Jason Whitlock Steps Up
Look, Dwil, Modi, Dave Zirin, Temple3 and I have been some of Jason Whitlock’s biggest critics on the
web and talk radio. The readers of SOMM and TSF collectively have been just as critical. I felt personally betrayed after my interview with him because I thought his dissent of Lupica and the rest of the cast on Sports Reporters was groundbreaking and a sign of a sorely needed revolution in journalism. We all know what happened after that (Black KKK, his foul moniker attached to C. Vivian Stringer which I will not repeat here). It truly pains me what I’m about to say. I don’t agree with a lot of what Jason writes but he deserves props for a recent piece about the real reason for the steroid witch hunt. I had hope (besides the Kev Dog Jemele interview, the Friday Fire thread is one of the best of all time on TSF) for him and some of you disagreed.
Check out Jason’s latest piece. It’s a gem. I have to admit I’m not shocked. He has consistently stated the steroids witch hunt has been about preserving American values–where Whites are concerned.
When Barry was young, he was hated despite his talent mainly because he told the media to kiss his Black ass. When he began to hit bombs, America let out a collective “Oh shit!”.
Before the haters hate, no one is condoning the use of PED’s. I’m torn on HGH until I personally get more information of its effects.
Some of Jason’s great points. This is exactly how I feel and some of us have been saying something similar for years:
“Willie Mays and Hank Aaron took good, hard runs at Babe Ruth, but The Great Bambino is still standing. Today he shares the stage with Brown, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan as the greatest of all-time in the American sports that define who we believe we are.
Babe Ruth is not going anywhere without a massive, nuclear fight. His supporters do not care that he dominated a segregated, inferior brand of Major League Baseball.
Babe Ruth is an important symbol, and challengers to his throne will be greeted with immense resistance.
That’s why steroids matter so much in baseball. They distort our appreciation of Ruth’s numbers, particularly his home-run stats, the penis-measuring digits of baseball. Chicks dig the long ball.
Barry Bonds threatened Ruth’s legacy in a way Hank Aaron never could. Aaron was consistent, durable and humble. Bonds was overpowering, menacing and arrogant. He was the epitome of macho.
When Bonds announced he wanted to pass Ruth more than Aaron, Bonds knew exactly what he was doing. He was giving the finger to all the baseball geeks determined to protect Ruth’s legacy. Bonds did not know he was also fueling the steroids witch hunt.
The hunt for Bonds ensnared Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and now Alex Rodriguez, the last known threat to Ruth.”
I don’t want to print it all, but dude is sure to catch mad wreck from the FOX readership. He already has over a thousand comments that I will not read because it’s Friday g’damnit! To those of you who think I might be overzealous in my praise for Jason, I have to say what he says here is very important to the discussion of how Black men are viewed in America (regarding baseball).
Black writers in particular have to step up and say what’s really real right now with no filler, backtracking, excuses or corporate junk.
I have to give credit where credit is due regardless of who the hell it comes from, so thank you Jason.
Of course I say this all with baited breath because ya still work for FOX bruh and we all know how they do us.
Please discuss this without prejudice.
Sphere: Related Content
February 13th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
A friend of mine in DC hit me up about this piece yesterday. I read it and found it to be consistent with his overall writing style.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Correct, but it was also devoid of Fox pandering, throw cats under the bus bs.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I thought he threw Obama under the bus. I don’t see where he needed to reference Obama in any way in his article.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Let’s see which cliche do I pick?
- A blind squerrel can find a nut sometimes.
- A broken clock is right twice a day.
- The sun shines on a dog’s ass too.
Miz, I read the piece, and I’ve never denied that Whitlock can be a talented writer when he really wants to, but it’s still Whitlock, and while he rides the same train, the only cause he’s down for is the one that benefits him the most.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
LOL@ des’ cliches
February 13th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
You both are correct. He didn’t need to throw Obama under the bus (didn’t read that, haven’t been to sleep yet…no excuse…my bad) and yes he is down for what benefits him.
