Politics

White George Allen Apologizes to Non-Sporty Black Reporter for Asking (Again) What Position He Played

Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:11am by Emily Esfahani Smith
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NBC 4’s reporter-anchor Craig Melvin is a tall African-American. Which apparently led to this exchange with former Sen. George Allen, according to Melvin’s Twitter account Tuesday night:

“For the 2nd time in 5 months, fmr. gov. and sen candidate George Allen asks me,”what position did you play?” I did not a play a sport.”

A Twitter feud! Not quite. George Allen, the former Republican governor of Virginia and current Senate hopeful, tried to put out the fire with an apology, relayed via twitter.

According to Mediaite, “the exchange in question likely occurred sometime off-camera during, or after, the filming of this report on Allen’s Senate run.”

National Journal:

Sure, it could’ve been an innocent question. Allen’s father, after all, coached the Washington Redskins. But when you have a history of calling people of color “macaca” (an epithet used by francophone colonialists in the Congo), it’s not going to look good.

Reason’s Tim Cavanaugh featured the moment in his “Today in Racism” story, calling Allen “Old Dominion’s gift that keeps on giving.”

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (69)

chris72sax
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 8:30am
The best thing to do is to ostracize this reporter. If politicians of conscience ignore and refuse to do interviews with reporters who act in this manner, they will learn to act like normal human beings rather than the charicatures they’ve become. Blacklist him. (No pun intended)
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jeffyfreezone
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 8:24am
I think the left is desperate these days.
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- moonpeace
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:37pm
  These days? They’ve been deperate since like 1963.
  Report Post »
Nepenthe
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 8:03am
Since this “news report” left it out I will add the little bit of info. Not that I think it will change any minds here. George Allen did not simply ask what position did you play in sports? He specifically asked what position did you play in football. Because, as Mr. Allen has shown in the past, he has specific view points about specific groups of people. To him, a tall black man must have, without question, played football. This builds off of his “macca” moment from previously and provides a window into his character.
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- RebelSon
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 9:27am
  I‘m glad you’re able to read his mind. You probably know for sure that if he was talking to a caucasion male reporter with the physique of Green Bay’s Clay Matthews that he would NEVER make the erroneous assumption that he played football at some point in his life, right? It doesn’t always have to be about race, and sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
  Report Post »
hightide
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:58am
Good grief. I’ve had about enough of everything being about race. And I’m not sure when this macaca thing started. I had never heard it till it was explained what it meant on TV. Reporter guy needs to get past the racism and get on with life.
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Gonzo
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:57am
George, quit trying to have a normal conversation with people that are out to see you fail. You need to treat any contact with the press as as if you were a defendent on trial. Because you are.
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DonaldH
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:03am
Allen just needs to shut-up and sit down,’ he brings NOTHING of value to the table that can will save our country
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- smithclar3nc3
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:31am
  WHO DOES? And give example.
  As a person from Virginia I can say this Allen had a balanced budget and was a very approachable Governor. He also wasn’t a lock step Republican who only towed the party line. It would certainly seem he brings more to the table than the current president.
  Report Post »
mcpbob
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 6:04am
how can anyone be offended by that comment? is everything racial now to the LEFT? is that all they got left? when i was in shape and a lot younger i used to be asked that question all the time
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sdeakins
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:47am
He didn’t play sports? What is he … gay?
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- spirited
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 10:33am
  just in case,
  don’t ask if he has a wife.
  Report Post »
TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:35am
WOW! The division bell tolls. The racism thing is getting stretched very thin. It exists, don’t get me wrong, but not EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK! As a musician, I’ve asked people if they played an instrument because they look the part and I like to meet other musicans, talk shop and learn about local people who could be potential band members. Actually, when my hair was long (and liked staying attached to my head!), strangers and new aquaintences would often strike up music conversations with me, no matter what color they might be and it was conversation, not racism! George Allen doesn’t seem like that strong of a presidential candidate to draw the tear down treatment, but I expect that the Democrats will be taking no chances and pointing their propaganda at everyone.
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Badjohnny
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:26am
This is what passes for racism today? Wow, what ever happened to the good old days of using the “N” word. Gee-sh.
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thestimulusmonkey
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 3:21am
Haha. Yet again y’all seem more offended over some random person making an accusation of racism than the person actually making the accusation. This all seemed like a misunderstanding, and isn’t really news, but here we go again with the race talk. Again, I ask, when are we all – blacks, white liberals, white conservatives, and heck lets throw some latinos, muslims, and gay people in there as well – about are feelings? Feelings are good. Lets talk.
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- thestimulusmonkey
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 3:24am
  Wow – I really should proofread; last sentence should read – “when are we all going to have a discussion about our feelings. Right now I am feeling dumb.
  Report Post »
drattastic
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 3:17am
Forgive me this, I am a staunch fiscal conservative but George Allen has always struck me as a complete phony. Granted my only real knowledge of him is his appearances with the talking heads but still that is my impression of him .By the way I don’t have a P.C. bone in my body ,so I couldn’t care less if he offended the reporter. Grow up .All people make assumptions about other people every day.I still think George Allen is a duchebag .I could be wrong ( just made that assumption )
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PATTY HENRY
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:30am
SOME OF THE 2nd TIER “CANDIDATES” need to find the FIRST LEVEL winner and get behind her (SARAH) and not waste donation $ or RNC money. DO their bit to help and get Ambassador’s or Cabinent job. Not everyone is cut out to be a PEOPLE’S CANDIDATE ! :)
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cookcountypatriot
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:24am
the reporter is offended because of that?? really? the spotted owl class are whiney…
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bkfirvine
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:09am
A long time ago, a black lady asked me if I was Australian (because I was wearing a T-shirt that said “Australia” on it). As we all know, Australia was originally an outlaw colony. I suppose I could’ve said to her, “Who are you calling an outlaw, b1tch!”
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bkfirvine
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 2:04am
George Allen asked the reporter AGAIN? Oh no!
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VENTVSBEATVS
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:41am
Ah, good-’ol-fashioned political correctness! It knows no bounds; no matter what you do, there’ll always be one person that hates you for no apparent reason.

