Michael Jordan considered himself a racist

[Sportsguy9695]

Michael Jordan's struggles with racism as a child were among the topics touched on in a biography released Tuesday.

In the book, titled "Michael Jordan: The Life," author Roland Lazenby described how Jordan grew up in the 1970s in North Carolina -- where Jordan said the Ku Klux Klan was dominant and that that atmosphere shaped his views on race.

Those views were strengthened after he watched the miniseries "Roots" and learned about the suffering of his African-American ancestors.

The tipping point, Lazenby wrote, came in 1977, when a girl at his school called him the N-word.

"So I threw a soda at her," Jordan said in a 1992 interview with Playboy magazine, the details of which were written about in Lazenby's book. "I was really rebelling. I considered myself a racist at the time. Basically, I was against all white people."

Source: ESPN

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I don't blame him. It was different back then though.

Things have changed dramatically. Nowadays white people are almost considered the minority. You call a black person a "N-word" and you're a racist, yet they can call you anything they want. They're allowed to have "Black music awards", "Black TV channels" but whites are again racist if they have "White music awards".

There's still a huge gap in racism that needs tackling. It works both ways. I don't condone racism in any shape, way or form.

For instance, the NBA was right to boot Sterling out for his comments. He deserved everything he got! But nobody took notice of what Larry Johnson said. Not even a slap on the wrist!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Jordan could do what he wants. If he were to throw a soda at me I would say thank you sir & ask him for an autograph.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Hhhmm! interesting, a 1992 interview with Playboy magazine.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Hhhmm! interesting, a 1992 interview with Playboy magazine.

I just to read them for the "articles"

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

I just to read them for the "articles"

Me too.. <cough cough> ... yeah, um, me too. And for the scratch-n-sniff cologne samplers (lol, does anyone here remember those?)

Like Shaqdaddy said, it was a completely different time then, especially where he grew up. Misgivings and fear on both sides were probably on the backburner, but when they flared up (like in the incident mentioned) they had a deep and hurtful impact. A lasting one. We, as a nation, didn't live in the perpetually cynical way we do now, so when an incident like this happened, it was game-changing.. life-changing.. as far as perspective went.

And MJ certainly can't be faulted for thinking the way he did when he was young. It's only natural. Anyone here (no matter their race) would likely have developed (for a time) the way he did if in his shoes. It was a part of his life and, for the sake of that interview, he was open about it. It's not like today (in the internet age) where someone would take a piece of an interview like that and it's practically front page news. He was honest and forthright, and I can't fault him for that, considering his skyrocketing popularity at the time.

This doesn't change what I think of him one iota. (I almost laugh at the notion that I should have to say that, but I'll throw that qualifier out there anyway.) I'd definitely feel comfortable having a drink with him.. or two. Would I go to the high-dollar betting tables at a casino with him? Oh hell no! lol But given what he had to experience at a tender age, he developed into quite an even-keeled man, and isn't that what we hope for every young man out there? Not perfect. Who is? But someone you can have a meeting of the minds with and feel the better for it.

 

[bksballer89]

I don't blame him. It was different back then though.

Things have changed dramatically. Nowadays white people are almost considered the minority. You call a black person a "N-word" and you're a racist, yet they can call you anything they want. They're allowed to have "Black music awards", "Black TV channels" but whites are again racist if they have "White music awards".

There's still a huge gap in racism that needs tackling. It works both ways. I don't condone racism in any shape, way or form.

For instance, the NBA was right to boot Sterling out for his comments. He deserved everything he got! But nobody took notice of what Larry Johnson said. Not even a slap on the wrist!

As for the n word, if you use it the way riley Cooper did then yes I would look at it as racist but if you use it in the terms black people use it, I don't consider you racist. Just because it's called the bet awards doesn't mean white cannot watch or participate in it. Eminem who is a white artist has performed at the bet awards multiple times so shut the fuck up about that. If bet was racist, why would they invite a white artist to perform. BET is basically MTV. Bet shows black tv shows which may include whites while mtv show white tv shows which may include blacks

 

[bksballer89]

And can we stop trying to compare Larry Johnson to sterling? Yes he said blacks should focus on a all black league which was stupid of him but not once did he shit on whites as sterling with blacks and he also didn't call whites filthy/dirty.

 

[Trudem]

As for the n word, if you use it the way riley Cooper did then yes I would look at it as racist but if you use it in the terms black people use it, I don't consider you racist. Just because it's called the bet awards doesn't mean white cannot watch or participate in it. Eminem who is a white artist has performed at the bet awards multiple times so shut the fuck up about that. If bet was racist, why would they invite a white artist to perform. BET is basically MTV. Bet shows black tv shows which may include whites while mtv show white tv shows which may include blacks

MTV = Music Television

BET = Black Entertainment Television

not the same...

With that said, every group can have things that they intentify themselves with. Its when they exclude people that it gets dangerous

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

And can we stop trying to compare Larry Johnson to sterling? Yes he said blacks should focus on a all black league which was stupid of him but not once did he shit on whites as sterling with blacks and he also didn't call whites filthy/dirty.

"They smell and attract rodents"



That was an eye-opener for me. Even if there was a tenant or two who actually was a bad tenant (just for the sake being the devil's advocate) you, as a landlord, CANNOT allow yourself to get into the sweeping-indictment frame-of-mind.

That whole situation.. (and why the hell did he need to buy a complex anyway? Clippers weren't feeding the gravy train enough for him?).. once I read up on that it truly sickened and disgusted me. Being a renter for all of my life, if I was made to feel like those tenants based simply on my looks, I would want to KILL.

 

[trojanfan12]

Jordan could do what he wants. If he were to throw a soda at me I would say thank you sir & ask him for an autograph.

I'd have that thing up for sale on e-bay!!

 

[bksballer89]

MTV = Music Television

BET = Black Entertainment Television

not the same...

With that said, every group can have things that they intentify themselves with. Its when they exclude people that it gets dangerous

I get what you're saying but if BET was truly racist, why would they have whites on their network? Why have whites perform at your awards shows?

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

I get what you're saying but if BET was truly racist, why would they have whites on their network? Why have whites perform at your awards shows?

I don't watch the network but, at some point in the game, someone must've taken someone else aside and said "hey, just to let you know, this station is going to look really really bad if we don't start including some non-African American people in some of our presentations". Just a guess.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I'd have that thing up for sale on e-bay!!

 

[TENN.SPORTS.FAN]

Do you think those feelings ever go away?

"Once a racist always a racist." is tossed around often.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

What is country music awards, isn't that WHITE music awards??

 

[MarkOU]

What is country music awards, isn't that WHITE music awards??

Darius Rucker is white

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

What is country music awards, isn't that WHITE music awards??

I understand what you're driving at, but they aren't listed as "White Entertainment Awards".

 

[ThruTheEyesOfRuby]

Darius Rucker is white

Dare I sing "I onnnlly wannnt to be like yoooouuuuuu"?

Ok, maybe that's cutting it a little close. Trying to inject a little humor. You all know.. humor?

 

[Trudem]

I understand what you're driving at, but they aren't listed as "White Entertainment Awards".

This is my point...racism is tired and played out.

The funny thing though is some people dont realize it goes both ways and when they are forced to see it they say because they face it its ok. None of it is ok...I dont care about your color but if you are an idiot I will call you an idiot