As a writer, this is a very important time for history. This era will be discussed for years after we are gone.
For a Black writer to speak out on the slobber all around Babe Ruth sets a precedent.
It ain’t about the man or his writing. I could care less who wrote this, but at least, someone of “note” wrote it. Where people give a damn is another thing, but I haven’t seen anything from a MSM Black writer saying the same thing about Ruth….right now.
February 13th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Save for the Obama part, the column is an excellent one, and the part about the incredible collective whiteness of baseball reporters must be noted. Baseball writers have the least diversity in both race and age of “the big three”, and this has helped to fuel the steroid hysteria where football writers more rational. It is not just those indelible “records”, it is anal retention of these so-called “purists”.
now about “the Whitlock dilemma” or “the blind squirrel dilemma” or “the broken clock” dilemma or the “sun on a dog’s ass” dilemma (go des!), I lean toward agreement with mizzo here.
I have always felt that “an idea” must be considered independent of its source. And while we should always be cautious about going about it, there is greater danger in not doing so at all. Many writers I love because they routinely champion great ideas, but what about the writers we don’t like? Well, those people should be encouraged during the few times they get it right with the hope that their “good idea to bad idea ratio” will improve in the future.
whatever we think of Whitlock, it is a fact that he has some sway over an audience that ain’t exactly making daily trips to TSF and the like. That means we need whitlock to be less sucky tomorrow than yesterday… same shit goes for mitch Albom, mike Lupica, Skip Bayless, Jay mariotti, etc… these people are followed by morons — but morons vote!
For me, “good journalism never personal”… and this is my final case for the importance of “honor amongst sleaze”:
We can all agree that the New York Daily News is a tabloid rag right? While so true, the NYDN has made an enormous contribution to the baseball discussion. They have consistently been the ONLY publication that has routinely investigated steroid use amongst the white athlete. McGwire, clemens, Ankiel, pettite, Glaus, HGH summer… ALL these guys had major stories broken by the Daily news while everyone else was protecting these athletes. I will submit that if the NYDN did not exist — then Barry Bonds would still essentially be “the lone gunman” with little exception.
now I am not holding my breath for a newfound rehabilitation here as Whitlock just has too much mental “mixedupedness” going on for that… His volatile mixture of careerism, self-hate, and love of controversy make him the ultimate wild card who can go any direction. And still –
Honor amongst sleaze counts.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
February 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I took mizz’s word to heart and read the piece. I gotta give the guy his due: he spoke the truth. I agree that Obama shouldn’t have been mentioned but he pretty much nailed it.
This is something that everyone who follows baseball w/o any biasness(sp) already knew.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I can’t believe you agree with him. No wonder the sun’s shining. LOL
February 13th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Temple,
I stand corrected.
I think that i glossed over that line.
that is an absurd statement. that is a dangerous statement. it demonstrates a profound and scary lack of context that aligns quite well with the twisted psychology of the “white power” movement.
Shit, that statement is so damn egregious that it basically nullifies the rest of the article.
Revision: my previous post would only apply to that article if he omitted that statement. At least the article has to stand on its own.
Damn, my head hurts.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I hate temple.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I really do.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I think a distinction needs to be made.
I don’t believe Whitlock (Lord, help me here!!) is trying to give everyone a pass. I think he’s pardoning the mob — but not for lynching — for simply being a mob. On that level, I believe he’s correct. I don’t think any particular group is above “steady mobbin’” (Have you ever seen such a sight in your life…there goes the neighborhood!)
I took him to be saying that national sports writers have stoked the flames of contempt by playing to the deep-seated sentiments in the mob that have led to the lynchings. In other words, in a null state, “we” all have the possibility to engage in egregious behavior, but a civil society is held together by precluding WildCards from dousing us with accelerants.
