Posted on 11/27/2004 8:54:40 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh said that a November 19 brawl that broke out during a National Basketball Association (NBA) game was "hip-hop culture on parade." Limbaugh asserted that the fight -- which involved Indiana Pacers team members and Detroit Pistons team members and fans -- was "gang behavior on parade minus the guns," and that NBA uniforms are "now in gang colors. They are in gang styles." In making the comments, Limbaugh conceded that his remarks were likely to be "tagged as racist." Limbaugh also appeared to compare the brawl to the unrest in Fallujah, Iraq, suggesting that Detroit be renamed "New Fallujah, Michigan."
Limbaugh delivered his remarks on the same day that he touted his receipt of the Winston Churchill Statesmanship Award from the conservative Claremont Institute. Previous award recipients include former President Ronald Reagan, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. San Diego Chargers owner Alex G. Spanos, who presented Limbaugh with the award, noted that it is given to "those who look up to the sky for the noble principles of justice, right and liberty."
From the November 22 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
And that comes right out of the hip-hop culture, and it's not just that. You look at NBA players and the uniforms, you don't have to go back very far. The uniforms have changed totally. They're now in gang colors. They are in gang styles.
[...]
But there's a reason this is happening. I'm not saying it's nothing to be concerned about. There's a reason. But I don't think anybody ought to be surprised, folks. I really don't think anybody ought to be surprised. This is the hip-hop culture on parade. This is gang behavior on parade minus the guns. That's the culture that the NBA has become. So if anybody will be honest with you about it in the NBA, and a very few will have the courage to, because saying what I just said is going to be tagged as racist, but I, my friends, am fearless when it comes to this because the truth will out, and that's what's happening here, and part and parcel of this gang culture, this hip-hop culture, is: "I'm not going to tolerate being dissed. I'm not going to be disrespected," and "disrespected" is now so broad that it includes somebody looking at you the wrong way.
[...]
CALLER: This is not a new thing with the Piston fans.
LIMBAUGH: I know. That's why I say call it "New Fallujah, Michigan."
For all I know, as I don't follow the sport like when I was a "yout", all colleges have the same problem.
As I look around the country, seeing the various problems exhibited, I can't seem to shake the feeling that it is the "all about money" syndrome at the root.
People aren't satisfied with making a living and raising their children. They must make more money, be better that the Joneses, buy $200 sneakers for Johnny, etc. etc..
Is it any wonder that none are happy?
Of course we know there are thousands of good, decent, hard working parents, with good, decent, hard working kids doing well, but that story is not news to most.
Think of the recent fiasco at the Olympics. Did the US team(?) even win a medal. Easily the best talent, easily a disappointing team. I think this relates to the hip-hop culture.
I don't like the NBA for the way they've treated the great game of college basketball. And some of the shoe company marketing that goes with sport is ridiculous such as the Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony campaigns. But I wouldn't paint the whole NBA a league of thugs. There's some fine role models in there like David Robinson and A.C. Green in the recent past to Allan Houston and Dwight Howard right now.
The hammer and the nail come together again.
1) Violence is SUPPOSED to be a part of the first two, not the latter. Hence, in the first two, players are protected from "non-sanctioned" violence. In fact, if you want to end NHL fights quickly, ban ANYONE who takes off a helmet or gloves. Otherwise, let 'em at it. They can't hurt each other.
2) "Gang" behavior is seen not at all in the NHL (for obvious reasons) and to a far lesser degree in the NFL. Teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, Colts, Chiefs, Chargers all retain quite traditional uniforms, especially with the tendency for "throwback" uniforms. Basketball, on the other hand, is emulating the gang styles as much as possible. Moreover, the scanty nature of the NBA uniforms encourages people to sport tatoos and weird hair styles. Aside from McQuarters, you see very few oddball hair jobs in the NFL---and even if they have them, they can't show them.
3) Far more than the NFL (and forget the NHL in this regard) pro basketball has built its marketing around the "don't dis me/in yo' face" hip-hop gansta appeal. I play a lot of the Playstation/X-box games, and they ALL feature this type of music and culture.
The zone helps with some of this, but eventually only very strict foul calling will restore the pro game to one of motion and passing, not back-downs and dunks.
Ageed on the all-about-money syndrome. I think we should get around the sham of the "amateur" status junk and have these players paid livable stipends for all the money they help contribute to the universities.
As far as attitude, as long as we have a culture literally buying in to it, it won't change. God willing, we will see a change somewhere along the line in the whole of American society (election signaled a good start) where we hit critical mass with this crap and a new paradigm is ushered in.
What we need is for people to stop buying tickets to these circuses.
Years ago I watched in dismay as my children became awe struck at wrestling on TV. They outgrew it.
I fought against the likes of Lawrence Taylor (NYG linebacker) because he was a druggie and influencing my children.
I won many of those battles, but not because of anything I said. It was because they were lucky and matured to the point of understanding.
Many of us are not so lucky.
Heck, just watch the home teams' "intro videos" that they play before every player introduction. It is total "gangsta" rapperism.
There is way too much of that: but if you want to see a team playing ball closer to how it should be played, watch the Phoenix Suns. They move the ball, score points, pass, and do not engage in "back-down" thugball.
If the NBA is "hip-hop culture on parade," then the dumbest bags of rocks on the planet are those middle-aged white slobs who pay to watch these guys play.
The Clintons' are creepy. The Democrats cannot comprehend the fact that kids, any kids of any color or circumstance, should be home in bed by midnight.
Yep ... and I meant no slight.
" Ageed on the all-about-money syndrome. I think we should get around the sham of the "amateur" status junk and have these players paid livable stipends for all the money they help contribute to the universities."
I'm afraid I would have to think on that one for a good long while. Some pretty nasty repercussions may develop as a result.
" As far as attitude, as long as we have a culture literally buying in to it, it won't change. God willing, we will see a change somewhere along the line in the whole of American society (election signaled a good start) where we hit critical mass with this crap and a new paradigm is ushered in."
I really think you are on to something here. It will take a while, but the wheel will turn.
I totally agree with you on the subject of professional sports. Too many people make "heroes" out of these single talent ball tossers.
I've come out in the past and said th same thing. Some freepers have jumped on me pretty hard however that will not change my distaste for bread and circuses.
Once posted that while growng up none of my four sons was allowed to watch any pro sports on TV if they expressed an interest I'd sign them up for little leauge or Pop Warner and go to their games and root for them.
Some folks came borderline to accusing me of abusing my kids because I actually made them play and get the exercise and benefits rather than taking up a space on the couch.
In 54 years, I have only watched one BB game...
Reason: It's about as interesting as watching paint dry.
Rich criminals on parade. NOthing more. The sport isn't even entertaining to watch. I've gone to a number of Denver Nuggets games in the box seats and we usually watch hockey.
You got that right!
From now on, it's the NHL for me.
At the pro level, you have to have a higher IQ to play. What's going on, on the field is so complex the stupid but gifted get weeded out quickly.
Naaa. Flip a coin. "Heads we win, tails you lose." Game over.
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