Great commentary piece from a writer in Akron....
Commentary: Dismissed from ESPN, Hugh Douglas doesn’t deserve benefit of doubt</SPAN></SPAN>
By George M. Thomas</SPAN></SPAN>
Akron Beacon Journal (MCT)</SPAN></SPAN>
Hugh Douglas is no better than Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper when it comes to racial sensitivity.</SPAN></SPAN>
A former member of the Eagles himself, Douglas just lost his gig with the ESPN show “Numbers Don’t Lie,” which he appeared on with journalists Michael Smith and Jemele Hill.</SPAN></SPAN>
Why?</SPAN></SPAN>
As heinous as Cooper’s use of the N-word was, Douglas went just as low recently when he allegedly dropped the terms “Uncle Tom” and “house N-word,” two more linguistic legacies of slavery, on Smith during the National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention in Orlando, Fla. Most notably it came on the night that the organization’s sports journalists honored their scholarship winner, marring a party that had never had any sort of controversy associated with it.</SPAN></SPAN>
According to a source, who was in Orlando, the incident with Smith served as the climax of several days of alleged boorish behavior by Douglas that included excessive drinking and a lack of professionalism. The source is not permitted by his organization to speak publicly due to the sensitivity of the matter.</SPAN></SPAN>
Unlike Cooper, there is no damning video and ESPN treaded lightly before telling Sports Illustrated on Monday that they booted Douglas from their airwaves. Obviously they found something they didn’t like or Douglas would have been hit with a suspension, all would have been forgotten and once football season began he would be dishing out his words of wisdom again.</SPAN></SPAN>
He won’t get that opportunity.</SPAN></SPAN>
Good. Good riddance.</SPAN></SPAN>
He allegedly displayed a side of African-American culture that few outside of the community rarely see.</SPAN></SPAN>
Uncle Tom. Zebra. Oreo.</SPAN></SPAN>
They’re all insulting, and from one black person to another, they represent the ultimate slur. It means you’ve sold out. You don’t know what it means to be black. You’re not one of us.</SPAN></SPAN>
Harsh words.</SPAN></SPAN>
Being black comes with this certain inherent paradox. We’re sold this vision of the American dream that says get an education, work hard and you will reap the benefits of this country - that house in the suburbs and, hopefully, the material things you want and comfort in your retirement.</SPAN></SPAN>
Although I’ve worked harder to enjoy those privileges (another topic for another day) than most, I am proof that it can happen, growing and evolving from the 9-year-old who had to learn to turn utilities on so that my family could stay warm to a father of two sons who has a chance to send them both through college.</SPAN></SPAN>
I succeeded despite living with a drug-dealing stepfather who didn’t offer financial assistance to my mother, who loved him despite what he was, even though he often fell asleep with a wad of $100 bills in his hand with Benjamin Franklin staring at us all mockingly saying: “None for you.”</SPAN></SPAN>
My grandparents, mother, a host of uncles ingrained in me that college was the only way to ensure that I didn’t end up just like him.</SPAN></SPAN>
They never warned me about the peculiarity of some African-Americans when you strive to do better. My first inkling of it came when my high school’s star basketball player spit in my face. My crime: good grades, proper English and hanging out with people with common interests.</SPAN></SPAN>
That’s why I have no love for the Hugh Douglases of the world. Who are they to label me and others who want nothing more than to live the prosperous life that we’ve earned? There are certain rules anyone has to live by to achieve those things - black, white, purple or green. That’s the deal.</SPAN></SPAN>
Michael Smith, who has been with ESPN since 2004, according to his biography, certainly has earned the right to be respected, considering the way he climbed his way up based on his abilities as an NFL writer.</SPAN></SPAN>
“I am very disappointed to be leaving ESPN and will have more to say about this situation and my future at the appropriate time,” Douglas tweeted Tuesday.</SPAN></SPAN>
I bet he is. Notice that no apology comes with that. The best thing that can be said about this situation right now is that he isn’t a hypocrite.</SPAN></SPAN>
Beyond that, he doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.</SPAN>