America is a nation that is predicated on stoking white anger to achieve policy prerogatives. Republicans do it all the time. They know there is a Latent Mob ready, willing and able to exact retribution for real or imagined slights. Whitlock is suggesting that the assault on Ruth is an IMAGINED SLIGHT based on a sense of SHARED RACIAL IDENTITY and that this sense is susceptible to agitation for a larger purpose.
I still don’t like his ass, but I heard him OR at least I thought I did.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
When Bud Selig, Donald Fehr, Gene Orza, Hank Steinbrenner, Tom Hicks, etc. are called out on the carpet and punished for letting PEDs flourish under their watch, then I’ll take this seriously. Otherwise, it amounts to smacking Pookie around while Nino Brown walks free.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Bud Selig fakes outrage. Tom Hicks demands an apology. What gall! WTF?
February 13th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
When these fools (owners, GMs, and Selig, NOT the players) agree to give all the money they made when everybody was hitting homers back, they should shut up. They don’t have any moral ground to stand on. Just say we screwed up and do your best to preserve whatever integrity the game has left. I’d have more respect for them if they did that.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
As far as I’m concerned, it’s time to legalize PED’s. It’s obvious the players will always be one step ahead. It’s also obvious that the ones with the power to stop (or at least substantially curtail) its use won’t do it as long as money is being made. So let’s look at it realistically and with adult eyes. Legalize it and make sure the players are medically supervised. The toothpaste is out of the tube and there’s no putting it back. Stop trying to perpetuate the myth that baseball should have any more integrity than football or basketball. Nobody caused too much of a stink when Shawne Merriman and Rodney Harrison got caught. And why isn’t anyone questioning LeBron? 6-8, 270, runs like a wide receiver. But he’s above suspicion…why?
By the way, A-Rod should be cursing out and suing the union for holding on to the test results. He’s the only one that gets thrown under the bus while Fehr walks. That ain’t right.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Matthew,
If/when Selig reinstates Aaron as the HR king (btw, did anyone hear him say anything about removing Roger Clemens records?), his next act should be his resignation. All of this happened on his watch, yet the MSM has given him a pass. If this was the NBA…
February 13th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Don’t even say it, des. MSM would be saying Stern’s letting the “thugs” run amok.
Selig didn’t say one word about Clemens’ records being removed. Much as he would like to, he can’t restore Aaron as the HR king. That’s one fight with the union he can’t win. You know the street rule: before you get in a fight, make sure you can win it.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I agree with MODI’s comment that “an idea” must be considered independent of its source. As much as many of you have against Whitlock (and you know i’ve been on here before debating it all out on here in a way only TSF can do, which is why this site is great), many of it justified… the article is spot-on. Granted, he didn’t need to put the Obama part in it. But I agree with him that it’s a poor attempt at humor, rather than some offensive racist mess. Just a mock of a very popular design style (there’s a few step-by-steps out there to show people how to do it) made famous by the man sitting at the throne right now.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
besides all else that has been stated, Selig is unqualified to make that decision.
It is well-known that Selig is very close friends with Hank Aaron going back many years. It would be as transparent as ford Frick giving Roger Maris an asterisk
February 13th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Matthew,
This is why A-Rod’s name was the only one that was released…
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK — An unauthorized and highly anticipated book about Alex Rodriguez is coming out a month sooner than planned.
Publication of Selena Roberts’ “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez” has been moved up from May 19 to April 14 as scrutiny builds on the New York Yankees slugger after he acknowledged using banned substances from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers.
“A-Rod,” which reportedly includes salacious details about Rodriquez’s private life, was originally titled “Hit and Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez.”
Publisher HarperCollins, which this week listed the new release date on its Web site, has announced a first printing of 150,000 copies.
In a related development, admitted steroid supplier Kirk Radomski said in a radio interview Thursday that four players were the source of the Sports Illustrated story, co-written by Roberts and David Epstein, that reproted A-Rod had failed a drug test.
“A-Rod was let out for one reason,” Radomski told WFAN-AM. “Four players, four of his own peers, talked to Selena Roberts and David Epstein. Four players, I probably could get all four of them. I know who they are.”
