Last week, we bought you the puzzling story of one Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, and his softshoe treatment of the comments of his Golf Channel "friend". I noted that because Woods is "Cablinasian" (his words, not mine), it's somewhat understandable that he wouldn't be completely offended by a "friend" who suggests that his fellow golfers "lynch him in a back alley". I mean, dude is like 18 different ethnicities, and he can't always be offended. Maybe 1/4th offended, but not totally offended enough to get up in that broad's grill an Channel His Inner Nigga.
When Tiger actually turned the tables and supported Kelly Tilghman, it was predictable (he's been called worse), but still disappointing. As the old idiom goes, if you don't stand up for something, you'll fall for anything.
Note To Tiger Woods: It's Time To Stand The F*ck Up!!!
The editor who put a noose on Golfweek magazine’s cover was cut loose Friday by its publisher. The noose, which ran on the cover of the Jan. 19 issue of the magazine, attempted to depict a Golf Channel anchor’s use of the word “lynch” in a comment about Tiger Woods.Seriously, at what point does some of how Tiger's treated offend that long suppressed 1/4th of him that's black? How can he show his face at his paternal family reunion after he fails to take up for himself time after time?
Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman was suspended for two weeks because of comments she made during the second round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship that suggested young players trying to compete with Woods on the PGA Tour should “lynch him in a back alley.”
The Golfweek cover showed a noose against a purple sky and the title, “Caught in a Noose.” The subtitle said “Tilghman slips up, and Golf Channel can’t wriggle free.”
Seanor took responsibility for the cover on Thursday night. It was removed from the magazine’s Web site this morning.
“We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country,” Turnstile Publishing Co. president William P. Kupper Jr. said. “We were trying to convey the controversial issues with a strong and provocative image. It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic.”
Sometimes they ARE laughing at you, not with you.
Earl Woods said his son would one day "change the world". His multicultural background, natural charisma, and athletic excellence would pave the way for a life of philanthropy and public service that would touch millions. And for the most part, this has proven to be true. You can't deny the efforts and community outreach of the Tiger Woods Foundation.
But as much good as Nike sponsored golfing academies can bring, something else could be far more impactful. Tiger Woods, instead of issuing a standard "non-issue" press release the next time he's publicly slighted, could take a stand and put some mutha*****'s in check. I'm not telling him to Channel His Inner Nigga, it's not even that sorta party. All he needs to do is stand up to Golfweek like he should have stood up to Fuzzy Zoeller, and Kelly Tilghman, and all the other folks who have cold carried him without a mere tepid personal response for years. Tell folks it's time to think before they speak. Consider the feelings of others before they talk.
Tell them to keep your name out they mouth.
Of course, this will never happen. Woods, much like his Nike Uncle Michael Jordan, knows where his bread is buttered, and will never mouth nary a controversial word, because he knows Phil Knight-sized checks are hard to get from FUBU. It's sad, but it's so predictable.
My issue with Tiger Woods has always been that he seems to claim blackness when it's only convenient and advantageous (and therefore profitable) to him. Who can forget those Nike commercials with PGA pioneers Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford a decade ago when Woods loudly proclaimed "I won't forget... I will never forget"?
Selective amnesia is a mutha.
Question: Should Tiger Woods be offended and C.H.I.N. this time?
Golfweek fires editor over Tiger Woods graphic cover [NY Daily News]
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I don't think it's ever my place to tell someone what they should be offended by. Everyone has the right to choose their battles. If Tiger chooses not to pick this one, it's truly his prerogative.
I agree. If you don't stand for something . . . I think this and the Venus Williams booty controversy are comparable. Funny how you have a definite stand here and no definite stand on the sexism issue. In Ms. Williams's case, the commentator was not in a bar or spectating at a Playboy bunnies tennis match. It was the Australia Open and he should have conducted himself so.
Of course, this will never happen. Woods, much like his Nike Uncle Michael Jordan, knows where his bread is buttered, and will never mouth nary a controversial word, because he knows Phil Knight sized checks are hard to get from FUBU.
