Media

Did CNN Columnist Really Call NBA All-Star Weekend ‘Black Thanksgiving’?

CNN created an online stir Friday evening after its homepage linked to a Sports story about “Black Thanksgiving,” an apparent reference to this weekend’s NBA All-Star Weekend.

Did CNN Columnist Really Call NBA All Star Weekend Black Thanksgiving?

h/t HuffPo

“Other folks have Tweetups. Black people have All-Star Weekend, or ASW,” writes David Aldridge, an NBA.com columnist special to CNN.  “It’s a national holiday, sort of.”

ASW is the only time of the year that people call me. I don’t say that to be maudlin, ’cause most of the time, I don’t want people to call me. (Dirty little secret: I don’t really like talking on the phone.) But they come out of the woodwork this time of year, because NBA players are royalty in Black America, and everyone wants to be near them. The old saying is that ballers want to be rappers, and rappers want to be ballers. That’s really, really true.

To seal his racially based case, Aldridge quotes a (chomp down on smoking pipe and assume hoighty-toighty pose) academic scholar:

“Considering that the culture of basketball in a predominantly black league like the NBA is so strongly connected to African American culture, the NBA All-Star weekend has turned into a celebration of African American culture by extension,” says Todd Boyd, professor of critical studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Seriously?

Comments (85)

1 2
  • Registered Republican
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 12:29pm

    I don’t see Al Sharpton getting in on this anytime soon. Only because it is not a conservative news network that said it.

    Report Post »  
  • Registered Republican
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 12:28pm

    I don’t see Al Sharpton coming in on this one anytime soon. Only because it isn’t a conservative news station.

    Report Post »  
  • TheRemodel
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:41am

    The NBA lost a lot of fans for years because of bad rules changes…and the added ‘Thug’ element. It really got out of hand for a couple years back when, and I stopped watching (looking at you Iverson). It was only by chance a couple years ago I saw their product again, saw it was more like the good ol’ days, and have been watching and going to a few games since.

    Seems like they might not have learned, or perhaps they have forgotten…

    Steve Martin once said something like ‘I want to appeal to everybody, cause that would mean…more…money…’

    Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:53am

      NO….half the NBA arenas are empty because they dont play hard like they do in College and the public (whites) have gotten tired of the players stupidity and have priced themselves so high that 99% of blacks (yes I said it) cant afford to go…lolol….how ironic

      Report Post »  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:36am

    The liberals and progressives are getting more and more loose with their talk and exposing their own true racism. They‘ve been given enough rope to ’lynch’ themselves.

    Report Post »  
  • mcpbob
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:28am

    can ii order fried chicken and some greens please

    Report Post » mcpbob  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:24am

    Who cares? Boring…

    Report Post »  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:18am

    Sorry but I saw it and laughed…seems like someone’s getting hung for telling a stereotype near truth…( like ‘Italian guido’s wear more gold or jewelry than most’ which I hear all the time being a “whop” myself and laugh because it’s true)…People ( and I don’t mean here particularly ;) gotta lighten up these days, we got far more serious shiiite goin on that this to deal with, like those “wascawy wadical Muswims” who wanna kill us all ‘inside the wire’. :(

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • billjones4
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:09am

    I stopped watching basketball after the Michael Jordan era ended. I can remember post game press conferences where the players would be in a suit and tie, sit up straight and speak clearly. Now it’s all bling, jerseys and sideways ball caps. Let’s be honest. If it wasn’t for the NBA most of these guys would be in prison.

    Report Post »  
  • thestimulusmonkey
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:59am

    So I just need to set the record straight, between my conservative friends and I. Are we supposed to talk about race or are we not supposed to talk about race?

    Report Post »  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:58am

    The Truth will set you Free ….. what is it with us ? Can’t be totally honest, can‘t tell a joke about anything and can’t have a different opinion without confrontation .So no Writers, Comedians and Political views what a boring world we are becoming !