February 13th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Marion and Banks traded for JO and Moon. I’ll have more. Has this been reported yet?
February 13th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Miz, Just caught it on ESPN.com.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
des,
just checked the yankee calendar. book comes out exactly two days before the Yankee home opener. Just like they did with Bonds, the next day SI will feature A-Rod on the cover (again)promoting the book just like they did the Game of Shadows.
tuesday: Book release
Wednesday: SI Cover expose
Thursday: Swarm of press at Yanks Home Opener
These people are dirty.
DIR-TY.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Everyone, especially MODI,
Jonathan Littman of Yahoo Sports is on top of it:
SAN FRANCISCO – Newly unsealed search warrant affidavits in the Barry Bonds perjury case reveal that Jeff Novitzky, the lead agent in the steroids investigation, believed that former BALCO vice president James Valente falsified records to cover up a drug test of the home run king.
The information could help Bonds in his perjury case, legal experts say. The prosecution has argued that BALCO drug tests and ledgers should be admissible evidence because Valente is a sufficiently credible witness to make up for the absence of Greg Anderson, Bonds’ personal trainer who has said he will not testify. However, Novitzky’s affidavit raises questions about Valente’s integrity.
Bonds is scheduled to be tried for 10 counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice March 2 in federal court.
Novitzky’s July 25, 2003, sworn affidavit unsealed in federal court Thursday asserts that Valente purposely misrepresented the source of a specimen sent to a testing lab. Novitzky said that while examining BALCO’s trash, he found a fax from BALCO to LabOne signed by Valente, stating that a specimen sent Feb. 5, 2003 labeled as “Barry B.” was “mislabeled and instead should read ‘Greg Anderson.’ ”
Novitzky called the affidavit highly suspicious. “Nowhere on this document or any other similar BALCO Labs document that I have observed during the course of my investigation have I seen Greg Anderson reflected as having a specimen taken by BALCO Labs, suggesting a conscious effort to conceal Bonds’ name being associated with a specimen that was sent for testing.”
Novitzky recounted that he found documents related to a Bonds specimen and phony affidavit while inspecting BALCO trash. “As detailed below, the specific document seized on March 3, 2003, reflects that on Feb. 5, 2003, at 9:30, patient Barry Bonds had an RBC and plasma specimen taken under the physician name of Goldman.”
The following page includes a copy of the Valente affidavit, which says that the specimen for “Barry B.” had been “mislabeled.” Valente stated, “I certify that to my personal knowledge the specimen(s) labeled as indicated are in fact specimen(s) for Greg Anderson.”
February 13th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
The Yankee book is on it’s way to my house as we speak. I’m reviewing it.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Not Selena’s
February 13th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
MODI,
By that time, There be be some backlash headed Ms. Roberts way. Prediction.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Miz,
Will you share? Ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have some
February 13th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
No problem.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
miz, I presume Torre’s!!!
des,
thanks. jonathan littman has been on fire on this Bonds case. In MSM, ESPN seems to be representing the prosecution and yahoo (thru Littman) seems to be representing the defense.
Littman deserves great credit and was the only mainstream dude calling out novitzky as far back as 2004.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Yeah Torre’s.
February 13th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
That Marion, J Oneal, trade is a dud. They’re both washed up and shells of their former selves…
As far is Whitlock he’s aight with me. Makes good points and says things that most blacks in his position are too afraid to say. And I found nothing wrong with the Obama comment… For those that do… *Hands you a tissue*
February 14th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Y’all funny.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:20 am
Even Whitlock has his moments.
February 14th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Well what can I say Unicron whitlock made a decent point.
But that comment that Temple highlighted just showed you how ignorant that fool is.
That one comment turned the whole article to trash.
