Rocker vs. Iverson

[lavender]

 

[Guest]

So John Rocker got traded today to the Indians, the only major league baseball team with a more politically incorrect name than the Braves. How appropriate is that?

Although, I disagree with Rocker decidedly, I think he has gotten a bum rap. When you compare his actions to those of Iverson, writing a rap song about how he hates homosexuals and how he wants to kill people, Rocker is almost an innocent.

I disagree with both men's actions. However, they both have the RIGHT to say what they want. I just don't understand why Rocker several years later gets such grief and Iverson is now a national hero?????

I'm a huge Braves fan, maybe that's why I don't villainize (is that a word?) Rocker.

The reasons are many

1) John Rocker isn't all that good a closer, Allen Iverson was the leagues MVP. As the saying goes, If you hit the curveball you can get away with murder.

2) Rockers comments revealed himself to be a hillbilly yokel, Iversons album simply revealed him to be a bling-bling rapper.

3) By most accounts Rocker didn't get along well with his teammates, Iverson does.

4) It is still more socially acceptable in the US to be Homophobic than one might hope. Were we to castigate everyone who is homophobic then most Right-wingers couldn't live in peace. Which, my parole officer tells me, would be bad.

 

[CoolCucumber]

Oh Lavy...now you've gone and done it... Maybe I have a rather unique perspective on this one here for you. The reporter who wrote the article from the now infamous Rocker interview went to my esteemed University (Univ. of Delaware.) He's rather well known here as someone who reports acurately on what he hears, but also, at the same time doesn't normally stray far from what he sees. Yes, I am a Sixers season ticket holder, so maybe I'm biased, but Rocker said things that he had no remorse for until he was staunchly criticized. Iverson meanwhile shelved his album...go try and find it...you won't. While he refused to change his lyrics, remember also that 95% of the music of that genre also has the SAME refrences to women, homosexuality, and violence, yet many of those artists are held in almost reverent status. So why should Iverson be different? Because he plays ball too? It's different for Jay-Z, Eminem, Ja Rule, or whoever to say these things? Iverson has profusely apologized. And once again, maybe because I'm local...I can actually SEE the positive Allen has on the community. Always helping children in need, if you see him in public, he's personable, he'll shake your hand, and he will genuinely be friendly. He's involved with the homeless, donates time and money to charity, and yes, he even met with Gay and Lesbian rights leaders in the city when the controversy came to a head. Did you see anything close from Rocker? I'm dissapointed that you classified him with Rocker...two totally different individuals.

-CoolCucumber

 

[Guest]

Damn, CC picked up on the one reason I left out.

5) the album never came out

 

[WriterDom]

So John Rocker got traded today to the Indians, the only major league baseball team with a more politically incorrect name than the Braves. How appropriate is that?

Although, I disagree with Rocker decidedly, I think he has gotten a bum rap. When you compare his actions to those of Iverson, writing a rap song about how he hates homosexuals and how he wants to kill people, Rocker is almost an innocent.

I disagree with both men's actions. However, they both have the RIGHT to say what they want. I just don't understand why Rocker several years later gets such grief and Iverson is now a national hero?????

I'm a huge Braves fan, maybe that's why I don't villainize (is that a word?) Rocker.

Rocker is definitely a redneck. But I don't think he's a racist. I read the entire interview expecting to find much worse than what was reported, but the quotes that were well published were about it. I do think there is a double standard. Rappers are allowed to spit about killing cops or homosexuals, or raping women, or looting the evil Koreans, but let a southern man describe a New York subway ride and he gets suspended. If he beats the Braves as an Indian I can live with it. Just not as a Yankee. From lavender "So John Rocker got traded today to the Indians, the only major league baseball team with a more politically incorrect name than the Braves" I agree with you twice on one night, that's scary. I think using Native American nicknames are just as offensive as some would find the New Orleans Niggers.

 

[Andra_Jenny]

where to begin,

I come from a generation where I have always been the enemy, never the one preferentially hired by law. Jesus how can you ask that specific question unless you want to start the shit that I am always accused of...

This is the one issue that really absolutely has to be dealt with in the country...

and that is,

WHICH RACES HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE AND BLAME THIER SKIN COLOR FOR EVERYTHING

and who votes 98% Democratic,

and now this dumbass Indian, who almost had him/her/its self almost back in the good graces of the board has to go spew my rascist shit!

 

[HARDKOREBJ]

it doesn`t matter...

how they act or say as long as they can play a good game.
who are we to judge them anyway.they are making all the money

 

[Problem Child]

Re: it doesn`t matter...

how they act or say as long as they can play a good game.
who are we to judge them anyway.they are making all the money

....and jewels like this are why HARDKOREBJ is THE KING OF LITEROTICA!