    Report Post » forthepeople  
  • jacobstroubles
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:52am

    Let’s see the entire world is technically of fire, and we give a crap about the alleged statement of some ignorant CNN reporter, or the ridculous interpretation of his statement?
    This is just another distraction for the sheeple who are still sleeping.

    This is why the world is on fire!

    Report Post »  
    • TheRemodel
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:42am

      The world is on fire because of ignorant people like that CNN columnist, not because we care class, m’kay?

      Report Post »  
  • Axeman4
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:47am

    What’s the problem? WOW.

    Report Post »  
  • Pja101
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:22am

    Does that mean I can start calling NHL all-star weekend as “White Christmas” “?

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:19am

    Working for the federal government I believe it, we have hundreds of tokens that have jobs in our building just because of the color of their skin. 95% are unqualified for the positions they hold, and incapable of doing any real work, so to keep them passive, they are given huge screens, and fast internet connections so they can sit in their offices and watch replays of basketball games all day long. It’s super funny, to block espn at the border router and watch them all stumble out in the halls mumbling what happened to the internet, it gets scary and you have to remove the block quickly before they get bored and violence breaks out.

    Report Post »  
  • LoganBucs
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:10am

    Say it like it is…. and your racist. Sad. ASW is a black Holiday, just check out the commericals.

    Report Post » Barry  
    • sedition
      Posted on February 20, 2011 at 8:50am

      Boy the way Glen Miller played
      Songs that made the hit parade.
      Guys like us we had it made,
      Those were the days.

      And you knew who you were then,
      Girls were girls and men were men,
      Mister we could use a man
      Like Barry Soetoro again.

      Didn’t need no welfare state,
      Everybody pulled his weight.
      Gee our old hyundai ran great.
      Those were the days.

      Report Post » sedition  
  • rodamaa
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:10am

    C’mon guys is this a serious conversation?

    Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:29am

      Yep….this is a holiday. Gonna steal me a pair of new kicks,pull my pants down extra far and put on my XXXXL Kobe sweater that comes down to my ankels.Then get a new tat for the ocassion, pull my cap to the side and then go hang with my boys and wonda why da racist white man wont hire me.

      Report Post »  
  • Buckaroo
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:04am

    my double standard meter just broke …

    :-)

    Report Post »  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:03am

    The NBA is becoming very unwatchable the players are lazy, they do not give 100% except in the playoffs, they are grossly overpaid driving up the cost of tickets, paraphanalia and they are arrogant.
    David aldridge may love them but I no longer do.
    The union has caused this chaos with the pay to rookies and past-their-prime players. I believe the contracts should be for one year and based on your performance last year this would cause the players to play hard every game for themselves and limit the ridiculous salaries.

    Report Post »  
  • Sgt.Crust
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:56am

    They sure can shuck and jive! But thanksgiving? LOL, give me a break will ya…

    Report Post »  
  • Conkuur
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:56am

    So then what is the Spear Throwing contest in Baruga, Or the Egg plant festival in Loomis California considered Aldridge? I mean come on lets continue the stereotyping shall we CNN.Good thing your left Aldridge or someone might be firing you about now.

    Report Post » Conkuur  
    • SEC777
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:01am

      Did you read the article? Aldridge did not provide a single stereotype. Don’t jump to conclusions without actually looking it up. Even Glenn tells us to do our own research. It‘s obvious you haven’t @Conkuur. And the spear chucking – THAT’s offensive.

      Report Post »  
    • Conkuur
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:13am

      @ Sec777 Um it says “Black Thanksgiving” right in the headline. Do you think ALL African Americans are football fans? I Don‘t have to read anymore than the headline to know that it’s a race based stereotypical statement! “Black Thanksgiving” is in no way any less offensive then Blacks being associated with Spear throwing was my point sorry you don’t get the analogy.

