a good job of accepting responsibility and apologizing (as Imus did not). Plus the comparisons to Imus are ridiculous there not in the same ball park. However, under no circumstances can Hill be excused for what is a needlessly offensive remark. There’s no reason she couldn’t have compared rooting for the Celtics to rooting for some other unlikable character who wasn’t responsible for the deaths of millions of people. She has to have the presence of mind to know that that statement is going to bring fire and she didn’t. The suspension is what she deserves, lets hope it doesn’t last that long and she can get back to her fine work. The reaction is overblown, no doubt, and yes, of course there’s a racial undertone, but if she goes back to writing columns it should (I hope) blow over quickly. She’s been upfront in her apology and people want to forgive so a suspension is all she needs.
But Mizzo, when you say “If Jews are offended that’s there right,” you miss a broader argument. She was comparing the Celtics (who’s 2008 incarnation has no rape accusations on its roster, by the way [I understand an aquittal is wholly different than a conviction but come on, Kobe Bryant isn't the world's most likable athlete]) to a man that considered not only the Jews unworthy of life but a large section of gentile white people (slavs) as well as a man that considered blacks more worthless than Jews to them Africans were sub-human. He should offend more than just Jews, as he killed more than just Jews. It was a silly statement to make.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
See that’s where I beg to differ. How many Atilla the Hun references do you hear?
I don’t care who the hell she is writing for..sports is a huge part of our culture.
I’m not for this bullshit notion that folks should get up in arms just because it’s Hitler.
If she came out and said something stupid about an individual or slammed an entire race then that’s obviously different.
We celebrate founding fathers in this nation every day who owned slaves and had people killed.
Where’s the uproar?
There’s a huge racial undertone to this that is disgusting.
Look…
I want to keep my personal beliefs out of this. I’m just showing some support for a friend.
June 20th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
That’s a fine point, Mizzo. And as I said, I’m not for the firing of Jemele Hill. It’s more than admirable that you’re standing up for your friend, she needs the support around the blogs to say the least. And The racial undertones ARE sickening, I agree. If this was Rick Reilly or another white columnist, IF there was a public outcry it would be muted and over quickly. Especially in Boston, this has gone too far to the point that the reactionaries (especially the radio station) have far outsinned the original statement. Everybody has been waiting for an “Imus-like” comment from a black member of the media to extract some revenge. And of course there’s a double standard regarding the Hitler and Founding Father’s aspect, but my point is that the comparison is needless. She could’ve avoided it by using a different example and she could have said the same thing. Plus, I can’t agree with comparing a basketball team to the murderer of millions. How about “Rooting for the Celtics is like calling Roger Clemens the victim?” or “calling Tim Hardaway the victim?” or even “calling Don Imus the victim?” I’m all for an edgy, push-button columnist, but this wasn’t meant to provoke thought or question beliefs. It was just a poor choice of words. ESPN seems to have accepted it as such, and they aren’t leading the league in even keeled, cool headedness, the Boston media should do the same. Plus, they won the damn thing so get over it.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Exactly. Thanks for stopping by Nick.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
No problem, Mizzou, I visit everyday. Keep up the good work. Also, I want to clarify, just because I believe that if Rick Reilly or a white columnist made the same statement the reaction would be minimal does not mean that I believe the statement would have been less offensive from a white typewriter or any other typewriter for that matter.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Who among us doesn’t think in today’s political climate, that Jemele just handed over a “gimme”……there is a rabidness (is that an insult to diseased animals?) out there that is just bubbling over. There are folks that live for one of “us” to make little comments like that so they can award themselves full rights to make every racist comment in the world about the angry black person. Michelle Obama anyone?
June 20th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Miranda,
In 1988, one of Ice-T’s best albums was ” Freedom Of Speech, Just Watch What You Say. ” Twenty years later, it’s become one of our country’s slogans. The notion of comparing which phrase was more offensive is, IMO, bullshit. If the wrong person gets riled up, that will set the wheels in motion to potentially cost someone their career. I couldn’t stand 2 Live Crew, but when they were arrested in Broward County, FL and their CD’s and cassettes were destroyed, it became a threat to everyone’s right to free speech. The loss of free speech wouldn’t just be confined to Jemele Hill, or Don Imus, or Michelle Obama. If anyone of us says something considered controversial, as Biggie asked : ” Whatchu gonna do when Big Poppa come for you? “
June 20th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Until we are in TOTAL control of our OWN media, things like this will happen. As a black journalist, we have to be EXTREMELY GOOD at our jobs and at the same time walk that fine line to make sure you do not fall out of the “good graces”
Peace.