I think you answered your own question right there. He doesnt take a stand because it might ruffle some feathers that he's not prepared to deal with right now. So what does he do? He takes it and keeps moving. Nothing respectable about that but it works for him. He can have YT talk smack and joke about him all day and the only thing he will do is smile and say he isnt offended. *shrug* Sounds like a lack of balls to me.
I think Tiger likes to live in a colorblind world. The thing is, he had enough money to actually create that fantasy. The rest of us aren't so lucky. I really believe he wasn't offended.
The real issue is that newscasters, political pundits and all other tv personalities are really getting out of pocket lately. You are a professional and your words are heard 'round the world, maybe you should think before you speak and think a little longer than a split second. What you would say in your living room is not appropriate for television.
"The Golfweek cover showed a noose against a purple sky and the title, “Caught in a Noose.” The subtitle said “Tilghman slips up, and Golf Channel can’t wriggle free.”"
I'm not sure that Golfweek should be flayed over this attempt to dramatize what was said on Golf Channel.
I haven't read the article so am not sure of their take on the matter, but if the teaser titles on the cover are indicative, then the article probably stated what Tiger neglected to say.
I'd like to know the nature of the complaints that were leveled against Golfweek for running the story and using a picture of a noose.
Were the complaints in support of Tilghman, or a show of outrage at the use of a noose?
What racial groups made the complaints: whites, blacks, or a mix of both?
That my friend is where the real story lie.
I'm not bothered by Tiger's 'public' silence- he can choose what 'offends' him. I do find it somewhat 'sexist that the magazine editor was 'fired', but the commentator was only suspended- for 2 weeks. Both incidents were not equal IMO, but the effects are. I don't see where one person deserves any differential discipline.
i saw the actual show on golf channel, and the fact is it is the truth, thats the only way...by killing him, if she said kidnaping post...chk out my post about the King THANK WE FREE
everyone needs a reality check-- and with these recent racial incidences are a reminder of how folks think in America and how easily the clock can rewind back
It's obvious that he doesn't see race. He probably can count on one hand the number of true black friends he has had in his whole life. He probably never dated a black woman. It's his right to not be offended. In fact, he says that the whole thing is a media creation.
But I think he needs to look at the big picture. He is part of a conversation on race, no matter if he doesn't accept it or doesn't ask for it. We don't want to have a climate where it is acceptable for white people to throw around "lynch" references without pushback. Or for the black kids at white colleges who have to go through these advertisements for a "Pimp 'N Ho" party where white kids dress up in blackface. He needs to stand up for those of us working for the man who if we find a noose in our workplace and we squawk about it, we may be fired. The whole issue is bigger than them IMO. But, like Oprah, his words carry much more weight than the average black person.
This is the 2nd time for him, with the "fried chicken and collard greens" statement by Fuzzy Zoeller years ago. Is he going to wait until someone white throws the N-word on him? Or dresses up as him in blackface? Is he going to not be bothered by that too?
@ Cal
I remember when Fox had a biopic about Tiger years back. In the film, he had a Blk gf & his father told him to get rid of her as a means of success. I don't know how true to life the film was, but many Blk folks claim that his dad did encourage him to leave his Blk gf & disassociate himself from the Blk community.
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
i have read many times that Tiger does not consider himself black. Living in California, in a mostly white community I have come across many blacks that are shamed by rich white folks. In eighth grade the only other black girl in my class claimed she was Cherokee. Once when reading an old text out loud in class, I changed the word negro to black. The teacher stopped me and asked me why I changed the word since it was not offensive to black ppl, she was white. After years in high school recieving all A's and being in honors classes I was told by my white classmates I had it easy attending any college I wanted alll I had to put on the application is that I was black. My friend so internalized this, she did not put race on her applications ( she was also a straight A student) and some white put Native Americaan on their applications. My friend's parent grew up in Oklahoma, Kansas, whenever they encountered a white person they would stand to the side and bow their heads, automatically. It sounds to me tlike Tiger and his father internalized the prejudices in California, by whites into hating their own race.
anonymiss,
Great stuff! I didn't know that. It's a shame if it's true.
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