Jackson Free Press

Of all people to bring race into an issue, Bryant Gumbel has sparked controversy with his attack on the Olympic Winter Games saying... "Count me among those who don't like them and won't watch them ... Because they're so trying, maybe over the next three weeks we should all try too...So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world's greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention...So if only to hasten the arrival of the day they're done, when we can move on to March Madness — for God's sake, let the games begin." ----- http://newsbusters.org/node/4057

Previous Commentsshow

I was going to let this story go, but over the past few days it has really built up some momentum. Am I wrong on this, or did Gumbel make too blanket a statement? Regardless, the forums are loving it.

c a webb

Feb 22 2006

Man, I read the comments posted under that article, and it reminds me of how differently our minds function in different parts of society. I feel like I've been to Venus and back, and I got airsick on the trip. :puke: Anyway, Bryant Gumbel's comments were unnecessary. I hope he didn't think that would win him brownie points in the black community. He should have just complimented the blacks who are participating and left it alone. Open mouth. Insert foot.

LatashaWillis

Feb 22 2006

CA, please show me how his comments were racist or the race card was being played. I don't get it. I heard the comments when he made them. I was stunned but didn't necessarily see racism. Clearly he prefers track, basket ball or summer Olympics. It a fact that more blacks are involved in the Summer Olympics. I was more hurt that he dissed the Winter Olympians than anything he said about race. All of our atheletes should be supported and praised alike irrespective of race, summer or winter. Maybe this is where the race factor comes in. Maybe I just answered my own question.

Ray Carter

Feb 22 2006

Maybe I just answered my own question. Thanks for giving me my laugh for the morning!

LatashaWillis

Feb 22 2006

Would it be racist if someone said the NBA players are not true athletes because there are comparatively few whites? Bryant was way out of bounds on this. And not just because of the meaning of the comment. Face it, is there a whiter black guy than Bryant Gumbel? (Not counting Jacko of course.)

Rex

Feb 22 2006

Byant was wrong I bet he didn't realize the racial implications. Bryant is not racist. He has no discernible problem with white people. Ask his black x-wife about that. Lots of people question whether the winter olympians are as great atheltes as the summer ones. This was questioned before the black atheltes became so prominent in summer olympic sports. However, I happen to know that you couldn't pull a gun and get most of the summer atheletes to jump off a mountain or hill with ice skates or whatever they're called. Theyr'e too chicken.

Ray Carter

Feb 22 2006

I'm not really crazy about comments about "pulling the race card." Some people can and will pull it to further their own agenda or just because they are whiners, but . . . all too often the person making the accusation of race-card pulling has his/her own race card up their sleeve. In other words, the comment is made because of their own bigot-laden agenda and a desire to minimize prejudice when it's pointed out. How about telling me if I'm pulling the race card if I call the figurines in these pictures racially charged?

C.W.

Feb 22 2006

. . . all too often the person making the accusation of race-card pulling has his/her own race card up their sleeve. In other words, the comment is made because of their own bigot-laden agenda and a desire to minimize prejudice when it's pointed out. Read the comments posted under the Newsbusters article, and that's exactly what you'll see. How about telling me if I'm pulling the race card if I call the figurines in these pictures racially charged? Aw, c'mon, lighten up. Those are just Americana collectibles. YEAH RIGHT! I started a thread on racist cartoons last year. Go here to read it.

LatashaWillis

Feb 22 2006