February 14th, 2009 at 5:01 am
See…he comes on here and all he can say is ya’ll funny. That’s cool.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Man mizzo I didn’t even see that. Guess he couldn’t type with all that barbecue sauce on his fingers.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
You know what Jason? That you even come here is telling. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, but I suspect…no I know…your motives are exactly what most of us presume them to be. I said before you are in fact the Black KKK ya damn self and I stand by that with a Nat Turner lick forever sick in your yeah me boss nit wit shit.
How much are they paying you to sell your insolent soul to the demonic masses?
Do they tuck you in at night when you get Black man fright and rock in their angry chair next to your big eyed shivers until you are calm for the moment right…exhaling when your eyes finally open to once again slobber while focusing steadily on the Uncle Ruckus white loving light?
What is it?
You probably got off my well meaning hope, but now I see things as they are. As long as you continue to spark this dichotomy of hate that is just so obvious, just so ignorant, just so insidiously lustful and just plain evil, you will always be the enemy no matter what some of my friends say.
This site was created to give a voice to those wanting real rap instead of the fake ass bubba lipped caricatures presented every day as fact in and outside of the game just to help some segments of society feel better of themselves.
There are opinions needing to be heard and as long as you purport yourself as this be all end all inferior mass infused weapon to the final call I have no sympathy.
I see now why you blame Hip Hop for the destruction of American values. The powerful sound Hip Hop carries is foreign to your soul just as it is to those who don’t understand its purposeful lyrics spit right in their faces.
Your audience, whatever that may be, sucks.
You edge over the cliff whenever issues arise where difference should be gained and subterfuge yourself into this decaying flesh fed pinball voice of the common man who can’t find his ass with two hands and his ass.
Sparking anger does not advance the frame and the mere mention of your name gets people right where you want them.
Yeah…I can knock ya hustle.
You’ve created this antihero dead set on soiling the entire field with troglodyte this era euphemisms grounded in blood lust and overindulgent, gossip rag, stupid, giddy laughing nothingness.
I can’t believe I wrote that piece above, but I guarantee you that sucker for love ass nigga in me fell for your trash for the very last time.
‘Cause at every turn I ask you…
HOW YOU SELL SOUL TO A SOULLESS PEOPLE WHO SOLD THEIR SOUL???
February 14th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Um… wow, Miz. Lots of vitriol in your heart. Give peace a chance?
February 14th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
No justice…
February 14th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Great comment brotha Mizzo. We got to keep up the fight man.
February 14th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
When I read Whitlock’s piece, I paid no attention to his comment about Obama and, perhaps, the racist, self-hating bone he threw to the horde. As I shared with T3, the HUGE thing to me is that he imperils his own physical existence judging by some of the comments leveled at him, which is as it should be. It is clear that he’s sold his soul to that audience. I just love that the piece has been taken as a searing, shockingly unexpected stabbing attack upon the horde and, if it acts as a slow poison on them, then so be it.
If the friend of my enemy suddenly morphs into an enemy of the enemy and levels a blow that injures that enemy horde, I’ll take it. If they destroy each other in the process, well, then that’s a “win-win.” Whitlock’s made his redemption-less bed and, ultimately he’ll have to lie in it.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Miz,
I know you gave every chance. That was for every mofo that mistakes kindness for weakness. Don’t get it twisted, it really is a thin line between love and hate.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:34 am
BTW, ” Angry Chair”. Alice In Chains was the shit. Layne Staley, gone but not forgotten.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:37 am
What do I see cross the waaaaay?
February 15th, 2009 at 1:00 am
You gonna make me play their greatest hits.
” i’m the man in the box…”
February 15th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Dizzam!
I’ve been checking out your work for a long time Tillery. I don’t agree with everything you write but your work on Donovan McNabb is A+. I really dig how you put your words together and your comment to JW had a Ether feel. Wish they’d let you rock the site I frequent because the sports are seriously lacking.
About Whitlock, his fat ass needs to jump on the back of the bus where he belongs, take off that black sheet, grab a hold and run around KC for a couple of weeks til he sweats like a big girl goin’ for hers.
I really dig your approach to the interview process. Keep bangin’ ‘em in the dome like Nassir brother.