The most known unknown.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Des,
Loss of free speech isn’t the problem because it doesn’t really exist, everything has a price…..its the loss of being able to speak freely. No one can be or ever will be that completely conscious with every word or thought that springs forth, just impossible, just humanly impossible. So this game of round robin on who-said-what-that-offends-somebody, will continue until heaven and earth pass away…unless we let the machines take over.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I am not a fan of Jamele,quite the opposite,I don’t think she’s a good writer and I think she uses certain issues as a crutch.However there’s no way in hell she should be fired.A suspension sounds right,what she said was deeply offensive and stereotypical(I’m not going to use the word racist as its the most misused word in the popular vernacular)
I’m not sure how you go about saying what she said wasn’t as bad as what Imus said,both comment came from a place of ignorance,and I think neither were meant to offend but that’s just what happens when you say stupid things.Jamele won’t get as much heat as Imus because she isn’t as well known.But both comments were as bad as each other.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Nick Renkowski — you are dead wrong about Imus. After his insulting and idiotic remarks, he apologized profusely on his show and elsewhere. It wasn’t good enough for the lynchmob and he was fired for it (obviously, he later got a job with WABC). It’s fine to hate on Imus. I don’t care for him myself. But, don’t make things up as you build your case against him. Distortion of the truth, or just plain lying or ignorance, is not commendable.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Here’s an interesting quote from Jemele Hill in regard to the Kelly Tilghman (Golf Channel) incident:
“…those who, like Woods, believed this is a “non-issue” would understand that the word “lynch” is off-limits to most blacks, just as joking about the Holocaust is off-limits to most Jews.”
I don’t see how anyone can sugarcoat what she said and her past positions on matters like this. It’s pure hypocrisy.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Hasani, great point with Hill’s previous statements but concerning Imus, it is true that he apologized but that was two full days later after it was clear the controversy wasn’t going to go away. Plus he was indignant the entire time. I don’t care that he was fired, I didn’t and don’t listen to him, he has a history of that kind of talk and that isn’t my thing. I don’t have a problem that he has a job now, every voice should be heard in America, I guess I’m just sad there is an audience for that particular voice. Anyway, the comparisons between Hill and Imus are mostly made up to create a storyline anyway, the two comments couldn’t be more different. But we agree that a suspencion should do, not a firing.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:31 am
When homegirl first appeared on the scene one of the first pieces she wrote for page 2 argued that black athletes were more violent than their white counterparts. I tripped because it seemed like I was reading Whitlock jr. Even though she reps the 313 like I do, I don’t have the same degree of sympathy for her.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:53 am
Nick — I again have to disagree with you about the comparison between Imus and Hill. The context and details of the comments are obviously very different. However, the ultimate effect is not. Black women, in particular, who suffered to hear Imus’s bullshit would not be blamed for feeling dehumanized. Now, imagine you’re a Jew, perhaps even a Jew who lived through the Holocaust. You think it doesn’t have a similar dehumanizing effect to have basketball rooting interests compared in a trivial, flippant way to one of the sickest atrocities of the 20th century? If black women and Jews are deeply offended by such unthinking remarks, and offended on a racial/ethnic level, then what’s really so different about the comments? Sorry, but it sounds to me that some of you are bending over backwards to defend Hill simply because, unlike Imus, you previously liked and respected her work.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dr. Spence:
I often wonder how that happens. I know the 313 - not like you do - but I know that this is some strange fruit which has been shipped to Bristol. Strange indeed.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I think Hasani hit the nail on the head-the hypocrosity in Hills words:
“…those who, like Woods, believed this is a “non-issue” would understand that the word “lynch” is off-limits to most blacks, just as joking about the Holocaust is off-limits to most Jews.”
What I find interesting-is that TSF is saying yeah she said that BUT….but nothing. Her intent (which wasn’t to offend) isnt the issue-the issue being fanned by those-who-werent-offended-but-dont-like-her is that she is now viewed as a hypocrite and she DID offend people once her ‘words’ got out. It doesn’t matter if the tabloid radio-hosts latched onto her words and fanned the falmes, its out there and the damage is done. Hill may wearing a scarlet swastika at the moment, but its gonna fade and people will forget…but as a ‘journalist’ Hill should have known better-especially penning stuff for ESPN-and especially after the Imus backlash-she should have seen this coming the second she typed the word “Hitler”…remember her response to your question in Part Three of her Interview-when you asked what advice she would give to young aspiring female writers?
