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Originally posted by sharpe1027
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Sure stereotypes exist. Jordy says being White has helped him excel on the field. A-Rod has commented upon it as well. Jennings says in effect that Jordy plays like a naturally higher-skilled Black player ("A lot of it has to do with the fact that guys look at him say, "Okay, yeah, he's the white guy, he can't be that good." Well, he is that good. It's easy for someone to say, "Oh yeah, he's like one of those other white receivers.' 'He's not. I'm sorry. He's not").
You say the stereotype is wrong "in this case" so does that mean you think that the stereotype that Blacks are more skilled as players is generally true? If so, a lot of people would agree with you. And, apparently, it's okay for us to talk about that on radio, television, and in print without any critical analysis. The journalists are just stenographers reporting what others are saying.
My take is, I see a double standard and I will call it out.
Yes, stereotypes exist, but should they exist, especially ones about race? Jordy being fast for a White guy is kind of lighthearted piece. But what about negative racial stereotypes? Should these be highlighted in the media without being challenged?
Fact: 25% of Black males are in prison, awaiting trial, or on parole. So if I need a new accountant or manager for my up-scale restaurant, would I be correct to not even consider an application from a Black? Should I look at the applicant as an individual or categorize him according to a generally accepted stereotype?
Same thing if I am a bank loan officer or head-hunter for a major company. This type of thinking has real-world implications. In this circumstance with Jennings' comments about Jordy Nelson, we laugh it off. But in another circumstance, if I applied Jennings' words and reasoning then I could be found guilty of a crime and might face fines and the loss of my job.
I don't want the PC-crowd to tell me what to think or feel, but they do anyway, don't they? "Gender Studies, Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, Queer Studies" exist as majors at universities for what reason? To help the rest of us to get our minds right, correct?
Well, I hope that when Jordy runs a post that he burns every Black DB that tries to cover him. I hope he becomes the fastest receiver in the NFL and sets a TD record. He is breaking a racial stereotype held by a lot of folks. But, at the same time, his success doesn't alter the question about if that stereotype based upon race should even exist in the first place?
If it's okay in Sports to operate that way then in what other areas of society can the same standards be applied? If that is “going off the deep end” then I guess I swim in the deep end of the pool.
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