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EastCoastKeith won the Throwdown.

charlescurtis2003

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EastCoastKeith

Throwndowns: 3
Record: 1 - 2 - 0
,
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7
Votes
Throwndowns: 3
Record: 1 - 2 - 0
Jersey Shore, NJ
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2
Votes

Isiah Thomas is a racist, reverse racism is a legitimate concept and, as an M.A., I am more than qualified to discuss the history of this country.


Your last comment to my blog provoked this response. I am more acquainted with the history of this country than perhaps anyone on this webpage. I know full well, unlike some people, that racism is not instituted merely by the majority. It is prevalent in all races and yes, blacks are just as capable of it as whites and Hispanics. As a history teacher at an inner-city school I see it every day.
I'm also sorry to inform you that reverse racism is a reality, because whites have become the punching bag for every perceived slight by other races. Had an African-American called the Rutgers girls "nappy-headed hos" there would have been no uproar, no picket by Sharpton.
The definition of racism is "a belief that some races are by nature superior to others." Likewise, discrimination is defined as "to make a distinction in favor of or against one person or thing as compared with others."
Isiah Thomas said that he would view a white person calling a black woman the "b" word differently than if a black person used the same word to the same woman in the same situation.
By making the distinction he is guilty of discrimination, and because that distinction is race-based, he is a racist.


I don't care if I lose this throwdown because I wasn't looking to be in it. Racism began and was instigated by the white majority in America a long time ago, with slavery therefore African Americans and other minorities in this country are the descendants of those who suffered the beginning of racism. USA continues to hand down institutional racism to minorities whether intentional or not. Whites took your racism definition first and put it on the heads of african slaves first.


That's true. I don't dispute what you just said. Racism in America was begun by stupid white people, and I believe that reverse racism is a direct and more than understandable reaction. Even the word "minority" is racially biased. But if we are to bear out true equality, then we must treat each other equally, and that goes for all races.
Had this merely been a sports issue I wouldn't have even sought the debate. But this is a serious social issue that just happens to be sports-related.


Let me answer one last time as I plan to eventually forfeit this sad display you created. Perhaps my definition of race is different than yours and that is the dispute here. My definition: a system of advantage based on race. Therefore, people of color could not be racist (they could be hateful and biased) because they do not systematically benefit from racism. I suggest at this point Charles we end this. As a grad student heading into elementary ed, I'm appalled to see you also teach.


Sad display? If discussing a serious issue (which in this case is sports related since the doer is an NBA GM) is a sad display, then you're right, we do live in a sad country. It's sad that you've basically reduced yourself to name-calling and personal insults. I have not done that to you, but have pursued a reasoned argument based on open discussion. I do not think myself higher than anyone (lest I be accused of discrimination), in a classroom or otherwise, and my kids' work will bear out my abilities.

Comments (19)

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How bout Isiah Thomas is just stupid instead of calling him racist?

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I don't think that makes someone a racist. Just because he views it differently, it doesn't mean he thinks blacks are superior to whites, or is making a distinction in favor of one over another.

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I think he's more boneheaded than truly racist, Chuck. He just puts his foot in his mouth... Isaiah's really just your run-of-the-mill dink, running a ballclub... oh, did i say running... i meant ruining a ballclub

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I agree he's a bonehead, but that doesn't mean he's a racist.

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Uh... that's what i said there, pal...

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Isiah is no Jeopardy! champ...but I wouldn't call him racist. Using your definitions, he is not racist, he discriminates. He does not think blacks are superior to whites, therefore they can call females *itches. You cannot judge a person based on one statement, unless he says in that statement that he is indeed a racist.
BUT...this isn't my TD, so i'm through...

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I voted against you, Charles, because of your obvious delusions of grandeur. "I am more acquainted with the history of this country than perhaps anyone on this webpage" That is an awfully subjective statement coming from such an educated individual.

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I agree Irish. Vote for Keith.

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I made the statement because of Keith's "suggestion" that I read the history of this country. The only point I am trying to make is that I have done that and a whole lot more.
I honestly don't see how anyone can vote for someone who hasn't even made a counter-argument yet, or for that matter for me in that case. I don't mind losing these things, but be fair. The statements Keith made on the blog comment page don't hold up.

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st857, sorry I meant to get back to your comment as well.

Why not just call him stupid instead of a racist? Why not call Mel Gibson instead of anti-Semitic. After all, he never said he hated Jews.

