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Posted on 12/31/2005 5:11:20 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
December 31, 2005 - 19:48.
When a few years ago Rush Limbaugh suggested that the media, hoping for a black-quarterback success story, had over-rated Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, ESPN fired him from its Sunday night football show.
Can you imagine what the media would have done to Rush had he dared to employ the classically racial "feets don't fail me now" line?
Yet that is exactly what major ESPN personality Chris Berman did a few minutes ago in introducing coverage of this afternoon's Denver Broncos game.
He apparently said it vis a vis white Denver Broncos QB Jake Plummer.
Berman's co-host, black former Denver linebacker Tom Jackson, gave what seemed a rather forced laugh in response.
Odds that Berman, who has described himself as a "New England Democrat," will face any discipline? Slim, IMO.
Im 38, my knowledge of the expression comes from Little Feat's "Waitng for Columbus" album, which was recorded live in 1979. IIRC, the song doesnt have racial overtones. At any rate, I dont seek out things to be offended by, and I doubt if Berman made the comment in a racial manner, either. He was probably using his signature use of song lyrics in his broadcast, and I at least, wouldnt have noticed it as anything other that-song lyrics. Its a shame people need to seek ways to be offended..
Happy New Year:)
Berman is 50. He is very surely aware of the phrase's racial background. My point in the post was not to accuse Berman of racism, but to say that if Rush Limbaugh had ever used such a phrase, the MSM would have raked him over the coals, whereas I doubt ESPN will discipline the self-described Democrat Berman in any way.
rush would be taken to task for just about anything he could say, racial or not. it already happened once with ESPN. the second time would take less of a potentially offensive phrase to get the MSM's ire up, thanks to "past history."
Berman isn't going to be taken to task for this because this is part of his schtick. he makes up lame phrases and nicknames for 90% of the people in the sports world, white or black. He and tom jackson (a black former pro NFL player) used to sing a cab calloway song when a certain receiver for the NY Giants would score, a black man named calloway. would that be considered racist as well? Or how about when former NY Giant/NE Patriot Dave Meggett used to run back punts for long gains and he'd say "Look at that little Meggett run!!!" All potentially offensive to some.
No prob. To the contrary, I admire your willingness to acknowledge it. There is so much misinformation flying around this thread, with people too young to know better standing pat on their ignorance.
I don't get it. Thanks for the info though.
Berman and Jackson seem like true friends, and I remember their corny "Heidi-heidi-heido-ho" Cab Calloway shtick.
But there's a huge difference between that and "feets do your duty." Again, I'm not by any means saying Berman is a racist. I don't think he is. My point was only to predict that he will skate on this one, whereas Rush would have been raked over the coals for saying the same thing.
A better attitude would be a willingness to learn from those who are older than you and who perhaps have seen or experienced things that make them more knowledgeable about racism than you seem to be.
Sure Berman is unwatchable, but has the Right REALLY gotten to the point that it's tit for tat for stuff like this?
Besides, no one will see what Berman said as racial. I was watching it and I didn't think it was either.
As for the "forced laugh", if you have worked with a guy who says the same crap for nearly 12 years now, you wouldn't find any of it funny either.
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LOL! Apparently it does, I have never heard the expression in any other context except Lowell George's, and Im approaching 40. This article is a "lets see what I can find to offend me today so I can be outraged" effort. Im just surprised to see so many falling for it..
This sincerely wasn't meant as tit for tat. I was not seeking to make trouble for Berman. Though I find him to be a bit of a blowhard [and his nickname after all is "Boomer'] I sense he's a pretty good guy.
I was simply trying to point out the double-standard - that if Rush had said the same thing, his "racial statement" would undoubtedly, IMO, have become front-page MSM news.
Fair enough in your case, but I'd guess you're under 40. For people 50 and over [including Berman], the phrase has undeniable racial connotations.
I don't mind being corrected, I actually am glad when it happens. It makes me feel like an ass, walking around with incorrect information.
Some things I know well, some I know a little. When I'm wrong I like to be informed of it early in the game.
Whoops, I see you're retired. So if you're under 40 you must have retired at age 2 ;-) OK, I was wrong about that. Still, the racial background of the phrase is well-known to millions, and I have no doubt that if Rush had ever used it the MSM would have made it a cause celebre.
I am well over 18, and although I have heard the phrase, did not connect it to either a racial slur, or a song. I had no idea of the context at all.
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This has got to be the most bizarre and surreal thread I've seen on FR in a long, long time.
A white ESPN announcer says "feets don't fail me now" about a white NFL quarterback.
Somebody from the Hypersensitivity Police not only labels the phrase as "racist" but then goes on to complain about how Limbaugh could never say it and get away with it.
Then the Hypersensitivity Police Auxiliary jumps in to . . . what? Bowdlerize the phrase from the English language?
Wow.
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