[Husker] Neal's account of the slur

[Pat]

The context and meaning behind the quote isn't what bothers me.  What he 
said was a compliment, and if phrased differently, this discussion wouldn't 
exist.  However, it astounds me that a public figure could be dumb enough to 
use that word in such a blunt and careless manner, and not expect anything 
short of a major crapstorm to result.  To casually and carelessly throw that 
word around in front of the press simply shows a lack of common sense, a 
lack of judgment, and an overwhelming lack of irresponsibility.  None of 
these should be the traits of someone who is constantly caught in the public 
eye, as the head coach of a major university's baseball program would be.

I refuse to feel sorry for the guy.  If any one of us were representing our 
business/employer and made similar comments to members of the press, whether 
on the record or not, we'd be stupidly gambling away our jobs, and would 
likely share the same fate.  The coach gambled away his employment prospects 
when he provided two different reporters with everything they needed to bury 
him.  He lost.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pibel" <pibel at saintmail.net>
To: <husker at romaine.tssi.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 11:36 PM
Subject: Fwd: [Husker] Neal's account of the slur


>I live in Oklahoma. I read the account of the slur. I read
> the statements from the athletes on the team who are black
> or African-American. I read their view that the coach should
> not quit over the comments. I knew precisely what he meant
> and I also knew that he was not being racist in what he
> said. I do not in any way condone racism but I do condone
> some sense of proportion over words that were said not to
> belittle a player but to praise his ability. I could
> translate for any who care to listen but that would
> prepetuate a thread that I never thought would go beyond my
> original comment.
> For those who can't restrain themselves in castigating me
> for my insensitivity-forget it. My sensitivity level is just
> fine. I simply don't believe that the coach should have
> resigned in the aftermath of comments made to a sportswriter
> who didn't have the decency to not broadcast them with the
> intent of damaging the speaker. I also happen to be a
> sportswriter and would never report such a quote verbatim
> unless the coach had been derogatory and demeaning toward a
> player.
>
> Kerry Hookstra
> Erick, Oklahoma
>
> Mike,
>
> I thought the way Neal presented the slur was acceptable.
> Since I couldn't find an accurate account of what the coach
> actually said I was glad that someone was able to inform me
> of this.
>
> John Killmar
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: husker-bounces at tssi.com
> [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf
>> Of Mike Nolan
>> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 8:43 PM
>> To: husker at romaine.tssi.com
>> Subject: Re: Fwd: [Husker] OU baseball coach resigns over
> racial slur (fwd)
>>
>> It is apparently impossible to have this discussion
> without SOMEONE > repeating the racial slur that was used.
>>
>> I find that depressing.
>>
>> Let's end this thread quickly, it's old news already.
>> --
>> Mike Nolan
>>
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