So I’ll start by saying that I’m completely on Gus Johnson’s side here, and this is a thread that could probably go in GD, but most of this kind of stuff ends up here anyway, so I’ll just start it here.
Gus Johnson was doing color announcing for the Titans-Jags game this past weekend. Chris Johnson, running back for the Titans, broke off on a long run, and Gus Johnson said “Watch out! He’s got getting away from the cops speed!” Here’s a link to video, with a bit of commentary.
Chris Johnson is, predictably, African American. What many people don’t know is that Gus Johnson is also African American. But I don’t particularly think it matters. I think the people who think Gus Johnson should be suspended or lose his job over this are more racist than Gus Johnson. As a public defender, I’m well aware of the fact that white people can run from the cops just as fast as black people, and people who think that the statement is disparaging black people are automatically disparaging black people by thinking that they’re more likely to be running from the cops.
But I’m sure other people might disagree, even though you’re wrong.
Sorry, but no. One can recognize a stereotype without buying into it. I don’t think Gus Johnson should be suspended or anything based on your description, but that line of argument doesn’t work.
I agree with the OP 100%. It’s just reinforcing racist stereotypes to immediately associate “running away from the cops” with being black. Now, maybe the guy who said it actually is a racist, and if so, he’s an asshole. But, definitely, in the long term, more cultural harm is done by issuing knee-jerk reprimands and labels of racism to someone who says something that is not definitively racist. Because, as I think Drain Bead said better than I could, automatically assuming that it’s in reference to blacks just perpetuates a stereotype.
Why perpetuate a stereotype in the name of fighting it?
Yeah, I’m pretty worked up about the fact that people are calling for Gus Johnson’s head over this. Especially since I think a lot of those same people are assuming that Gus Johnson is white.
“Getting away from cops” speed needs punching up. While wonderfully visual, it should have economy of words, and scan better, if Gus wants everyone to pick it up.
Flight from fuzz speed?
Winning the blue-light race?
Pig ditching? Doughnut ditching?
Ooh! Border patrol scampering!
For the non-football fans we might as well point out that Chris Johnson is extremely fast. After a while you get low on adjectives to employ. The commentator tried to think outside the box a bit. I don’t find it offensive but I’m not black and I know a lot of white guys with running-from-the-cops speed. It’s a vivid expression. I like it but don’t think it should find it’s way into the regular rotation of announcer cliche phrases.
Now if you want to spark a debate on racism while commenting on a football game, point out how many white running backs there are…
Chris Johnson, the Running Back, is predictably African-American because there aren’t any white running backs in the NFL. Most people, including myself, wouldn’t know the commentator is African-American.
