Venus Williams Gorilla Controversy

[slimreaper]

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Why was this man fired for saying "gorilla style"? Why does no one give a shit about context and intent anymore when it comes to "racism"?


ESPN must really think she resembles a Gorilla to get so offended over nothing.

 

[~Ethereal~]

I must be the only one here that is neutral with you.

 

[InfiniteMugen]

Lol wow, what a PC shit show of a world we seem to live in now

 

[Sagebee]

I don't think in this example it clear if the announcer was trying to be racist or not, but if he was even slightly self aware he would know this wasn't a good idea, but I don't think in this specific example it warrants him losing his job.

 

[Adam Driver]

Gorillas do charge when they attack this would be parallel to the commentary and to Venus's play given her athletic prowess. This was poor judgment on espn taking this way out of context.

 

[Inmate]

Before he sounded racist, he sounded misogynistic. So there are two issues here. How can you say that about a woman though? He could've dodged the media's rampage if he was referring to a man, but it's a woman we're talking about. That man was either tipsy or he just didn't care about losing his job anymore.

 

[Punk Hazard]

The article said he was removed from his remaining assignments, so I'm not sure he was actually fired. Considering we're in a moment of racial tension in America, and that racist propaganda in America has historically depicted black people as being like or being very similar to monkeys and gorillas, it's not rocket surgery as to why his comment was in bad taste.

I don't think he should be fired, though I understand why they would separate themselves from him because of this. If he's just suspended or something like that, then alright, happens all the time when people make blunders as bad as this.

 

[Jazzy Stardust]

mmm, he just sucked at his job

i mean you dont want to pay someone who cant think of a more clever description than a gorilla, when theres tons of people out there who can. maybe hes racist? only he can say but the media will ruin him for one story. its sad because theyll be doing the same thing the next day to someone else

 

[Umari Senju]

Racist? Probably not.
Should he have lost his job? Nah a little extreme


HOWEVER, using monkey, ape, gorilla in any context involving a black man or woman...is in
Poor taste no matter the intention. We've been associated with primates as a negative connotation for quite a few generations so it was a poor comment to make no matter what others may think.

 

[Inmate]

mmm, he just sucked at his job

i mean you dont want to pay someone who cant think of a more clever description than a gorilla, when theres tons of people out there who can. maybe hes racist? only he can say but the media will ruin him for one story. its sad because theyll be doing the same thing the next day to someone else

I doubt he is. It's the former.

 

[Ōkami]

People like to ***** it seems

 

[BenjerminGaye]

given the history she and her sister had with ppl calling her derogatory names and the like i don't blame them. Using the word guerrilla doesn't even fit the context anyways.

 

[King Richard]

She looks like a Gorilla, it was time someone pointed it out.