Sunday, February 19, 2006

Bryant Gumbel - the racist

Did you hear or read about the remark that sports commentator (formerly NBC Today Show co-host) Bryant Gumbel made, regarding the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy?

I quote, "Count me among those who don't care about them and won't watch them. So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world's greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention," said Gumbel.

Of course he has the right to his own opinion. So do I.

This weekend my hometown Houston is hosting the NBA All-Star Game. There have been former and current pro basketball players here all week doing TV interviews and generally being seen around town. Along with them are many showbiz celebrities; actors and rappers. If you ask me, it looks more like a gansta convention than a gathering of professional athletes. I guess that's what should be expected from those who promote hatred and violence against anyone who isn't exactly like them. The NBA used to be entertaining. Now it's just a bunch of multi-millionaire whining, crybabies out to get the man. They don't seem to realize that the man is the one who pays them. I am sure Gumbel would much rather be here with his brothers rather than being paid (quite well, I'm sure) to report on a world-class, once-every-four-years event.

Ahhhhhh. I feel better. Got that off my chest.

ADDENDUM --

Please allow me to expand on my thoughts. I agree with Gumbel that these are not the world's greatest athletes (in the Winter Olympics). Neither are the stars of the NBA the world's greatest athletes. For that consideration, look at the athletes that compete in decathlon and pentathlon activities. Those athletes must excel in multiple events that display their strength, speed, endurance and accuracy. They must able to run, throw, jump and aim. They must excel at swimming and cycling. Rarely will they be sighted at a GOP Convention nor an NBA 3-point shoot-out.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi. Let me direct you to this Op-Ed on the lack of dark-skinned people in the Olympics. It may shed some light on Gumbel's thoughts.

http://www.slate.com/id/2136338/?nav=fo

Best,

Daryl

Mary Christine said...

I think I will ask my friend the Log Cabin Republican, or perhaps JC Watts or maybe even Condoleeza Rice what the hell the "GOP convention" looks like.

JJ said...

Let's talk CURLING....who the fuck says when they are a kid "I think I want to be a curler"...really? WTF....but let me tell you after watching it I was hooked! I want to be a curler now.
I see you,
JJ

The Humanity Critic said...

I'm not coming on your blog to start anything, lord knows how many people just come on my blog to trash talk..I comment out of respect..

But I must say, I don't particularly see anything wrong with Gumbel's comments. I mean, the winter Olympics do suck, and since he was speaking from his personal perspective he has a right to say that as a black guy he can't relate.(Hell, I'm a black guy raised in an all white town, many white friends, prodominately white college, and I can't relate either.) Plus, a GOP convention is a place where you don't see a lot of black faces.(Not counting the two that Mary Christine named that don't represent black people as a whole) But seriously, by saying what he said makes him racist??

Unknown said...

Ignorance=Racism
He should be fired.
Look what happened to Trent Lott.
The media must learn...fire ANYONE who makes racist remarks. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the rest of the hate mongers.

tia said...

Thing is, if a white media person said the Summer Olympics was like a NAACP meeting, they would be called on the carpet immediately.

I think it comes down to respect. Respect of another human being. Why does one person's personal opinion have to enter into a public forum?

Yes, I know it happens all of the time, no matter what race or religion.

Maybe I just choose to wear rose colored glasses... or that I'm still a 60's - 70's "flower child." Naive?

I just try to see the best in every person... and if I don't, then they must just be having a bad day.

just sign me,
"PollyAnna"
;)

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