Life Whitlock with a good article on the Riley Cooper situation - Page 6

Fat Elvis · 08-02-2013, 07:40 AM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/w...d-learn-080113

Quote:

We, the media, will blow this Riley Cooper teachable moment. It’s what we do when it comes to race. We look for good guys and bad guys, villains and heroes. We choose the politically correct path rather than the road to understanding.

Riley Cooper
RILEY'S RUNAWAY MOUTH

Riley Cooper, a receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, did and said something very, very stupid and disgusting. Drunk and partying in a sea of whiteness, Cooper apparently lashed out at a black security guard and threatened to "fight every n****r here".

A cellphone camera captured Cooper’s ignorance. It took a month, but the blogosphere unearthed the video and broadcast it to the world. The Eagles reacted responsibly, fining Cooper and forcing him to confront his mistake publicly with the media and privately with his teammates.

Watch what he said. Warning: Language is universally considered to be offensive . . .

I don’t expect the media to respond as responsibly. Too many of us will think the solution is for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Riley Cooper. Too many of us will think Riley Cooper in no way reflects on all of us.

Well, I’ve been young, drunk, filled with athletic testosterone and partying in a sea of blackness. I’m glad there were no cellphone cameras then. I’ve been middle-aged, drunk, filled with non-athletic cholesterol and partying in a sea of blackness. I’m glad no one recorded the foolish thoughts I’ve uttered when I assumed no one around me would be offended.

Maybe most of the people working in the media are perfect, immune to impure, biased thoughts or actions. I’m not. And no one I know is. What happens with age and maturity is we get better at combatting our biases and keeping them from spilling out of our mouths. When we intellectually evolve, we get better at seeing the stupidity of our biases and not letting them dictate our actions.

I’m extremely distrustful of anyone who claims they’re free of biases. They’re dishonest or delusional.

For the most part, Riley Cooper handled his apology flawlessly. He forthrightly expressed the proper remorse and humbly answered every question.

“This is the lowest of lows,” Cooper said. “This is not the type of person I want to be portrayed as. This isn’t the type of person I am. I’m extremely sorry.”

There’s no room for Cooper to be totally honest. The media — social and legitimate — won’t allow Cooper to be transparent. What was captured on tape is a reflection of what type of person Cooper is.

He’s flawed. He’s a product of America’s conflicted melting pot. That is not a knock on America. We have racial issues because we’re the most diverse nation on the planet. We have trouble working through those issues because dishonesty and simple-mindedness are rewarded.

Like all of us, Riley Cooper is biased. He needs to admit that to himself so he can adequately combat his biases and be a force for positive change.

I used to be proudly homophobic. I used the F-word regularly. In 1998, while sitting in the New England Patriots press box, I got in a back-and-forth exchange with Pats fans and cracked a “joke” that ended with me asking, “Drew Bledsoe gay?”

The ensuing controversy started the process of me recognizing and realizing the utter ignorance of my homophobia. I used to be offended when people analogized the struggle for gay equality with black people’s struggle for equality. I now get it and understand their struggle benefits our struggle and the overall fight for fairness.

I hope Cooper is allowed to evolve. I hope we don’t demonize him to the point that he becomes John Rocker II and more entrenched in bigotry. I hope Cooper confronts who he is. He didn’t threaten to fight every n****r because there’s no bigotry in his heart and mind. He did it because he has failed to deal with who he really is.

He’s in the same denial most of us are in. I’m talking about all of us — black, white, brown and yellow.

I want to make one other point before I finish. Cooper’s transgression isn’t much of a locker-room issue for the Eagles. There are bigots of every color on sports teams. The beauty of sports is that teams force participants to put aside their biases and work together. Working together is different from liking or respecting each other.

Cooper isn’t a coach or executive with the power to hire and fire people based on his racial biases. Cooper is a player. He’s a 25-year-old kid with immature thoughts. His teammates will move on as long as he plays at a high level.

Racial slurs fly on football fields somewhat regularly. It’s a violent game that brings out the worst in people. My junior season at Ball State, I played against a white Northern Illinois defensive tackle who N-bombed me most of the afternoon. I kept shouting at his mostly black defensive teammates about why they would tolerate such a flaming idiot. The next year, the same guy was the most courteous opponent I played against all season.

Let’s help Cooper evolve and mature. We might be surprised by the results.

**The Franchise** · 08-02-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

They already have White Entertainment television, its called CMT.

Marcellus · 08-02-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Yea I am aware there are black country artist. Had no idea Nelly was on there. There are white people on BET on occasion.