“The main thing I would tell her is that you have to be as prepared or more prepared than your male counterparts. That is just a fact…You also have to believe in yourself. As you travel along the road to success, there are going to be many people that try to knock you down and discredit you. You have to believe strongly in what you do–that you have something relevant to contribute. I have to stress being prepared.”
Guess Hill wasn’t as prepared as she professed to be.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Delinda…did Jemele say I love Hitler? Did she say hang Jews? Did she call Jews out of their name like Imus did?
You know my explicit opinion on this.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
This shit is not about buts..that’s for damn sure. We as Blacks are criticized for not celebrating a flag we were hung under so we’ve been hearing buts our entire existence here.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:00 pm
What is it with you getting me fired up on Saturdays?
And another thing…the outlet in this instance DOES matter because stirring up controversy is what talk radio shows are all about.
Stop bitchin’ and appreciate that your town has just won it’s first bball title in 20 years.
What the hell happened to men in this world?
Take that shit back to week day afternoon television where the chicks hang out and eat bon bons or whatever
Talk radio hosts rarely go back to their journalistic roots unless the listener engages them in a decent sports conversation based on personal experience. You know that.
We have become a society based on tabloid information..and that includes ESPN.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Im bout to grab a box of bon-bons and plant myself on the sofa.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
So Mizzo, will she go back to the plantation, all contrite and obedient, or will she escape to freedom. You know, maybe start a blog, write indepedently for some one else, write a book or some sutch?
I may not know much, but I know whie supemacy enough to over stand that she is done at ESPN. Bet be making plans for after, ’cause this maybe a golden opportunity to go from being a…”girl, nigger, race card bearer at ESPN” to a …”girl, nigger, race card bearer controling her own shit” .
Holla back Jemele!
June 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Mizzo:
I don’t think Tupac is the best link in this instance. Mr. Shakur and Ms. Hill held/hold VERY different positions when it comes to the BEHAVIOR and ACTIONS of Black people. Why, someone might say that they’re as different as night and day. Mr. Shakur himself warned, “Don’t get caught up in the mix ’cause the media’s full of dirty tricks.”
June 21st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I just want to add that while we disagree, your loyalty is commendable. Loyalty is the only thing left when there are no rules.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Sankofa - You could be right, but the “F$@#! Jesus” Lady is back at work. I don’t think she missed much time at all. Of course, the setting was different. She wasn’t broadcasting when she said it.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 am
Real talk: Jemele is not a talented enough of a writer to survive this in the long run. Bottom line. And I wouldn’t be shocked if ESPN editors let the comment go through to have a reason to let her go …
Regardless, I don’t shed on tear for Jemele or think she should be treated any differently than anyone else has been in similar situations.
Remember, Jemele makes it a point to ensure that race is included in most of her articles or topics.
In her article about Thiglman, she even said that joking about the holocaust is off-limits to Jews… and then she drops a Hitler joke a few months later?
Play with fire, you’re going to get burned eventually.
The rules are simple now: If you make an insensitive comment about race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected group, you’re going to get slammed.
Everyone knows the rules. Or at least they should. And if Jemele didn’t… then that’s on her.
She should have known better.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 am
Jemele’s article does not even rise above the racism claim these numnuts are stating and didn’t Imus make 80 million dollars for being fired/rehired? White sports fans have no leg to stand on this issue. I hated the Celtics in the 1980’s because they represented White America’s worst elements in sports and if you read the book “the selling of the green” the fianical rise and moral decline of the Boston Celtics by Harvey Aaranton and Fillip Brody you will see why I hated those bastards and the city so much and I live in the South !!!
The Celtics themselves cultivated this racist attitude during and after the Russell era and always had to have a white hero to represent the Celtics first Havlichek, Cowens to Bird and Mc Hale and any third- rate white player. When they fell like the Red Sox because star black players didn’t want to play for the Celtics or the Red Sox because of tha’s city’s attitude towards the black population. Hill was expressing an attitude that white americans cultivate on the sly, teams like Notre Dame (when they are good) in Football, Duke in Basketball and players like Tim Tebow that these teams and players “play the right way”.