Can’t wait for the Skip Bayless piece even though I can’t stand his ass.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Dolo thanks for the flattering words, but it ain’t about me bruh. ‘Preciate ya checking us out.
Yo Des…I cannot get that song outta my head.
Damnit man!
February 15th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Man, the only thing I can think of here is that this entire exchange was interesting. I don’t see why Jason would comment like that when Mizzo was clearly sticking his neck out for him in this piece as Jason clearly has few fans hear.
Oh well, no good deed….
February 15th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Matt I just saw this. This is it in a nutshell right hurrr.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Sing it ya’ll: “Don’t wake me…I’m dreamin. Girl don’t wake me…”
See what you did MF…ya took me back to the movies just like that.
Just please…no CMB references.
February 15th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
MIZ,
“SIT…yo’ five dollar a—- down before I make change!” LOL
February 15th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
And to think Miz and I have had it out here twice over Whitlock. I defended him in particular and free speech in general. Ain’t that nothin’?!
February 15th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
“Black writers in particular have to step up and say what’s really real right now with no filler, backtracking, excuses or corporate junk.”
Miz, you may as well as Black writers to turn water into wine.
“GO ON & KEEP THE PARTY GOIN’!!”
February 15th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Jason,
Before you come here and reply “Y’all funny”, check what’s being said here. Sites like this are necessary because MSM won’t do their job, which is to be informative and objective. Respect our opinions, or at least have something intelligent to say.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:40 am
Origin that Barbecue sauce line is classic.
Whitlock lost me when he started blaming Hip-Hop for everything conveniently when it was popular to blame Hip-Hop for everything, although he is mostly right about this particular issue
February 16th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Rocka bye baby…
Oh the CMB comment was Color Me Bad lol
You know what though? There’s a definite incertitude behind Babe Ruth’s race mainly because of his physical appearance, birth certificate, how he grew up and Ty Cobb’s comments. You never know what’s to come of this or the motives of corrupt news organizations.
Question everything.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Here’s a thought: hip-hop gets blamed for everything wrong that black folks do, yet Hollywood’s been flaunting violence, premarital sex, having babies out of wedlock, homosexuality, just all kinds of mess, and nobody says a word. Not judging, but I do see a difference.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
CMB = Cash Money Brothers
February 16th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I will respectfully agree to the basic tenets of the column written by Jason Whitlock………that’s as much as I can muster without throwing up. I refuse to actually offer anything more complimentary than that to a man who calls himself Big Sexy but can’t find a pair of socks that fit over his ankles.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Wow Miz!
Listen, don’t regret the original post because the spirit of it was right. If there is a day when Whitlock should ever come around to “the side of right’, then a door should be open and I think that you have graciously sent that message more than once. ‘Til then: “Ether”.
Now about Burundi the philosopher:
“If the friend of my enemy suddenly morphs into an enemy of the enemy and levels a blow that injures that enemy horde, I’ll take it.”
I swear that I had to read this shit four times to understand! But I agree.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Jason is ummmmmm. Not worth talking about. Nice piece Mizzo but NEXT!!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Do we know that was ACTUALLY Whitlock?
Just curious. I imagine Mizzo must have some way to confirm, but it would be a shame if Mizzo went all “Hit em up” on Whitlock only to find out that it was DavidMac or something……
February 17th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I confirmed
February 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I miss David Mac. LOL!
February 17th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I didn’t have a problem with either of his articles. I was just pissed when he got on this site and tried to clown folks.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I read all 69 comments here, and I have read a lot of his articles (although doing so required me to numb myself with whole 2-liter bottles of Dr. Pepper afterwards) and I have one question for Mr. Whitlock: Who in the FUCK do you think you are?
You honestly think that just because you write a nice column every once in a while, a column that by the way still traded on the cheapest stereotypes about people and made a ham-fisted obama joke, that you can spend your valuable column space, space that real talented writers and not shiftless hacks like you would kill for, on clowning every black athlete and stepping and jiving for the white men who sign your paycheck?
