I Cram To Understand – Bomani Jones

January 23, 2007

Business…here’s why I don’t think having two black coaches in the Super Bowl is a big deal. And consider this–if the big deal is that these cats have overcome racism to reach the pinnacle, then I’d rather spend more time taking the racists to task than making heroes of the coaches. Seems that fixing the racists of of more importance.
SSP–doing Tuesday Night James with Eric Eggers tonight ’round 6:30 ET. Should be a blast. Also, look for me Thursday morning with Joe Ovies and Morgan Patrick around 7:30am ET on the Morning Mojo on 620 The Bull. Also should be a blast.
So I’m finding that I’ll be watching “I Love New York” all season. Me and my girlfriend told ourselves that the show would be too much…but we just keep tuning in. Here’s my question, though–are there some people out here with some crushes on New York on the low? If so, what the hell is on your mind? Really, what is there to love about a drama queen with a crazy mama that’s only with you because she’s trying to get over Flavor Friggin’ Flav???
That’s the part that escapes me. I know most of them cats just wanna be on TV, but I know a couple of y’all wish y’all were on the show.
Help me out. I need to understand this.

Comments


lady B

September 21, 4398, 9:35 pm

the part i don't understand is why the coaches are being described as "classy" and "christian family men" - which is great and all... but were they any other coaches, the focus would be on their skills as coaches (i.e. defense masters - DA BEARS!!), their relationship as mentor / mentee, etc. all i'm asking is if we could please stick to the topic - FOOTBALL!!! and for the record, HELL NO the NFL has not "overcome racism"...

ETS

September 21, 4399, 9:35 pm

Painting them as if they "defeated" racism seems like there is something supernatural about them instead of addressing a corrupt system. It also gives youth the message that if they work hard they can overcome a system that is against them. The message is just flawed coming ang going. Pootie cracks me up. He's really sad. I predict he'll have his own show next. Did you see that Monique is doing a show where she teaches past FOL loser etiquette?! WTF?! And I DO believe that some men out there are really feeling New York ... they tend to be men who think she's a man dressed as a woman.

Farmdog

September 21, 4400, 9:35 pm

it's nice that the NFL wants to pat itself on the back, hey it's 2007...after all, pro football's only been around for about 100 years...anyway, that's not really my rant, but i do want to address the notion that African American coaches are held to a higher standard than their white counterparts, and how that mirrors society in general...while i understand how it artificially limits opportunities, it is also the standard that should be applied equally to all races...for years, people have argued about how "equal opportunity" hiring practices would reward mediocrity...obviously, in the case of professional football, mediocrity was the standard, and it has been the african american coach who has elevated the quality of coaching...

Max

September 21, 4401, 9:35 pm

What I find interesting is that you're missing what something like this represents to a larger society. This is a light. It is a means through which a wider public community can come to see the inequities inherrent in our society. The racial divide is not obvious to most people. People tend to live in fairly isolated communities. At the very least this will certainly reflect upon the atrocious state of hiring practices of college football.

Rex

September 21, 4402, 9:35 pm

Here's another racial tendency of the NFL: Norm Chow couldn't get an NFL (or college) head coaching job as the most celebrated assistant coach of college football a couple of years ago (at USC), so he goes to the Titans as offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, two white assistant coaches at USC this year get NFL head coaching offers. Looks like the NFL isn't ready for a Chinese head coach either. And just look at the season that Chow and Vince Young had together this season.