Well to me that’s they play “properly white american style” and they don’t brag, bring attention to themselves, and act like sportsmen which is the biggest crock of shit I have heard. Bird was the biggest trash talker along with Lattener and Tom Brady but you would never hear that amongst MSM types. Hill was not racist in her statement but a reality she was rooting for Pierce, Allen and Garnett to win a championship so they don’t have to bear the budren of being great players who never won a championship and Doc Rivers who almost did with the Knicks as player. Boston is still a racist city and I still hate the Celtics but Jemele should not be fired.
This is “Racial Correctness” run amuck
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
Eric — you obviously wear highly filtered glasses that are sensitive only to potential instances of racism or prejudiced directed toward black folks. Your rant just isn’t a very credible perspective.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Shut Up Friedman, Hassani or whatever your name is at the time, Hill was just stating a fact Asswipe about an attitude the Celtics themselves cultivated. You white conservatives practice “racial correctness” like a pimp trying to get his money !!!
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
And who would take Bob Parks seriously Des !!!! he is a right-wingnut out of the Ann Coulter/Neal Boortz mode.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
Ok, I know I’m slow sometimes but how is this comment racist?
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 am
Michelle, this is about “racial correctness” on the part of whites who are offended when a black person says something that goes aganist the ” so-colorblind paradigm” of race in this country.
example no. 1 - God Damn America because America has pursued Empire it got what it has dished out on 9-11
example no. 2 - George Bush and the GOP race-baiting politics is repsonsible for the genocide of 2400 Americans in New Orleans in 2005
If you say those things ‘good white americans’/and others will ask 38 million African- Americans to condemn those statments and “assimilated blacks” will demand you apologize or you will set race relations back 60 years because you told the truth about your country.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 am
Problem is, Eric, is that this field of “racial sensitivity” isn’t a level one. Imus was fired for his insensitive comment. Hill was not. And yet you rant as if the playing field were actually reversed, which it isn’t. You can pop your cork all you want, but you’re completely blind to reality, and your immediate retreat to insulting anyone who disagrees with you with ad hominem attacks is pretty pathetic. Grow up and make your points with calm intelligence.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Hasani,
Why would anyone compare her comment to the comment that Imus made? Imus has a history of making nasty comments about black women. He should have been fired a long time ago. That being said Hitler was a horrible human being. Ms. Hill used him to make a point. I say bad choice of words but racist. NO!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
I agree Michelle - Imus was specifically trying to insult a group of women with a derogatory slur, Jemele was not - its that simple…but like Eric says, this is a whitey “get back” that although isn’t close to being a comparison, will be used as such.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Problem is, Thandiwe/Solongo/Hasani/etc., Imus was fired for his “racial insensitivity” because, as the ladies say above, Imus has a history of being intentionally “insensitive,” whereas Hill, as much as I disagree with what she writes (so do not accuse me of homerism), does not.
Also, Imus was “rehired” at a new company where he’s making more money than ever before. We can all rest assured that such a fate does not await Ms Hill.
So what was that nonsense you were saying about the “reversed” playing field?
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Poet, to the tune of 80 million dollars and “hassani” when Jemele could sue ESPN for wrongful termination and collect 40 million from CBS and get another 40 million from some conservative prick then we will talk about a “Level racial field”. Whites don’t lose careers when they say dumb Shit Blacks never get back into the major leagues.
And Jimmy the Greek and Al Campanis were old and nearing retirment so don’t even try it.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Well……did anyone hear the latest Imus comments?? (smh)………..
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Don-Imus-opines-on-the-artist-formerly-known-as-?urn=nfl,89741
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Imus? Here we go again!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:06 am
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?
June 24th, 2008 at 7:40 am
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.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I wonder if anyone here has read her apology on espn.com.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I just read it Okori.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hey, so did I.
And?
June 24th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
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.
June 24th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
i was just thinking that it was a good thing that she addressed it, and didn’t try to somehow rationalize it.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
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.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
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.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:07 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:34 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:44 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:51 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:09 am
So true sista so true.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:38 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Miranda that the comparison exists is just ridiculous.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:32 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:22 am
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.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
[...] 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 [...]
June 26th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
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
June 26th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’m just going to shut up because I might say some shit you just don’t like.
Thanks for stopping by.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
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.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
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
June 27th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Yeah what E said.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:41 am
[...] 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 [...]
November 21st, 2008 at 7:02 am
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.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Two names for you. Bonnie Bernstein and Lou Holtz.
How’s that for objectivity?