Sticks and stones break bones – not words

Former NBA star, Charles Barkley was dead-on accurate in saying, “The only thing liberals have done for blacks is give them an inferiority complex.”

Evidence Donovan McNabb readily assuming the victim position over a Rush Limbaugh ESPN commentary. “I’m sure he’s not the only one that feels that way, but it’s somewhat shocking to actually hear that on national TV.” He went on to say comments about his race were out of bounds and added that someone on the show should have spoken up in his defense.

The only thing McNabb didn’t do was curl up in a fetal position and whimper. His “oh poor me – it’s so unfair” attitude is proof positive of Barkley’s observations.

McNabb is a professional athlete with a bazillion-dollar contract, still here he was whining about a commentary.

Without apology, I believe his responses are proof positive of his feelings of brainwashed “inflicted victimization.” If McNabb had not bought into the “it’s because I’m black” mantra, he would have recognized Limbaugh’s comments for what they were – comments! Nothing Rush said would or should bother a person with a healthy self-esteem. Rush’s commentary, in essence, said Donovan McNabb is a slightly above average quarterback carried by a great defense (which just happens to be black). Further paraphrasing, Rush’s comments were “and if he were Curt Warner or Vinnie Testaverde, he would either be benched or traded – but in this league many in the media are secretly pulling for a black quarterback to succeed.”

Where or how do said comments become racist? Did Rush in any way belittle or make light of McNabb’s ethnicity? The answer is “no”! He simply questioned if perhaps the media was pulling for a black quarterback to run the table. Again I ask – how is that injurious?

The sad commentary is not that on which Rush commented, rather it is that blacks – even of McNabb’s stature – exemplify such incredible sensitivity to such innocuous statements.

The only thing remotely on a par level is the pandemic cacophony of sycophant reporters and commentators, who believe they exemplify a better behavior by immediately eviscerating Limbaugh.

How many of those in the press now singing the chorus of “shame, shame” are remotely inclined to point out the anti-social behavior of athletes, blacks included (omit O.J. Simpson and Mike Tyson) toward women? How many of those same beat writers are as quick to point out the illegitimate children, the drugs, the alcohol consumption, the spousal abuse, the divorce rate, the arrogant self-centered attitudes of athletes – yes, even black ones – before their careers have ended?

It is hard to say which offends me more – McNabb’s whimpers or the sycophants trying to show “they’re on the brother’s side.” In the business of writing opinion, it is all too easy to write that which is popular or politically expedient. We saw this with those wagging their heads and shaking their fingers at Hootie Johnson (chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club). There probably isn’t one of them who wouldn’t accept the opportunity to play Augusta, but that didn’t stop them from being willing conspirators to the dismantling of the Constitution.

Many white reporters are only too eager to jump on the popular politically correct band wagon of the moment, while many black ones only see things in shades of blackness. In this columnist’s mind, said behavior only stands to further marginalize blacks through the process of victimization.

Just because a white person makes a comment that a black person or a social progressive (read liberal) deems offensive, doesn’t make it racist or bigoted.

I remember when my son was in second grade. A little girl happened upon the earth-shattering realization that my son and another little boy were black. Accordingly, she said somewhat incredulously, “John (not his real name), you’re black.” My son’s response was “so what.” The little girl (as only a child could) said, “Nothing, I just noticed that’s all.” The other little boy hung his head ashamed by her innocent childhood observation. My son could not have been bothered less by her observation.

My point is we are what we believe we are. We believe that which is instilled in us. If we are imbued with a healthy self-esteem, we are undaunted by innocuous comments. If one does not have a healthy appreciation of self, we have Donovan McNabbs. The question is: Which makes for a better, more honestly inclusive America?