      Report Post » Conkuur  
    • Conkuur
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:16am

      *Basketball (mind still on football sorry)

      Report Post » Conkuur  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:47am

    “NBA players are royalty in Black America” Enough said.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • 912828Buckeye
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:46am

    I beleive this guy is telling the truth.

    Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
  • thejackal
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:45am

    Wake up people there’s nothing to see here… These words were spoken by a liberal and therefore will be ignored by the media. If were any conservative/tea party or republican that said this it would be on every news wire in the known universe and the SETI people would of broadcast it into outer space in case any liberal aliens are out there. Nope, no double standard here, move along, these aren’t the droids your looking for.

    Report Post » thejackal  
    • SEC777
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:59am

      David Aldridge has also written in a previous article concerning the All-Star game:

      “I wish more young black men weren’t so seduced by the worst of hip-hop culture: the misogyny, the glamorization of selling drugs and drinking, the indifference to formal education. I wish VH1 could find better depictions of black life than crackhead singers and illiterate sex-crazed fools.”

      Perhaps he’s a better journalist with a better head on his shoulders than people here are going to give him credit for.

      Report Post »  
    • S_Malc13
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:04am

      Sec777,

      You’re right. I used to watch him on PTI and he’s usually staunch against obvious controversial issues, but he’s a Chicago guy, and occasionally, not often, he leaves one scratching his/her head. Moderate in his views for the most part.

      Calling it Black thx…..could’ve been better unsaid. Sounds too mutually exclusive.

      Report Post » S_Malc13  
    • Spooky
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 3:41pm

      -you can go about your business, move along…

      Report Post »  
  • chickenlittle
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:44am

    “Todd Boyd, professor of critical studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts” ?????

    Now there’s a good place for a budget cut that nobody should miss.

    Report Post » chickenlittle  
    • psst
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:05am

      No-No-No- and NOO.
      Cut the budget(dept) for professor of Critical Studies?
      I think this feller should be made Senior Professor of Critical Studies. A larger staff and a pay raise.
      I mean, how will the Country survive if we do away w/ Critical Studies depts.?

      Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:22am

      I agree….Its almost as relevant as a Phylosophy and womens studies degree

      Report Post »  
    • chickenlittle
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:23am

      @PSST…

      I suppose you are right. We would be left to compete academically with SoCal’s credit courses on pornography and the Simpsons as “critical studies.” Don’t want the kiddies bored now do we?

      Report Post » chickenlittle  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:09pm

      “Professor of critical studies at the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts”

      Probably the Timothy Leary Chair of the Ozzie Ozbourne Psychotropic Endowment.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
  • Camelot
    Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:43am

    I agree. Seriously??

    Report Post »  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:45am

      Remember, you can’t be a racist if you are a liberal. Look at what they were saying about Herman Cain over the past week. Look at Harry Reid’s “light skinned *****” comment. Look at when they told Juan Williams to get back on the porch. You can say anything you want if you’re a liberal.

      http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the get hypocrisy moving video

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • SEC777
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 9:56am

      Lazy reporting by the Blaze. Aldridge doesn’t call it Black Thanksgiving. Mike Wilbon does, and Aldridge is reporting what a sportswriter says. Further more, after reading through the whole article, this is looking at All-Star Weekend as a cultural phenomenon and is most certainly not “racist.”

      There is enough real racism out there to address and confront without making junk up.

      Report Post »  
    • what4
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:01am

      They still do Basketball…..hmmmm??

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:14am

      @CnsrvtvJ

      Understand what you mean by “you are not a racist if you are a liberal.” I imagine quite a few of us have seen this happen in life, at one time or another. One lady pastor of a local lutheren church I work with on occasion is light skinned, yet of african american heritage, and I have heard her been called all sorts of white oriented slurrs from other african americans and from some caucasions as well.