Reminds me of a quote I heard a few years ago:
Is there no one who has a grudge against you? No one
who mocks you? No one who really needs you? Is there truly no one out
there who would kill you?
(Really makes you think huh?)
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Exrepublisheep
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:35am
no story
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Chileno trucho
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:25am
Both of my WHITE brothers are 6′5”, neither of them played ANY sports, they are asked what position they played all the time. I myself am 5′10” and have never been asked the same question. Could it be simply because he was tall and absolutely nothing to do with being black? If only George Allen could have made it easy on all of us and ran as a Democrat; then we all wouldn’t have to speculate about his OBVIOUSLY racist motives…. right?…. right???
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- DonaldH
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:04am
  good point
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Sunnyr
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:05am
What is WRONG with everyone these days? Allen was most likely just making conversation and the guys gets his panties in a wad. He sounds like a real jerk.

George Allen is a nice guy and I DO NOT believe all that balony about him being a racist. It was the typical “race card” ploy by the far left media dirtbags and the DemocRATS. Same old “election season” nonsense.
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- thebarbarian
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:47am
  yes he is a nice person. your right he’s not racist. he was very thought ful to my family and we’re American Asian.
  Report Post »
JQCitizen
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:02am
Waah, Waah, He offended me! Gosh, I am so SICK of hearing this crap! I predict that in one year Americans will FORGET to be offended; – they will have REAL problems to contend with.
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Woody858585
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:01am
Wow we are so sensitive. Why is this a big deal again, what am I missing.
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GreatAmericanBeckFan
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:01am
This is BS this pc crap has went far. He should just say if you are offended by that you are the one with the problem. You need to get a thicker skin and grow a pair.
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- thebarbarian
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:44am
  lmao that’s a great observation
  Report Post »
mrlogan3
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:00am
The reporter needs to cool out, not a big deal whatsoever.
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- Robert-CA
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:44am
  What are we turning into ? if I see a tall guy no matter what color he is I will ask him : do you play basketball ? WOW all this time I was a racist & I didn’t know it .
  Report Post »
Conservophiliac
Posted on April 8, 2011 at 12:58am
The reporter looks like he is in shape and probably played sorts. If that offends you better go hide in a hole somewhere.
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- Wino911
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:06am
  Amen!
  Report Post »
- Templar Knight
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:16am
  Most people play sports at one time or another even if they’re not on a team. I don’t see why anyone would get offended but I guess some do. I for one would take also it as a compliment though more than an insult.
  Report Post »
- sissykatz
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:29am
  I would think that to be a compliment if he were in good enough shape that one mistook him for an athlete. I say get over your big bad self.
  Report Post »
- nptden
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:34am
  This reporter needs ‘Sensitivity’ training. He‘s creating a ’hostile environment’ by making an innocent, complimentary question into a ‘racial’ issue. I believe the reporter is a racist, against ‘whites’.
  Report Post »
- cheezwhiz
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:39am
  fmr. gov. and sen candidate George Allen asks me,”what position did you play?” I did not a play a sport.”
  ————-
  and this is supposed to be racist ? Really ? Has this offendee ever tried to think OUTSIDE the stereotypes Sharptoon has drilled into him ?
  What if someone had asked him
  “ how is IT hanging ” ?
  Would that be racist too ?
  Report Post »
- thepatriotdave
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:40am
  Yeah but…
  
