Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy should be congratulated for being excellent football coaches, not black football coaches. (1665 hits)
Category: SportsRating: 1.39 on 46 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Thomas R. Sorrell - sorrelltr.at.hotmail.com (View user info) at 2007-01-22 12:14:06 EST
On Sunday, the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts defeated their opponents to advance to the Super Bowl. Both were well-played and well-coached games, the up and down storylines of the two contests were excellent, and their upcoming match up in the Super Bowl has the potential to be one of the best games of the year.
Yet less than 24 hours after the final whistles, I'm already pressing the mute button whenever the talking heads of the media fire up their voice boxes for a shouting match regarding either team. Why? Because I know the race of the two coaches will be brought up no less than 4,197 times in a five minute segment and quite frankly, I just can't stand to hear it anymore.
I'm sorry, but why should the race of a head coach be a big deal? So they're the first black coaches to make the Super Bowl...so what? Isn't the whole idea of this country not to see race anymore? That everyone is equal and no labels should be applied? Doesn't constantly talking about race and acting as if it's a huge deal discount the achievements not only of them, but of others. Doesn't it do its part to counteract any progress that's been made?
Did anyone in the media celebrate Steve Nash's color or ethnicity when he won the MVP the last two seasons? Wasn't he the first Canadian to win the award? Wasn't he the first white player since Larry Bird to do so? Isn't the NBA a predominately black league? So why the double standard? Why was Nash not congratulated for being the first *insert label here* to do *insert task here*? Because this country is terrified to do or say anything that could be considered racist, that's why. Because being "racist" is the equivalent to having the bubonic plague in the 21st century...if you're white, that is.
(Speaking of which, in accordance to modern-day national policy, I am required to apologize for mentioning race in a way that others might not agree with. I am truly sorry if I have offended you. However, the reason for this article is not to say anything negative about race, but to call attention to the asinine labels the media so casually throws around.)
The idea of congratulating a coach or player for their race completely goes against everything that's been worked for. Furthermore, if you take a step back and look at it it seems more than a little patronizing to black people. Think about it. Saying someone is the "first so-and-so" to do something implies that the individual has some genetic or mental defect that makes them inferior to others, and that their accomplishment is so amazing that it should be written and talked about to death. Is the color of a person's skin fit into that category? It's almost as if the media is saying, "Here you go, black community. Have a cookie. Way to go. You are a-ok. You can do what white people can do."
User Reviews
Submitted by Scott_James (user info) at 2007-01-23 19:31:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Weren't the Pats winning by 21 to 3 at one point? That should be the story of the weekend.
That said there is no harm in pointing out that the glass roof no longer exists because of this. Let's just not go overboard.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2007-01-23 19:18:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
what's a black?
Submitted by kuroneko_sama (user info) at 2007-01-23 19:09:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
thats like saying larry bird was a good "white basketball player"
lets face it in a sport where there is a majority in color, it gets pointed out.
if you see a black guy playing in the nhl... its a "black hockey player"
see a white guy playing basketball... its a "white basket
if you see a black guy driving a nascar and hes a "black driver"
but baseball.... you see a black guy on the field and you ask a child what he sees and the reply is "baseball player" you put a white guy at bat and you get a "baseball player"
same for football
black or white they arent seen in color... just as athletes.
when we get "mixed up enough" we wont have black or white athletes....we will simply have athletes....
...eventually coaches will follow suit
and then the rest of the world
*insert american flag and inspirational music here*
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2007-01-23 14:47:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I disagree. Remember when Doug Williams was the first black QB to be in, and win, a Superbowl? Think about how many people realized then that a black man was intelligent enough to head an offense and not just be some fast dude in the slot or something. Although that was a much greater feat since they were different times, I think this is quite an important landmark for the game as well.
In short, I think they should be celebrated for being great coaches, who happen to be black.
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2007-01-23 14:39:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
buckeyes.
i don't know what that's supposed to mean.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2007-01-23 08:40:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It's sad that they can't both lose.
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2007-01-23 08:26:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by kitchens_closed (user info) at 2007-01-23 01:48:35 (#)
Ranking: -1
The thing I can't quite seem to understand is, you say you're sick of hearing the nonsense about black coaches--and you know 90% of the rest of us feel that way--yet you go and write a subpar post about an afterthought that 90% of us have had, and defeat the whole purpose of the article by mentioning the bullshit you don't want to hear "4,000 times in 5 minutes."
You basically reminded every single one of us the one thing none of us want to be reminded about over the next two weeks: two black coaches facing off in the superbowl for the first time.
The only thing worse that hearing the same thing over and over is hearing some one bitch about hearing the same thing over and over, when you're just contributing to the over and over-ness yourself.
Whew.
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Sorry Professor. I'll try better next time.
Submitted by rorrim (user info) at 2007-01-23 06:24:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2007-01-23 02:28:06 (#)
Ranking: 1
In the future, everyone will be brown.
Yep . we better get used to it ...
Submitted by hour_man (user info) at 2007-01-23 06:12:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2007-01-23 02:28:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
It's a stupid point, but then again so are most of the media organizations obsessed with the topic.
In the future, everyone will be brown.
Submitted by kitchens_closed (user info) at 2007-01-23 01:48:35 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
The thing I can't quite seem to understand is, you say you're sick of hearing the nonsense about black coaches--and you know 90% of the rest of us feel that way--yet you go and write a subpar post about an afterthought that 90% of us have had, and defeat the whole purpose of the article by mentioning the bullshit you don't want to hear "4,000 times in 5 minutes."
You basically reminded every single one of us the one thing none of us want to be reminded about over the next two weeks: two black coaches facing off in the superbowl for the first time.
The only thing worse that hearing the same thing over and over is hearing some one bitch about hearing the same thing over and over, when you're just contributing to the over and over-ness yourself.
