tl;dr- The Undefeated published an article that defies rationality.

Out of curiosity, recently decided to read a few articles The Undefeated. Now, I know the site wasn't written for me and it's not something I'm forced to read. However, I read ESPN a lot and the site is heavily promoted when I scroll through the main site.

I knew most articles on the site had liberal biases, but I stumbled upon one titled, "Why we must stop pushing black athletes to use their platforms." I figured maybe this was a different opinion that went againist the "stay woke" crap the site peddles. And for a second it seemed like this would be a good critical look at athletes and how political/social issues affect them.

Well, I was dumb for assuming such.

quote:
Should we black folk abandon our push for black athletes to vocally address racial issues?

I must answer yes. The prodding of athletes to use their platform impairs our cause more than it aids it for two main reasons: It is premised on a decrepit way of thinking that we should let perish, and it forces the uniform of the racial justice advocate onto those who tend to wear it poorly.

I am not claiming that black athletes should just keep quiet and ball, but rather that we should withdraw our blanket call to action. Black athletes can utter whatever they wish and we should wrestle with their positions as warranted. They should not, however, feel compelled to speak because we petitioned them to do so.

Ok, that sounds like it could be a refreshing or interesting position. Maybe they may mention about LeBron not commenting much on Tamir Rice situation or stuff like that.

quote:
As evidence, my mind darts, every time, to Richard Sherman’s dim and troubling Black Lives Matter statements from last September.

Oh no, I fell for it.

quote:
“We need to solidify ourselves as people and deal with our issues,” he insisted. “I think that as long as we have black-on-black crime, and one black man killing another. If black lives matter, then they should matter all the time.”

Fiery arrows of criticism soared in from all directions toward Sherman, including the unlikely locale of his own locker room. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett stated that Sherman “misinterpreted” the point of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Bennett was right.

Violence in black communities — something blacks do discuss internally — is a separate issue from the social ill of police brutality.

Seperate issue huh?

quote:
Many prematurely launched Sherman into the ranks of all-time great sports activists when he argued whites often hurl “thug” at black athletes because the N-word carries far too heavy of a cultural baggage to throw. And when he indicted former Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly for having racial biases, Sherman, from some sectors of the black intelligentsia, garnered even more shine. Yet, in maligning the Black Lives Matter movement, in many blacks’ eyes, he dimmed the luster he previously earned.

Now why does criticism of a movement warrent a complete dress down of him?

quote:
Brando Simeo Starkey is an associate editor at The Undefeated and the author of In Defense of Uncle Tom: Why Blacks Must Police Racial Loyalty. He crawled through a river of books and came out brilliant on the other side.

Ah, that makes sense. Only someone that dumb could end with this scorcher:

quote:
We should urge athletes to develop a nuanced understanding of the issues that our current condition demands. Those pursuing this righteous and serious journey should stand proudly on their platform and shout.

But the general request for athletes to use their platforms?

We must kill it.

"I urge you to be an activist if you agree with my beliefs, but I am not requesting such at all."

I made the mistake of reading the article on that site, but now I know to not ever go their for sports journalism ever.