OT: ESPN's Robert Lee won't announce Virginia Game Because of his Name
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/espn-s-robert-lee-won-t-announce-v…
Nothing screams "I'm not a racist" from banning an Asian from broadcasting because of his name.
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:37 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:39 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:36 AM ^
Also, IBD.
ESPN is full-corporate in most of its actions. If it had been around in the '60s (with widespread broadcasting of college football) it wouldn't have shown the MSU-ND game in the south because *those* people were allowed to play on the teams. Would've messed up their ad sales in Atlanta ...
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:19 AM ^
And my guess is that ESPN will now see the public reaction and reverse their decision, making a public statement that apologizes to Mr. Lee.
The question is, which comes first: this thread gets locked, or ESPN reverses course?
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:49 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^
One of my friends who graduated from Ross works in advertising in NYC, and he told me, like 3 years ago, that his agency actually started to ENCOURAGE their clients (huge companies, like Dove, Coca-Cola, CAA) to INTENTIONALLY have a "gaffe" or some sort of faux pas, just for the attention alone.
From their data, they gleaned that all the attention actually helps them stand out, the "backlash" is manufactured, and their name recognition/sales actually go up. Thus the manufactured "backlash" is purely for show/entertainment.
Him telling me that really changed how I view politics/media in general. It's so funny how crystal clear it is, once you know what to look for. From the Kardashians, to Lonzo Ball, to our current President.
It a) not only DOES NOT matter what you say, but, b) actually HELPS if when you say the most ludicrous, outrageous thing (remember when Trump blamed republicans for "letting" 9/11 happen?? No one does, it happened in one of the first debates!)
Something about Marshall McLuhan, and "hot" media versus "cold" media....or something.
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^
Usually they do enough takes that they get one where everybody keeps a straight face. My wife was watching an episode of 'Tia and Tamara' where it was blatantly obvious that the conflict was being manufactured intentionally. The twin who was acting outrageous couldn't help but smirk.
So corporations are doing this too. Fake news indeed.
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^
assigned him to do another game the same day.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:32 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:48 AM ^
I'm sure someone you've never met and doesn't know Mr. Lee has been offended/oppressed by your behavior. You are a bad person and should feel bad.
#pc4life
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
I recommend saying "I'm sorry if any of you were offended."
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:40 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:20 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:29 AM ^
ESPN is a reed that bends with the wind. They have no actual compass.
Their live game coverage was the only thing that made them worthwhile, and now they are fucking with that.
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:54 AM ^
lmfao. I think we know what group is to blame for the oversensitivity we see in the US right now
America is a joke right now
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:55 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:43 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:40 AM ^
My attempt at an honest response to hyper-politicized nonsense:
The "group to blame" for this sort of move is comprised of spooked corporatists, aware that they're touching something capable of evoking furious consumer response, but comedically unable to discern what that response might be about or how they might address it in non-absurd terms. I'd argue that this group doesn't actually fit onto any sort of liberal-conservative mapping, since that would require a motivating ethos beyond ham-fisted self preservation.
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:05 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:30 AM ^
Sexist pig.
He's gone.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:49 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:00 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:46 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:07 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
cuck.
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:23 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:35 AM ^
Try not to be so sensitive.
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^
Not libs, but the guys that made this dumb ass decision--ESPN suits, no one else.
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
"America is a joke right now"
Your last sentence really stands out. I don't think the problem is any one side, but rather all sides inabillity to have any rational discussion of different opinions without it resulting in the type of immaturity you just displayed.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:55 AM ^
They are just going to chase him down and vandalize him.
August 23rd, 2017 at 5:38 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 7:23 AM ^
that I changed my last name from bin Laden. Things were getting too real....
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
Just spit out my coffee and I wasn't even drinking any. 10/10
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:30 AM ^
The sensible thing to do would be to make him broadcast from underneath a black shroud.
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
how this gets said. I always take Asian for Asian Asian. But I understand that some Asian Americans may be okay with the designation? Or that it's just very common and not the subject of much ruckus?
Obviously, we don't say "African" for African American. . .Just tooled around the internet for a minute and it looks like it's probably better to say Asian American. I would assume that Mr. Lee might want to be thought of as American. . .
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
I guess "American" is just not used anymore, huh?
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^
to imagine. I have an adopted mixed-race daughter, and just being the subject of intense scrutiny--as she sometimes feels she is--or always called on for your opinion (in school, whenever they need to know "what Black people think") can be wearisome.
On the other hand things--including historical designations--need names so you can talk about them. And the names change as circumstances change, or awareness changes. I don't see any of this going away soon.
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 2:17 AM ^
now they also have to ban top 50 basketball recruit David Duke (http://247sports.com/Player/David-Duke-46037479) from ever playing
August 23rd, 2017 at 3:42 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 6:50 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:57 PM ^
of Americans who had never heard of the man until last weekend.
August 23rd, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^
If you don't know who the most evil people in your country are--not even the ones who ran for president multiple times--maybe you should pay more attention.