Whew.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2007-01-23 01:39:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I agree.
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2007-01-23 01:04:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I disagree. I think the first time is always relevant.
Submitted by goferforhire (user info) at 2007-01-22 21:40:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yep
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-01-22 21:16:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by IntangibleHands (user info) at 2007-01-22 19:32:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Tell that to the NAACP or Miss Black America.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-01-22 18:39:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-01-22 17:50:37 (#)
Ranking: 2
Title. I totally skipped the post, and I have no intention of ever reading it.
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-01-22 17:50:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Title. I totally skipped the post, and I have no intention of ever reading it.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-01-22 16:39:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Confuzitron sighting. Aces.
Submitted by Confuzitron (user info) at 2007-01-22 16:18:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
As a Rams fan, my biggest regret (bigger than drafting Trung Canidate or Damione Lewis, bigger than the injury to Kurt Warner, bigger than losing Super Bowl 36) is that they did not fire Mike Martz one year earlier, and just simply promote Lovie Smith from defensive coordinator to head coach.
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2007-01-22 16:18:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Acarnis (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:57:06 (#)
Ranking: 1
Ahem.. both quarterbacks are from the SEC.
*cough* Would Troy have even gotten the Heisman had he played in the SEC? *cough*
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Neat-o.
The only way I could possibly care less is if I lived in Europe, only watched soccer, and spent all my time in a drunken stupor.
Submitted by Acarnis (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:57:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Ahem.. both quarterbacks are from the SEC.
*cough* Would Troy have even gotten the Heisman had he played in the SEC? *cough*
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:40:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yes.
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:40:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:42:27 (#)
Ranking: 2
I Agree 100%! I was thinking the exact same thing... And you'll know we'll be hearing about it because one of them will be the first black coach to WIN the superbowl. While I hate the bears, I think their coach is great. (My hatred is mostly directed at Urlacher...I don't know why, but I hate the guy so much I dislike the entire bears team.)
---------------------------------------------------
U RAT BASTARD IMO KEEL U
GO BEARS WOO!!!
GO URLACHER WOO!!!
SOMEONES JEALOUS
WINK WINK
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:37:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Amen brotha,
I'm already sick of hearin that shit. Last night after DA BEARS won some of the local news stations interviewed fans leavin Soldier Field, and 98% of the people they asked whether or not they think its a big deal that Lovie was the first black coath to go to da bowl said who cares, hes a great coach and both he and the city deserve it. WOO!!!
GO BEARS WOO!!!
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2007-01-22 15:25:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Lojope was raped.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2007-01-22 14:34:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Agreed.
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2007-01-22 14:17:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by richardcranium (user info) at 2007-01-22 14:10:18 (#)
Ranking: 2
Steve Nash is a floppy hair Canadian, and thus should not be commended for anything, ever.
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http://slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/vs_steve_nash2_200706_210.jpg
Submitted by richardcranium (user info) at 2007-01-22 14:10:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Steve Nash is a floppy hair Canadian, and thus should not be commended for anything, ever.
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2007-01-22 13:40:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
The "pussy" fifth paragraph is sarcasm mixed with reality. The apology and idea of apologizing is sarcasm. The reason for writing this is to combat the nonsense the media throws around.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2007-01-22 13:01:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
they should be congratulated for being so well spoken and taking care of their kids as well..;
Submitted by FunnyAsCancer (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:58:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Coulda gotten the +2, man, 'cept for that pussy 5th paragraph.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:57:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Because I know the race of the two coaches will be brought up no less than 4,197 times in a five minute segment and quite frankly, I just can't stand to hear it anymore.
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SPOT ON
the only good thing here, is that they won't be able to say it ever again.
Can you imagine what the media would do if there ever was a female head coach?
Submitted by mikethescottish (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:46:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I agreed. Won't go into it, but I agree.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:42:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I Agree 100%! I was thinking the exact same thing... And you'll know we'll be hearing about it because one of them will be the first black coach to WIN the superbowl. While I hate the bears, I think their coach is great. (My hatred is mostly directed at Urlacher...I don't know why, but I hate the guy so much I dislike the entire bears team.)
I admire Morgan Freeman's views on race issues: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10482634
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:37:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:34:37 (#)
Ranking: -2
What's this have to do with Ohio State fucking blowing goats(e)?
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I don't know. Maybe if Ohio State had a black coach they would have won...or at least, you know, competed.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:36:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The sad thing about all of this media noise is that it just proves how little that humanity as a collective while has advanced in the past seventy-five years.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:34:37 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
What's this have to do with Ohio State fucking blowing goats(e)?
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:32:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was two before I read it, and still a two afterwards.
I live in Chicago and the Bears win is exciting. The town was going nuts yeaterday and I imagine it will only grow between now and then.
However, a black woman already came up to me this morning and commented on it. She was more excited that the coaches were in the super bowl than the team. She made a point of working it into the conversation. It's too bad, in my opinion. It shouldn't be important that the coaches are black.
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:31:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Comfortably_Numb (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:28:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Whats it matter that the coaches are black? Most of the players are black. Having a black coach seems to be the "In" thing to do in the NFL. Pittsburgh just hired a black coach.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:21:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
yeah but you realize black history month is coming up and it will be pointed out by several black leaders that these guys have made it to the superbowl.
so it's a double standard sure, but it's held by all parties involved anyway.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:21:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It'll be news when we don't have to talk about stories like this anymore.
Submitted by Doogsterville (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:19:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:16:25 (#)
Ranking: 2
All I needed to read was the title.
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:17:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I hate sports but I agree with the sentiment and it applies to a lot more than just sports.
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2007-01-22 12:16:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
All I needed to read was the title.