Let me make this clear: I wish you ill will. I hope you get fired. I hope you can never receive another job in journalism again more meaningful than throwing out typewriter ribbons. You hear me?
February 18th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Don’t even trip, Okori. Karma’s real.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
i’ll be fine Matt. don’t worry about me.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
God is too good for it to be this angry up in here!
But I do love it when I spark Mizzo to break out his extra big thesaurus and turn into Cornell Eric Dyson West with a laptop.
One love,
JW
February 19th, 2009 at 12:10 am
My computer has been down all day long and this is what I get?
We have been saying this same stuff about you for years. Don’t flatter yourself mang.
One love?
Is that a joke?
That’s what I’ve been saying to you since 2006.
Show and prove.
C’mon man this is not even insulting any more.
I want to see you with your CEDW glasses on. Maybe then you can rock something substantive that could be entertaining as well instead of speaking to the cave grunts.
That’s not your stee though right?
I understand.
You know, your peers that come here, do so with open eyes and crisp minds. I just hope you’d do the same but you know, that’s cool.
You ain’t entitled to.
Take care big guy.
February 19th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Interesting discussion.
Folks are complicated. I’m guess Whitlock really feels like he’s fighting the good fight. Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice probably do too. Shit, Michael Steele might feel the same way.
People believe all kinds of stuff. I remember Whitlock wrote a really nice piece about Ralph Wiley and I emailed him my appreciation. I wonder if he thinks he’s carrying on Wiley’s mantle. I wonder how he sees himself. That’s the really important thing, how people view themselves. Because as long as folks are convinced they are doing the right thing, they’ll never change.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:43 am
MODI: Thanks for the compliment.
I think that we are left with being Philosophical about those Blacks who willfully, knowingly aide and abet attacks upon the collective. The only way to keep folk in line is for them to see folk of that ilk pay the wages of their “sins,” as it were. I used to think that some Black folk were simply ignorant; that they just didn’t know. Now I know otherwise.
I always think of one of my favorite movie lines from “Romeo’s Bleeding:”
Roy Scheider’s character says, “Jack (Gary Oldman), you know the difference from ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. You just don’t CARE—and that’s perfectly natural.”
That’s why I can see the poetic justice in his audience turning on him. Whitlock and others just like him seem entirely oblivious or indifferent to understanding that his audience is hardwired to hate him, nonetheless, despite him maybe one day falling victim to them a la David Berg (I think that was his name though he wasn’t a turncoat, if memory serves).
T3: You always come to mind when Mona Dimarkov (Lena Olin) has Jack digging a grave for Scheider’s character. Scheider is less pissed about his fate, as opposed to were in NYC it is. Scheider does an excellent job of channeling your disgust, which is one of the funnier things in life.
Big Man: Whitlock’s piece on Wiley, whose work I thoroughly enjoyed, was the first I’d ever read of his and, perhaps, is why—on occasion—I suffer through a column or two of his—despite doing so, often is like sifting kernels of corn from excrement, lol. No question in my mind that Ralph would be greatly disappointed were he alive to read some of the crap Whitlock has penned and, I’d bet he’d tell Whitlock not to use his name in association with him.
Once again, I think that it’s less an issue of folk being complicated, but rather them being indifferent to ‘right’ or ‘wrong’—or, them simply finding the word ‘integrity’ a quaint, antiquated notion. After all if no one is going to hold you accountable, what’s the point? You can delude yourself with the twisted notion that you’re doing right and give a sincere performance to boot! But if no one brings you to task, what does it mean? In other words, had Black folk not lost their sovereignty and their ability to hold the ranks accountable, it’s unlikely that we’d see the likes of a Clarence Thomas or Condi “I’m a war criminal too!” Rice. They’d just know better.
I think that those folk straight Jedi-mind trick themselves in order to get that check and all it can buy—or, in those rarest of cases, they may just still be slaves.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
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