How about Speedvision?

9er guy · 08-02-2013, 02:58 PM

Here's how I feel about it:

Full disclosure: I'm black and a regionally well known hip-hop artist.

I don't care who says the word ****a.

I have black, white, mexican, and asian friends and we all say it to each other.

I think it's a beautiful thing when a white dude comes up to me and says, "Good show my ****a."

That's 100% percent love right there. And it speaks to the power of music that those barriers can be broken down. Especially when 40 years ago he would have said that word to me out of 100% hate.

I do think it's an unfortunate double standard that black people have created surrounding the word. I think it's unfair to take people's money and not allowing them to fully embrace the culture.

It's an old way of thinking now. Most black people don't really care as long as you come correct with it.

Give the black community some time. We're still figuring out this "True Equality" thing.

Remember, we've only really been a part of "True" American society for about 40 years. (give or take)

I always tell me black people that do disagree with me, "Martin Luther King didn't die so you could say ****a and white people couldn't. He died so we could be TRULY EQUAL.

I think in Riley Cooper's case it's just blatant, aggressive racism. I don't think Cooper's a racist. But I also don't think you can lay this at the black community's feet.

White people know what the score is. You guys have been using that word waaaaaaaay before black people took it and flipped it on it's ear.

So the "You guys say it" argument doesn't really work. I've never straight called someone a ****er out of anger because I was mad at them.

Forget the "a" or the "er" or whatever. It's about what's behind it to me.

We're talking about something positive vs something overtly and obviously negative.

I feel you guys on the hypocrisy angle. But Cooper knows what's up.

Even if he would been like "C'mon ****a, let me in" I have no problem with that whatsover.

But the way it was delivered bothers me. He's visibly angry, gritting his teeth and pointing. That's anger. Calling someone a ****er out of anger is the definition of racism and is wrong. And I think if we look at it objectively, we can all agree on that.

I also want to touch on the Blackpeoplemeet.com comment by maverick.

I also think it's a ****ing joke that it exists.

But I will say that all the Match.com and eharmony commercials you see are 98% white.

If you look at the testimonials, all the people are saying stuff like:

"I moved to a new city" "I'm tired of the bar scene" etc.

But the black guy says, "I wanna try something new."

That kind of got under my skin a little bit. It suggests that black men's interests in white women are purely sexual. I was wondering, "Why can't the black guy be in a new town or tired of the bar scene?"

So I think blackpeoplemeet.com (while I agree it's just a ****ing ploy for money from a certain group of people) I think it's important for us to be represented in other capacities other than the roles designated for us.

Thanks guys. One love.

blaise · 08-02-2013, 02:59 PM

Are you MC Hammer?

ModSocks · 08-02-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Yea I am aware there are black country artist. Had no idea Nelly was on there. There are white people on BET on occasion.

How about Speedvision?

Is speedvision called WHITE entertainment television?

Pretty sure Speedvision covers racing from all around the world, not just Nascar anyway.

Marcellus · 08-02-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Is speedvision called WHITE entertainment television?

Pretty sure Speedvision covers racing from all around the world, not just Nascar anyway.

Its a joke man.

And if you ever watched much Speedvision you would know what I mean.

They have a hilarious show called "Are You Faster Than A Redneck".

9er guy · 08-02-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Yea I am aware there are black country artist. Had no idea Nelly was on there. There are white people on BET on occasion.

How about Speedvision?

I have respect for Darius Rucker and Nelly.

Cowboy Troy is not an artist. He's a ****ing coon shucking and jiving so the country audience can be like, "Oh a black guy in a cowboy hat!"

Cowboy Troy can lick my balls.

Full disclosure: I'm a big country music fan. Nothing after 1996 though. I like the classics.

**The Franchise** · 08-02-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9er guy

I have respect for Darius Rucker and Nelly.

Cowboy Troy is not an artist. He's a ****ing coon shucking and jiving so the country audience can be like, "Oh a black guy in a cowboy hat!"

Cowboy Troy can lick my balls.

Full disclosure: I'm a big country music fan. Nothing after 1996 though. I like the classics.

Racist.

Marcellus · 08-02-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9er guy

I have respect for Darius Rucker and Nelly.

Cowboy Troy is not an artist. He's a ****ing coon shucking and jiving so the country audience can be like, "Oh a black guy in a cowboy hat!"

Cowboy Troy can lick my balls.

Full disclosure: I'm a big country music fan. Nothing after 1996 though. I like the classics.

