So Kelly Tilghman, the lady that said golfers should “lynch” Tiger Woods has been suspended. I’m not sure how she hasn’t been fired, but I guess a suspension is something.
What’s nothing, however, is Tiger’s statement that this is a “non-issue.”
Sorry, Eldrick, but you don’t get to determine whether this is an issue or not. This actually has nothing to do with you.
Yes, Tiger was the person toward whom this bit of foolishness was directed. That said, he wasn’t the person toward whom this was truly offensive. Granted, I have no idea how Tiger’s just letting this slide. I’ve let a few things go with friends because, in many cases, I realized they truly didn’t know any better. No doubt in my mind that she knew better. And if she didn’t, she’s too stupid to be allowed to talk on television. Just that simple.
But everyone should be offended by this. There is nothing funny about lynching. Nothing. I can find humor in pretty much anything–particularly things wholly inappropriate–but there’s none here. The reason–there’s not a single thing funny about the idea of taking someone against his or her will and having him or her killed without any semblance of jurisprudence. Nothing. Lynching is one of the most terrifying, indefensible, and nauseating phenomena in the history of this country, and I have no desire to hear anyone, let alone a white woman on a golf course, act like that’s some kind of joke.
What Tilghman said was offensive to those who were actually lynched, those who had relatives lynched, and those of us that continue to deal with the latent attitudes that made lynching possible. Actually, no need to stop there. That should have been offensive to everyone with a brain and any sense of historical perspective.
Tiger’s opinion on the topic is worth knowing, but it doesn’t matter. That he’s not bothered doesn’t dead this as a larger issue. This isn’t about him. This is about everyone.
Tilghman should have been fired immediately. If she thinks, at any point, that such a thing is appropriate, then she doesn’t have what it takes to work on live television. I also don’t know if she’s got what it takes to tie her own shoes.
This wasn’t a faux pas, or a slip, or anything else. This was an unquestionably racist statement. That’s fireable, and it should have been in that case. It’s not just the language. It’s the sentiment. And if the sentiment was a joke, that lynching someone is worth a chuckle or two, then it might be worse than if she was dead-ass serious.
So Tiger can let it slide. I won’t judge him for it. But I’m not letting it slide, nor should I or anyone else. I’m not content to have racism thrown in my face with a chuckle, and I’m not going to get over it because the King of Cablinasia doesn’t care.
There are jokes to be told about that time in history. This, however, wasn’t the joke and Tilghman, certainly, wasn’t the person to tell it. Black folks have been too much in America to be asked to tolerate at something like a lynching joke, and everyone needs to respect that.
11 thoughts on “Tiger doesn't care…and?”
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Even if Tiger cared, I doubt that he would say so.
This ain’t about Tiger. This is about the casualness with which folk bandy about Lynching (Clarence Thomas, Im talking about YOU, too.)
Lynching is lynching. Nothing else really comes close and it is vital that ALL people stop “joking” about it.
Tiger has an image to uphold. I’d cuss that hoe out, but I don’t stand to lose $100 million in endorsements. Plus I’m sure he’s heard worse comments in his days as a golfer.
As for her, I don’t think she should be fired. I call people crackers on my job and they still cut me a check every week.
Hmm.. did you get emails from folk protesting your blatant use of race card this time?
Yeah, really. Race has no place in a discussion of lynching.
Ten years ago, I would have also said that certain things just aren’t funny. Nowadays I believe that anything can be funny in the right context with the right speaker (see Carlin on rape). This wasn’t the right context, and she wasn’t the right speaker.
bomani, I think you’re taking this a bit too far man. Sure, lynching is bad, but have YOU ever had a foot in mouth moment? I’m pretty sure this wasn’t premeditated, watching the video, where she was joking with another announcer about how the only way you can beat tiger is to take him out (granted, not the happiest of topics but I’ve heard worse on blogs) she used the wrong word.
Bomani, for the most part I’m with you on alot of these issues, but sometimes people just say the wrong things. I feel like I’m a pretty smart guy who treats all races and sexes as equal as I humanly can and even I’ve had these types of moments. The benefit is that I didn’t have a mic in my hand w/ thousands (millions? not sure how many ppl watch the Golf Channel) of people watching me.
I see your point, but I respectfully disagree man.
Good radio show btw, are you gonna podcast old shows?
I’m sorry but some folks like to test the waters, see what they can get away with. If you allow your caucasian friends to joke with you like that then yeah, it’s going to slip out at the most inappropriate times (not like there is an appropriate time). Caucasian folks like to say “stop using the race card” but some keep blowing that shit up in our face and some expect us to two step around that shit. It’s not happening.
Somebody (Tiger) is telling a big fat lie when they say this isn’t a big deal.
Alot of folks say that the race card is always being played but until you walk a mile in a person of color’s shoes, you haven’t the slightest idea as to what you are talking about.
Well the suggestion that she somehow was unaware of the implications of the joke is simply ridiculous. The humor of the joke was in its bad taste. That was what, in her mind, made it funny. This wasn’t accidental or a slip-up. She knew exactly what she was saying. She could have chosen to say any number of things (e.g, beat, slug, etc), but she chose lynch. That wasn’t accidental. That was deliberate.
That Woods wasn’t offended or doesn’t care is completely irrelevant. The joke was wrong, it wasn’t funny and shame on anyone who thinks otherwise. It was stupid, insensitive, racist and I’m shocked that her ass still has a job in broadcasting.
I know Bo & other will hate this, but, who cares? Fuck it. Seriously.
You’re all too smart, too wise, too sensible to really give this bullshit any thought or care. Tiger doesn’t give a shit about it, why should we all?
I can’t wait for the day my greatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreatgreat >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>> grand kids are living and everybody’s the same damn color.
I’m so sick of all this shit.
How ironic that a black man nicknamed Tiger ruffles feathers about as much as AC Green.