TGR: TV Announcer Speechless as Gabby Takes the Gold: "Cat gotcha tongue?"
By Doni Morton Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(WASHINGTON - August 3, 2012) - I was trying to give it a pass. I said to myself, “No, these people can’t be this ignorant.” I had overlooked the 'flying squirrel' thingy. I had overlooked the incredible empathy for Jordan. However, some people have a way of being ignorant and seemingly not even know it. In fact, what I witnessed last night during NBC’s Olympic coverage was totally disrespectful to America and to black people.
In short, Gabrielle Douglas – in my best estimation – was slighted by the one NBC announcer. After she won the gold, this guy was quieter than a mouse pissing on cotton.
Sadly, the whole world observed as the young African American girl – one of whom received a smidgeon of the accolades compared to her white counterparts – sprang into history.
And as for the “flying squirrel” comment, whether she likes it or not – “they” should have known better. It’s not as if race relations are the best in this country – especially in light of the Sanford, Florida demonstration by some white folks who have gone overboard at protecting the killer of Trayvon Martin.
And while many people want to ignore this example of structural racism – of the overt species, the fact is black people were smacked in the face with racism last night in front of the entire world. These people (racists) have no shame and they have no respect.
These are the ones who say America is the greatest nation on earth – yet they turn around and treat people according to the color of their skin. We see these hypocrites and cringe – before we put pen to pad and tell the whole world that we see the enemy – and even though he is well-dressed, he is still the enemy. Even though his diction is perfect, we see his heart is stained with self-hate.
In any event, congrats to the first African American woman gold medalist in the history of the Olympics: Ms. Gabrielle Douglass. God bless and keep you.
Even more, remember Jesse Owens, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Cassius Clay – US Olympians who used their platforms as Olympic celebs to bring attention to racists’ dirty little secret.
Sean Tully
2:47 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Doni,
Point 1: I have wracked my brain but I just can't find any reference in history to black people being called " squirrels" as a derogatory term. Maybe you can enlighten me on that one.
Point 2: So far, from the evidence I've heard, Trayvon Martin was not killed because of his race. Perhaps you can enlighten me on that one too. I am not saying the killing was justified at all, but I don't think Zimmerman acted based on the race of Martin. He didn't even know his race when he called 911.
Point 3: You state, "Sadly, the whole world observed as the young African American girl – one of whom received a smidgeon of the accolades compared to her white counterparts – sprang into history." Maybe you are basing that statement on a limited view of cable TV or something. Did you watch the nightly news? Read the papers? Here is a NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/gabby-douglas-gold-medal-gymnast-rockets-to-stardom.html?pagewanted=all
Piont 4: You state, "...congrats to the first African American woman gold medalist in the history of the Olympics.". Someone should tell Alice Coachman to return the Gold she won in '48.
Dave
11:26 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
Damn Sean. I also thought something wasn't quite right with this editorial. The flying squirrel comment aside, I think you provided the writer with the opportunity to look a little deeper into out history before writing any future opinion pieces.
Dave
11:45 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
Doni,
Since Sean got me thinking, how about Dominique Dawes. I guess she needs to return her gold as well. At this point I have to say, seriously... do your research. Dawes is from Silver Spring, MD and won gold as a member of the "Magnificent Seven" in check this, 1996. Granted that was a team gold, but gold none the less.
Sean Tully
9:58 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
If there is anything afoot concerning Douglas and racism, I'd say it is this thing about her hair. I'm not entirely sure what the problem is as I don't really follow the Olympics and I surely don't follow Twitter or news about Twitter, but from what little I've read, I think the entire thing smacks of racism to one degree or another.