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" Racism began and was instigated by the white majority in America a long time ago, with slavery"

EastCost are you dumb. Americans didn't invent racism. Racism as long as every other sexism and every other ism has been around since the beggining of time. Is it a problem yes, just like sexism. Can it be fixed, I don't think racism will ever be eradicated around the world, but it certainly can be helped look at Nelson Mandela, but people who view racism as purley a majority belief only are not aiding it.

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Racism is a problem here most definatly, but fans don't start racist chants directed at certain players like they do in many European games and around the rest of the world. Now people can have their own beliefs. Personally, I believe racists are retards for thinking themselves superior over something so stupid as the color of their skin, but in America they are entitled to that belief as long as they don't go yellling it in the middle of a soccer pitch, basketball court, football field, or on the pitchers mound.

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That One Guy, Americans did not invent it but White America sure as hell adopted it and continued it through our history as it goes on today: Jena, Tuscalosca, Little Rock are three cities I suggest you check out right now to see how insensitive and ignorant your comments appear. By the way the use of the word "retards" in your second comment is also real open-minded and progressive too.

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This is an embarassing situation here folks that CharlesCurtis has gotten me into and I stupidly bit the hook. I have nothing to left to say about this and will likely "forfeit". The fact that two white guys are debating this right here on a sports fan website is pretty sad. I am sick that this even has to be debated and that many of you are steadfastly against me, but that is the country we live in right now. As I mentioned above in my second "argument" I am a grad student who will be certified to teach K-5 elementary in a few months. I am most horrified that Charles is a teacher himself. From what he wrote in his argument to "challenge" me to a throwdown he thinks higher of himself than the rest of us. Being we are a bunch of geeks on a computer that is fine here. I sure hope in a classroom at least he realizes it is about the kids and not himself. But from what I have read so far here, that may not be the case.
Again this is all very sad for Americans regardless of race, color, etc. We are a screwed up society. I'm done with it - back to sports on fannation please.

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Uh...I know that's what you said, I was agreeing with you.

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CharlesCurtis: one last note. The sad display I speak of is the fact that as one people we still do not all understand the reality of racism in this country in the year 2007 and all it continues to do to minorities in America. I could go on and on here about this but I feel it is falling on deaf ears. That's the problem right there with too much of white America - deaf ears that prefer to stay that way.

In all due respect, good luck in your future as an educator. I hope one day you understand what I have said here. Sorry about the insults in all truth as well. You have taught me not all teachers have the same social beliefs and that is a valuable thing for me to realize I see.

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What deaf ears? I am perfectly willing to listen to you, and to agree to disagree if necessary, no hard feelings. I really didn't mean for this to be a **** match.
I didn't have the space in my TD arguments to elaborate that the demographics of the school I teach at ensures that teachers are there because they love the job and love the kids. In fact, one of them had a phone conference with a parent who accused him of being prejudiced (perhaps a better word to describe Isiah, I will admit in retrospect). He pointedly shot back that if he were, he would not be at our school (which is 70 percent black, 20 percent Hispanic and 10 percent white and also has a large number of displaced refugees from as far away as Somalia and India).
Part of what has worked for me in the past and is working so far this year is that I try to relate to my kids. I don't get common with them, but I do make a point to include things they care about and can conceptualize as part of our class discussions and activities. For some reason, my also having a black wife seems to help.
Anyhow, like i said, no hard feelings. Liked your blog on the Rockies. Guess they won't be trading Helton now, though I hear Barmes is being shopped as well as Atkins (I think it's Atkins, or else move him to first if Helton is traded to make room for Ian Stewart at third).

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Good enough Charles. I think in retrospect we (or at least I) was real passionate about this topic and we see the result above...
Obviously this is a subject which will be debated about by many people for ever, likely never having an agreeable solution. Sounds like your school is an interesting place and you are fortunate to see a lot of America and its many faces and colors.
Speaking of sports, as a Padre fan I'll be happy to see Colorado in the World Series and wouldn't mind if they could knock off Boston. But come April as a Padre fan, I will be scared to death of Colorado. I think they may be the next big National League club for years to come.

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I agree. I may actually get to Petco Park next summer. My wife is supposed to graduate from National University in San Diego, and if it falls during the season I will try to get to a game. I have a goal to get to all 30 parks, including Yankee Stadium before they tear it down. I used to go see the Padres AA affiliate in Mobile (they're in San Antonio now) and got to meet some of their prospects like Josh Barfield who they were dumb to trade.
As for the Rockies, they've got a solid young roster with Stewart, Troy Tulowitzki, Atkins, Barmes, and Joe Koshansky, if they can find him a spot behind Helton or in the OF. Also, Jason HIrsch will be a good starter. You're right, they will be dangerous.

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