  This is another example of why he is a not-so-good politician. Allen sees everything through his own prism of life and doesn’t understand the tangled web of todays allowed PC terms. I’m sure he means no harn or offense, but pols today have got to be a little bit smarter than this.
  
  Freedom Jamboree – Press Release – This is gonna be HUGE!
  http://www.AmericasTeaPartyNews.com
  Report Post »
- thebarbarian
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 5:29am
  1 it’s a good thing that Allen is not a typical politician(think we’ve had enough of that already)
  2 the libs are still looking for anything to bury him
  3 they are trying to tear him down -it’s a fear thing for the libs (case in point Palin,Ryan,and Bachman)
  4 YES he has foot-in-mouth disorder at times. Was there once when it happened and had the opportunity to vent on some lib reporters.(that was great!)
  5 haveing the opportunity to speak with him on a few occations, i can tell you that he really is a good person. look none of us are going to find anyone out there that we will agree with 100% ofthe time. just need to keep on with what we do and the left is devoid of:respect.
  6 remember that they fear a conservative who believes in America and god
  7 that reporter needs some testosterone. he’s a bit too sensitive
  8 and final thought if he does read The Blaze, Don’t do an ovomit and go on an apology tour. just think before the words exit
  Report Post »
- decendentof56
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 6:11am
  You have to remember that the reporter was indoctrinated by the likes of Sharpton/Jackson/Farrakan/Wright. What else should he do but to look for hidden code for racism? This we can thank ‘rev’ Al for.
  Report Post »
- UPSETVET
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:31am
  Graig Melvin, as a TV Sports Reporter needs to take the racial chip off of his shoulder. Asking what position somebody may or may not have played in a sport isn’t a racial slurrrrrrr. Why does almost EVERYTHING have to have racial overtones Personally, I believe Graig Melvin needs to choose another line of employment. ”If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen “.
  
  Personally, if I were asked what position I played in sports, I would consider it as a compliment aimed at my physical condition and not at the color of my skin. Unfortunately, The Obamas have “fundamentally transformed America” , by their personal acts and comments with racial overtones and have set racial relations in the USA back before the 1960′s Civil Rights advancements.
  Report Post »
- jackrorabbit
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 9:19am
  Let me see, I am white, 6′4″ and everyone that meets me for the first time asks me if I played basketball. I did, but for a laugh I ask the short ones, why, did you play miniature golf? Sports playing questions does not equal anything other than curiosity. Either that or everyone that asks me must be racist against white men.
  Report Post »
- Jayk Signal
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 1:18pm
  I‘ve also found that some tall guys don’t laugh when you call them “shorty.”
  
  Life rule #63: Not everyone has a sense of humor.
  Report Post »
- moonpeace
  Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:35pm
  Well, by golly, well I mean, hell, man, I reckon he done had to be in perty good shape to outrun them there gangbangers every dawgone day..
  Report Post »
- tifosa
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:12am
  Sometimes when it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. I sense a theme with Mr Allen…
  Report Post »

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