      I get much of the same due to my darker skin from my mother (she was from India), and so the slurs to me are of the “Go back to mexico (or other countries)…” slurs. The liberals are the absolute worse of the self righteous ones, claiming to want liberty and openess for everyone, except those who will not conform to their limited spaces and ideals of what and where everyone fits into.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:19am

      I think I will vote for the Young ***** boy from LA in the slam dunk competion, because he talks normal.

      Report Post »  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:22am

      I’m black…and I’m like….whaaaa?!?!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:23am

      SEC777

      You miss the point. The question is
      do you do it on purpose?

      Here is a question that makes the point.

      If Sarah Palin had said this
      would you still be defending it?

      Report Post »  
    • BelowAverageJoe
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:24am

      SEC777, who is lazy? Aldridge quotes Wilbon as calling ASW the ‘Black Thanksgiving’ and that’s where the references to Wilbon end. The rest of the article is all Adridge’s writing and opinion.

      Report Post » BelowAverageJoe  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 10:49am

      @Snowleopard – I hear you. I think the toughest thing to be in our society today is a conservative with dark skin. Amazing since the KKK was started as a wing of the Democrat party in the south to intimidate conservatives. My how times have changed.

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:09am

      who the frick cares…

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • hud
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:10am

      Much to do about nothing

      Report Post »  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:21am

      Years ago, Jimmy The Greek list his football gig for the same basic stereotyping.

      Blacks just are built better for running backs?

      And now we get Bassa Ball Jones Weekend?

      As Rush might say “The media has been very desirous that a black sports weekend do well”.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:43am

      I saw Justin Beiber playing in an All Star game last night – he didn’t look very black to me. I hope they aren’t profiling.

      Report Post »  
    • npbreakthrough
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:45am

      i dont think this story has anything to do with racism………..

      but the talk here about the skewed standard of what is considered racist is a great topic…….
      so let me explain why liberals dont get called out on their potential racism as much as conservatives…..

      its because the liberals constantly practice the art of false witness……..

      if i am in a debate with an opponent, and my opponent says anything that can be closely related or misconstrued for racism, then i can in turn act very offended and either discredit or distract from my opponents goals……
      this works the same way for undermining political agendas, and movements

      by acting super offended when you are not, you are effectively “bearing false witness”
      thats why false witness is in the ten commandments, because it is very destructive.

      Report Post » npbreakthrough  
    • npbreakthrough
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 11:52am

      by the way…………..

      color of skin dosnt have anything to do with racism…….
      skin color is only the banner in which the most ignorant of the haters gather under

      in truth, contributing a negative stereotype to a generalized group of people in order to undermine their political will and aspirations

      is the true face of racism…………

      kinda like MSNBC @ tea partiers

      Report Post » npbreakthrough  
    • mcfinch
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 1:00pm

      I don’t see a problem 1st amendment rights.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website

      Report Post » mcfinch  
    • desertspeaks
      Posted on February 19, 2011 at 2:36pm

      Being an avid fan of Fox news, Glenn Beck et al; I am deeply concerned over the SHAM that fox news recently perpetrated against Ron Paul CPAC straw poll, in which Ron Paul WON the CPAC straw poll for president. Fox news aired the CPAC response from 2010 rather than the CPAC response from 2011 where the crowd breaks into cheers over the news that Ron Paul won the poll.
      Are we being played by Fox news as well???
      Yes I used the have a tip box at the bottom of all of the Blazes pages asking if they had the testicular fortitude to report THE TRUTH of what FOX NEWS DID.. their BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS RESPONSE, SAY NOTHING AND HOPE IT WILL GO AWAY, a page from obama’s play book. I am saddened by this travesty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwo0Iyrh1Zk&feature=player_embedded

      Report Post » desertspeaks  
    • sedition
      Posted on February 20, 2011 at 8:45am

      Brilliant and So True!!! I wish I could have thought of that, thats Hilarious..

      Report Post » sedition  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 20, 2011 at 8:50pm

      SINSTA my brother I am white and yet we can agree ???

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
1 2

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