That is all to say I don't believe that Cosell meant whatever it was he said as a racial slur. It was like slang he knew from his childhood for a hyperactive kid.
It wasnt a intended to be a racial slur, but he used monkey to describe quick little players. This was supported by a previous sportscast where he called a little white guy monkey.
I would say calling an African a monkey would be quite racist. I don't know...has Mutombo gained his dual citizenship?
Are you serious? That is by far the worst insult to an African man. I'm probably one of the mildest people in the world -- the last time I got into a fight was probably 1st grade. But if someone were to call me that ... oh man. I can't imagine how tough it was for a guy like Deke to keep his cool there. Much respect.
Ok, first of all I wanna say racism is stupid and immature and it's sad to think that we're not past that point in our society. But still... Don't players get yelled at all the time. It's not like it's usually mature stuff people are yelling. People yell terrible things all the time. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's ok at all, but shouldn't he be able to withstand comments like that at this point in his career? No again, I'm not saying that he should have to put up with that (and I think fans like that should be tossed), but at the same time, it seems like a pro athlete should have better control of himself and not get into it with fans like that, or threaten to "go into the stands" if that happens again. (let the flaming begin, lol)
Dude...this isn't your typical everyday racial slur. Africans have suffered through many years of colonization, pillaging and dehumanization by Europeans in recent times (most African countries didn't gain their independence until the 1960s, and many are still trying to recover from it; Apartheid only ended in South Africa in the past couple of decades), so they are too familiar with the word "monkey" and what it implies (sub-human, unintelligent animal). The modern-day American cannot really find a good frame of reference so it is difficult to empathize -- but as an African myself I can definitely appreciate how hard it was for Dikembe not to break that moron's bones right there and then. Word of advice: call your friends monkeys all you want, but NEVER say that to an African. For your own safety.
Yeah, I remember one game when Ewing was in college, fans used to throw bananas on the floor. I won't say where because I can't remember for sure. But it happened. Very despicable and disgusting.
Maybe you can try to find a big group of black people, and call the one with the biggest ears a monkey.
People did it here in houston during the finals, I was there, I remember it. Gorilla was yelled out multiple times. Hell, in that comedy skit with Jamie Foxx roasting emmit smith one of the white comedians called shaq a knuckle dragger and he laughed it off. Either way, no matter what a fan says, no matter how bad it is, there is NO EXCUSE for a player to go into the stands. Mutumbo was in the wrong in this situation.
Wow what year is it and there is still racism and of all sports basketball which is prodominantly (rough estimate 70% or higher african american)? Here is my question, when something like that happens and your race is being offended, as a teammate or opponent, I would defend my ethnicity first and foremost and the worry about the team or the fans. Point is, everyone should be offended by this as a fan of the game. It's just wrong.
By the way i like this quote of mutumbo, its on espn.com "If I get fined, I will go straight into the stands the next time."
I don't care if the person thinks that comment was racist or not, he should have enough common sense to know that you just don't call someone that. Btw, didn't anyone else on the stands hear this and get offended? It's like if I was in a Rockets game and I hear someone behind me call Yao a chink.. I'd probably start a fight.
So are you guys condoning going into the stands and attacking a fan the way Artest did? Regardless of what was said, you don't go into the stand and fight IMO. You be the bigger person, the professional, and ignore it and walk away.
If I wasn't thinking, I wouldn't see how that was a racial slur. Reading this thread I can understand why this was such a horrible thing to say and without a doubt that man should be thrown out of the game. The thing is, Deke has played for quite a long time, he must have heard people call him that before. I wonder if he had a reaction as strong as this...
