Bryant Gumbel - Asshole

"Finally, tonight, the Winter Games. Count me among those who don’t care about them and won’t watch them … Because they’re so trying … Like, try not to be incredulous when someone attempts to link these games to those of the ancient Greeks who never heard of skating or skiing. So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention . Try not to point out that something’s not really a sport if a pseudo-athlete waits in what’s called a kiss-and-cry area, while some panel of subjective judges decides who won … So if only to hasten the arrival of the day they’re done, when we can move on to March Madness — for God’s sake, let the games begin.”

Unfuckingbelievable. While Gumbel has every right to voice his opinion, I have just as much right to voice mine. Gumbel, you're an asshole. Not just an asshole, mind you, but an unmittigated, bigoted, racist asshole.

Imagine, if you will, a prominent TV sports commentator saying he doesn't like and won't watch March Madness because of the paucity of white athletes. The public outcry would be stupendous. Imagine a white baseball executive saying "(Blacks) may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or perhaps a general manager."? Or how about a football analyst saying that blacks were physically superior to whites because of selective breeding during Slavery? Or even a commentator saying Donovan McNabb was getting a pass from the press for poor performance because he was black?

But let's see what the shoe looks like on the other foot. How about a baseball manager saying blacks and Latinos handle heat better than white players? Didn't see a firing or resignation over that. How is that any different from what Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder said?

It's not just limited to sports, either. I'm sure you all can name chapter and verse about Trent Lott's comments about Strom Thurmond on his 100th birthday. Yet where was the media outrage over Harry Bellafonte calling Condi Rice and Colin Powell "house niggers"?

Racism and bigotry are still alive and well in America. Unfortunately, the most flagrant practioners also want to be the victims.