In this space two weeks ago, I discussed the racial double standard that exists in our society against white people.
In my column, I used the Wayans Brothers’ new movie, “White Chicks,” as the latest example of how society makes it okay to make fun of white people while whites are expected to walk a tightrope of political correctness in regards to commenting on minorities.
Earlier this week, an incident took place on national television that further solidified my stance that this double standard most certainly exists, specifically in the media.
On ABC’s “NBA Hangtime” this past Sunday, director Spike Lee brazenly stated his belief that Larry Bird is the most overrated basketball player of all time.
He charged that Bird, a three-time NBA Champion and three-time league MVP, got the attention he did because he was a white guy, a novelty, playing ball in a sport dominated by black guys.
According to Lee, as the so-called “white media” adored Bird for his work ethic and his dedication, they made it seem as though black superstars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn’t have to work to be great — they were able to just roll out of bed and be excellent basketball players.
“Listen to the white media and it is like nobody has ever played basketball before Larry Bird,” Lee said. “[It’s like] no black person ever played the game.”
This segment with Lee was a taped segment, which means ABC knew what Lee was going to say and wanted the comments to air.
Today is Wednesday, and I have yet to hear any sort of outcry over Lee’s race-driven remarks.
I have yet to hear anything resembling an apology from ABC, ESPN or Spike Lee.
And I don’t expect to, because all that happened was that a black man, Spike Lee, made derogatory, racially driven comments about a white man, Larry Bird.
And apparently, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Think back to last October when Rush Limbaugh, who was an ABC/ESPN employee at the time, made his infamous comments claiming Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated.
“I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL,” Limbaugh said. “The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.”
The “white media” and the black community crucified Limbaugh for these so-called “racist” comments.
People like Al Sharpton and other organizations called for Limbaugh’s head on a stick, and ESPN accepted Limbaugh’s resignation because of the incident.
All this controversy circulated because Limbaugh is a white man who acknowledged two obvious facts about Donovan McNabb: Donovan McNabb is black, and he wasn’t playing well at the time.
Apparently, a white man can’t criticize a black man without the label of racist, at least by the media.
But a black man can say whatever he wants about a white man, no matter how racial the comments may be in nature, and the media will give him a pass.
This shows there is no such thing as a brave and heroic media. Individual journalists are brave and brilliant, but the collective media are nothing but a litter of scared little puppies.
And the media’s greatest fear is being labeled politically insensitive or racist. Just ask ABC and ESPN.
However, you won’t find fear in this column, ladies and gentlemen. And because of my unwavering courage, I’m going to say something no one in the media has the guts to say: Spike Lee’s comments about Larry Bird were out of line and came closer to racism than Rush Limbaugh’s comments regarding Donovan F. McNabb.
There. I said it, and I defy you to find that statement anywhere else in any other news, sports or entertainment medium.
You can agree or disagree with Spike Lee or Rush Limbaugh, but the fact remains that the “white media” gave Spike a walk on his comments while the same “white media” crucified Rush for his comments.
If you disagree, then give me a well thought-out argument, but don’t tell me I’m wrong just because I’m white.