You can bet that it would be a national outrage today if a white player made that comment about a black player. But black ESPN commentator tried to explain it away like this, and I paraphrase...
"Young blacks use that word everyday in the urban environment. It would be a big deal if Kaminsky, who is white, had made that comment about Harrison, who is black, and would have been taken in a whole different context. While Harrison was wrong and was being a sore loser, the use of the N-word in this situation is in a totally different context than if Kaminsky had used the word, so it is not a big deal. It is a word used commonly today by young blacks in the urban environment and has to been seen it that light. And that's the truth."
I think I am very sympathetic to the plights of blacks on many issues. But I don't get excusing the use of that word in the black culture because it is commonly used by young blacks in a different context. Frank Kaminsky would be harrassed and labeled for life if he had made the comment. And Harrison gets a free pass because he's black?? If blacks are so offended by the use of the word by whites, then they should stop using it themselves. I don't use the word and haven't said it in a long, long time because I do believe it is offensive and degrading to blacks. But I sure as hell don't want to hear that it's OK for blacks to use because it is a part of their culture.
This post was edited on 4/5 6:39 PM by Bogey Man