Love me some Hootie/Rucker.

Current country is nothing more than pop-rock and yea Cowboy Troy seems to be a schtick to me.

vailpass · 08-02-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlota69

I love how Darren Sharper said he couldn't be on the team with the guy. Really? So, you mean to tell me he was on teams that never used derogatory language towards anyone?? Riiiighhhttt....

I love how high and mighty these people (in media and NFL) who are offended are. If you are offended by that kind of language from boys in the locker room, then you are in the wrong profession.

I also love how the Eagles are going to send him to 'pray the racist away" camp. Sensitivity training???

. So are they doing that for every player who says '****er" or 'Cracker" or "pillowbiter". Every player in the league would be 'Sensitivity training".

Those players need to realize they **** up and say stupid racist, bigoted shit too, just like he did, and to give him some slack.

You go girl. Spot on.

9er guy · 08-02-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Are you MC Hammer?

uh oh! uh oh! uh oh! uh oh!

9er guy · 08-02-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Racist.

Tombstone RJ · 08-02-2013, 03:16 PM

I bet Cowboy Troy gets more pussy than a toilet seat. Full disclosure here--I can't stand country music. But damn, those guys get boat loads of tail.

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-02-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Current country is nothing more than pop-rock.

The music may be "Pop Rock" but the lyrical content is definitely aimed at "country" audiences.

Titty Meat · 08-02-2013, 03:19 PM

Country music is awful. If I was at a country music concert I'd be angry too.

08-02-2013, 02:58 PM	#78
9er guy Jackmerius Tacktheritrix Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: ATX Casino cash: $10005834	Here's how I feel about it: Full disclosure: I'm black and a regionally well known hip-hop artist. I don't care who says the word **a. I have black, white, mexican, and asian friends and we all say it to each other. I think it's a beautiful thing when a white dude comes up to me and says, "Good show my a." That's 100% percent love right there. And it speaks to the power of music that those barriers can be broken down. Especially when 40 years ago he would have said that word to me out of 100% hate. I do think it's an unfortunate double standard that black people have created surrounding the word. I think it's unfair to take people's money and not allowing them to fully embrace the culture. It's an old way of thinking now. Most black people don't really care as long as you come correct with it. Give the black community some time. We're still figuring out this "True Equality" thing. Remember, we've only really been a part of "True" American society for about 40 years. (give or take) I always tell me black people that do disagree with me, "Martin Luther King didn't die so you could say a and white people couldn't. He died so we could be TRULY EQUAL. I think in Riley Cooper's case it's just blatant, aggressive racism. I don't think Cooper's a racist. But I also don't think you can lay this at the black community's feet. White people know what the score is. You guys have been using that word waaaaaaaay before black people took it and flipped it on it's ear. So the "You guys say it" argument doesn't really work. I've never straight called someone a er out of anger because I was mad at them. Forget the "a" or the "er" or whatever. It's about what's behind it to me. We're talking about something positive vs something overtly and obviously negative. I feel you guys on the hypocrisy angle. But Cooper knows what's up. Even if he would been like "C'mon a, let me in" I have no problem with that whatsover. But the way it was delivered bothers me. He's visibly angry, gritting his teeth and pointing. That's anger. Calling someone a er out of anger is the definition of racism and is wrong. And I think if we look at it objectively, we can all agree on that. I also want to touch on the Blackpeoplemeet.com comment by maverick. I also think it's a ing joke that it exists. But I will say that all the Match.com and eharmony commercials you see are 98% white. If you look at the testimonials, all the people are saying stuff like: "I moved to a new city" "I'm tired of the bar scene" etc. But the black guy says, "I wanna try something new." That kind of got under my skin a little bit. It suggests that black men's interests in white women are purely sexual. I was wondering, "Why can't the black guy be in a new town or tired of the bar scene?" So I think blackpeoplemeet.com (while I agree it's just a **ing ploy for money from a certain group of people) I think it's important for us to be represented in other capacities other than the roles designated for us. Thanks guys. One love.
Posts: 905

08-02-2013, 02:59 PM	#79
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	Are you MC Hammer?
Posts: 22,188

08-02-2013, 03:16 PM	#88
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	I bet Cowboy Troy gets more pussy than a toilet seat. Full disclosure here--I can't stand country music. But damn, those guys get boat loads of tail. __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

08-02-2013, 03:19 PM	#90
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2317558	Country music is awful. If I was at a country music concert I'd be angry too.
Posts: 75,046