ESPN is at rock bottom...

[Azrael]

As for my friends (a few more who are African-American have read the posts), they have found the conversation along here interesting. One pointed out that it's amazing how clueless some non African-Americans are and how gullable they are to believing stereotypes.

I'm sure this all absolutely true.

 

[Mark2010]

Had never heard of Rob Parker before today. I guess if you want to be well known, say or do something outrageous.

 

[nmmetsfan]

ESPN may be at rock bottom, but it drug SJ down with it

 

[LongTimeListener]

Is the answer "Because he's an idiot"?

I said "stupid" on the other thread, but Drip assures us that is not the case. However, we have yet to hear or read anything from Rob Parker that qualifies in any category other than stupid/idiotic.

 

[Azrael]

If Rob Parker's not talking about authenticity, what he's talking about? I'm interested what people think, especially Drip and his friend offscreen.

Who decides whether RG3 meets authenticity standards (besides Harvard)?

Are there televised meetings?

Snarky, but not answering what I asked.

If you don't want to engage in the question at hand, don't. But I think it's rude to sit there and crap on anyone trying to be intentional about it.

I want to engage. I think it is forking ridiculous in 2012 to question whether a black guy has a white wife.

Is that non-snarky enough for you?

Of course it is.

So why did Rob Parker - himself African-American - question RGIII's standing as an authentic black man by ever mentioning it?

Because ESPN pays him to bark like a Hawaiian Monk Seal - knowing that there is a very small percentage of viewers - like you and the symposium at Harvard, who will rub their chins, and go "Hmmmmm.... Maybe he's got something there.."

Yes. I'm sure that's it.

 

[Beaker]

Richard Deitsch on Twitter:

ESPN PR on Rob Parker's comments today on First Take: "The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps."

 

[Azrael]

Punishments?

 

[Drip]

If Rob Parker's not talking about authenticity, what he's talking about? I'm interested what people think, especially Drip and his friend offscreen.

Alma, only Rob can speak about what he said. As for my friends (a few more who are African-American have read the posts), they have found the conversation along here interesting. One pointed out that it's amazing how clueless some non African-Americans are and how gullable they are to believing stereotypes.

That's a safe answer for you and for your friends, quite frankly, a copout answer. Sorry, but we engage in reading comprehension all the time as adults and, additionally, we're smart enough to know that most people, once they say something controversial or unfortunate, will suggest they meant something else entirely, when, in fact, they probably didn't.

It's easy to sit there and say "clueless" and "gullible." Deadspin does that all day, then suggests the old "fork all this shirt" solution to thinking and being, which, of course absolves them of any real responsibility for a position. But it's not so easy to sit there and actually provide a thoughtful, intricate answer and deal with the consequences of what might be incorrect.

Alma, there's nothing intricate about what Rob Parker said. It was a stupid statement.

 

[poindexter]

Yes. I'm sure that's it.

Thank you.

 

[btm]

Richard Deitsch on Twitter:

ESPN PR on Rob Parker's comments today on First Take: "The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps."

Don't the "next steps" usually involve very little and nothing much?

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

I had a cornball brother at the last county fair I attended.

 

[Azrael]

Richard Deitsch on Twitter:

ESPN PR on Rob Parker's comments today on First Take: "The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps."

Don't the "next steps" usually involve very little and nothing much?

Depends. Sometimes the next step is a suspension or firing.