Honorary Membership

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

First, please don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to start some sort of race-war, but I know we've got some black emaws around here and I'd appreciate your input. Is this a real thing? Do you guys agree with the sentiments expressed below (assuming they are, in fact, true)?

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2013/11/richie-incognito-considered-black-in-dolphins-locker-room.html

One of the most curious aspects of the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin story is how race has become very much a part of it outside the Dolphins locker room -- in the media and among fans and observers -- but not at all so far within the Dolphins locker room.

Think of this:

Richie Incognito left Jonathan Martin a voice mail that, among other things, called Martin a "half-n----r piece of crap." And Dolphins players of color, knowing of the voicemail, have expressed no problems with Incognito.

"I don't have a problem with Richie," Mike Wallace said. "I love Richie."

"I don't think Richie is a racist," cornerback Brent Grimes said.

"Richie Incognito isn't a racist," tight end Michael Egnew said.

ESPN analyst and former Dolphins wide receiver Cris Carter has know Mike Pouncey since the player's childhood. Today Carter said on air he recently spoke to Mike Pouncey and the center, who is Incognito's friend, addressed race.

"They don't feel as if he's a racist, they don't feel as if he picked on Jonathan repeatedly and bullied him, but if they could do it all over again there would be situations that they might change but they’re very, very comfortable with Richie,” Carter said.

 “They think it’s sad, not only that Jonathan’s not on the football team, but also that Richie is being depicted as a bigot and as a racist.”

How is this possible?

Well, I've spoken to multiple people today about this and the explanation from all of them is that in the Dolphins locker room, Richie Incognito was considered a black guy. He was accepted by the black players. He was an honorary black man.

And Jonathan Martin, who is bi-racial, was not. Indeed, Martin was considered less black than Incognito.

"Richie is honarary," one player who left the Dolphins this offseason told me today. "I don't expect you to understand because you're not black. But being a black guy, being a brother is more than just about skin color. It's about how you carry yourself. How you play. Where you come from. What you've experienced. A lot of things."

Another former Dolphins employee told me Martin is considered "soft" by his teammates and that's a reason he's not readily accepted by some of the players, particularly the black players. His background -- Stanford educated and the son of highly educated people -- was not necessarily seen as a strength or a positive by some players and it perpetuated in the way Martin carried himself.

And so -- agree with it or not, comprehend it or not -- this is a reason the Dolphins haven't turned on Incognito as a racist.

[0.42]

[EllRobersonisInnocent]

lol

[slobber]

This is absolutely stupid. (I am white.)
Now they are saying it is okay to use the n word if you are an honorary black person and to refer to somebody who is biracial as "half n"? What in the hell!
I got a news flash for idiots everywhere. Using the n word is not acceptable no matter your race or honorary race.

[Emo EMAW]

This is absolutely stupid. (I am white.)
Now they are saying it is okay to use the n word if you are an honorary black person and to refer to somebody who is biracial as "half n"? What in the hell!
I got a news flash for idiots everywhere. Using the n word is not acceptable no matter your race or honorary race.

Especially if you aren't best rough ridin' friends with the call you're calling a n-word.

[Rage Against the McKee]

The NFL should just give a lifetime ban to all Nebraska alumni and about 75% of all their image problems would suddenly disappear.

[ednksu]

I'm just captivated by a locker room rejecting a black guy because of his education and family status.

[CNS]

I'm just captivated by a locker room rejecting a black guy because of his education and family status.

Bill Cosby would say that this is not just a problem in the Miami locker room.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

I'm just captivated by a locker room rejecting a black guy because of his education and family status.

Bill Cosby would say that this is not just a problem in the Miami locker room.

Yeah, this is a national phenomenon.

[Headinjun]

I think it would be cool to have a Stanford educated friend who started at a D1 program, and who made it into a starters position in the NFL. 

I wouldn't consider somebody who has crossed all those roads "soft", especially at the tackle position. 

[Institutional Control]

Whitlock's take.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9941696/jonathan-martin-walked-twisted-world-led-incognito

[CNS]

Really good article.

[steve dave]

jason whitlock is bitb

[Emo EMAW]

That's the best thing he's ever written. 

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

I didn't know Olbermann was back on the air. How did he keep from yelling "Incognito is the WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD!!!"

[sys]

whitlock's piece was equal parts perceptive and stupid.

it's perceptive to note and explain the idiocy of the culture that can describe a particularly foul and aggressive white man as an honorary black man.  it's equally as stupid to tacitly assume that black players should naturally prefer the company and associate with other black players, even if they share little in common in culture and upbringing.

[michigancat]

Whitlock is the BITB at putting black people in their place and getting white people to cheer him on

[ChiComCat]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

[star seed 7]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

[steve dave]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

the issue is richie incognito being a shitty human being

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

Seems like it's an accepted word in some locker rooms. 

[star seed 7]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

the issue is richie incognito being a shitty human being

well there is no denying that.

[CNS]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

the issue is richie incognito being a shitty human being

And that it was not only allowed to happen for that long of a time, but that it is rumored to have been something his Line coach encouraged him doing to toughen up Martin.

Also, The GM said that Martin should have just fought Incognito.  So, the head of a billion dollar org is saying that two multi million dollar assets should fight each other on team property due to behavior that was encouraged by those in power.  I mean, I am no lawyer, but......

[ChiComCat]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

I think its part of the issue in this article, not the overall bullying issue.  If a black friend came to me and said it was ok if I used the N-word, I wouldn't do it anyway.  Its risk/reward.  What benefit do I get out of it?  I feel guilty if I use it.  Maybe I get to feel like I'm getting away with something.  What if someone overhears or a ridiculous voicemail spreads across family and friends?  I get called a racist.  No thanks.  I am fine not using it.

Incognito is without a doubt a crap human being.  Generally, anybody white who wants to use that word is.

[steve dave]

I just don't get why some white people want to use the N-word so damn badly

is this really the issue?

I think its part of the issue in this article, not the overall bullying issue.  If a black friend came to me and said it was ok if I used the N-word, I wouldn't do it anyway.  Its risk/reward.  What benefit do I get out of it?  I feel guilty if I use it.  Maybe I get to feel like I'm getting away with something.  What if someone overhears or a ridiculous voicemail spreads across family and friends?  I get called a racist.  No thanks.  I am fine not using it.

Incognito is without a doubt a crap human being.  Generally, anybody white who wants to use that word is.

yeah