The Good Rev. Sharpton Does Not Appreciate the Post's Use of the Word 'Noose' -- NFL FanHouse

The Good Rev. Sharpton Does Not Appreciate the Post's Use of the Word 'Noose'

Steve Serby is a writer for the New York Post, which means that lots of people read the things he writes on a regular basis. He recently used "Good for [Tom] Coughlin for tightening the noose around Plaxico Burress" as a sentence in the opening graf on a piece re: why Plax deserves to get punished by the Giants.

The problem with that sentence is, of course, that Burress is an African-American and the use of the word "noose" tends to have some pretty negative historical connotations. And, unsurprisingly, Reverend Al Sharpton is not exactly excited about Serby's work.

"To make such a blatant racist statement about an African-American football player with a neck injury is completely unacceptable," Sharpton said. "Clearly, the racial connotation is very disturbing. ... This is the verbal reflection of a hanging noose."

Sharpton said that if the Post did not acknowledge that the column was offensive, he would further highlight the issue but he did not specify what steps he would take. "They have to act swiftly," Sharpton said. "If we don't see action, I will lay out exactly what that is ... we would like to talk to someone there about whether it was the writer or editor who let this in."

Now, personally, I have no real business deciding whether or not the use of the word "noose" is offensive, at least in terms of my own genealogical background. However, I'm a little torn on this issue.

For starters, Serby and his editors probably should have rethought the phrasing of that entire sentence -- it's not blatantly racist by any means, but, much like invoking Hitler in any sort of analogy, using "noose" or "lynch" while referencing an African-American in any context never pans out too well.

However, I also tend to think that Sharpton is pretty egregious when it comes to seeking out trouble and stirring the resulting pot; my opinion of him in that regard has more to do with what I believe to be ulterior motives on his part.

The fact remains, though, that regardless of why Sharpton is taking up this crusade, Serby and the Post editors needed to rethink this entire line of reasoning. Unless he was just trying to pull a Simmons and get everyone really upset at him for the sole purpose of refusing to apologize.

(HT PFT)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

10-28-2008 @ 12:28PM

David Lapka said...

This article is wrong in that it is providing a platform for race-baiting. If Sharpton cries in the woods and nobody hears him, is he still a racist? Yes, but who cares?

Why isn't the entire story of Wayne Huizenga putting the Miami Dolphins up for sale immediately, because he doesn't want to pay Obama's Capital gains taxes, if he is elected? This is NEWS!!

The logical extrapolation of this would be that this will lead to a bursting of the entire Sports Franchise ownership bubble. Several other teams, and ultimately player salaries will be impacted by this thinking. That's NEWS!

Sharpton and Jackson race-bating? That's not the change we want or have been promised by either candidate.

10-29-2008 @ 5:33PM

josh said...

Should he have written "shorten his leash" instead? Ya know, because of the dog fighting thing. I suppose PETA would have called, and Al wouldn't have cared. Sad.

10-28-2008 @ 12:35PM

Mr.G said...

This is utterly ridiculous.If I were this writer,I would issue a statement telling Al Sharpton to go straight to hell where he belongs.

10-28-2008 @ 2:47PM

connie said...

And I totally agree with you! When did it become the right of the blacks to censor every word that whites say?

10-28-2008 @ 9:03PM

james mullan said...

on the nose!sharpton has proclaimed himself as professor of linguistics.there were many other races hung by the noose,the irish by the brits ,for example .it's time this pontificating blow-hard,shuts -up and/or gains a wider historical perspective .the "noose" is not just a black connotated word,jfm,ph.d english

10-28-2008 @ 12:53PM

Charlie said...

Al Sharpton, and I hate to bring politics to this blog (I come here to get away from all the politics), believes he is the spokes person for the African American Community. What he IS, is a self appointed antagonist who hides behind the title spokesperson. I know so many blacks that can't stand him because he does nothing but keep race in the air by constantly opening old wounds. I guess it would have been ok if Coach Coughlin tightened the noose on, say, Eli Manning or some white player. SO, with all that said, that was a good win for New York on Sunday, wasn't it?

10-28-2008 @ 12:52PM

Forest Gump said...

TWO WORDS FOR AL......Tawna Brawly.

10-28-2008 @ 6:57PM

Tomint said...

Thank you Al Sharpton. Everytime I forget to read racism into something, I can count on you to remind me. I remember reading that sentence about "tightening the noose" and I foolishly took it for what Serby meant. which is a very common term for keeping a more discreet eye on someone.
Racism will never go away as long as Sharpton is there to cry wolf.

10-28-2008 @ 1:26PM

The "Reverend" Mike said...

Why does everyone keep refering to Al Sharpton as Reverend Al Sharpton? Sharpton has no college degree in Theology from any University in the US unless it is an internet degree. He graduated from Tilden High School in Brooklyn, went a short time to Brooklyn College and dropped out. He was made a minister in a Pentecostal church when he was thirteen. He has worked for Jesse Jackson but does not deserve the media title of reverend or the respect that goes with it so quit calling a man who has NO formal training in Theology a reverend. HE IS NOT.

The man has made an ass out of himself starting with Tawana Brawley, exacerbated with the Duke Lacross team who he openly branded in the media guilty of sexual forced rape because the prosecutor wouldn't lie which he did, and because the girl was a divorced African-American mother who was a college student trying to make some money so she wouldn't lie, which she did, and Al was proved wrong. The Duke students charged should have sued him and ended his bs career once and for all, and now this bunch of crap rolling out of Al's mouth. Do your homework. Don't give the man a title he has never earned. Another example of Jackass Journalism at it's best.

10-28-2008 @ 5:26PM

Jerry Desaulniers said...

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are both enemies of the Black Man! They drag them down while trying to elevate themselves. I'm sure glad we are about to get a Black President so these two racist can sit down and shut up!

10-28-2008 @ 2:42PM

Arthur said...

Who really cares what Sharpton says. He is always at the cause of the problem, never at the cure.

10-28-2008 @ 2:48PM

Eddie said...

Mr Sharpton, why don't you act as offended when another "ignorant black man" gets all "uppity" with his coach and front office, promoting the stereotype and providing a horrible example for future generations of black athletes?

No no no, I'm sure the noose thing was far more offensive...

10-28-2008 @ 3:15PM

henry said...

what a piece of garbage... Al you had your 15 minutes, stop trying to stretch it....

10-28-2008 @ 3:27PM

Adam Silva said...

Al Sharton is as full of BS as they come. How was that racist? The word noose is not a racist word here is an article about a black hairstylist writen by a black using the word hang http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mood19-2008oct19,0,1531594.story why not get on their case. Sharton is a hate mongerer and people like him are bad for the country. He probably thinks Simpsons was innocent

Sharton is a joke he is racist himself. I guess black people when ordering soup at the restaraunt shoud refrain from asking for crackers. What fn BS guys like sharton need to be taken off the air. You Mr Sharton are an idiot

10-28-2008 @ 3:41PM

SanDiegoMark said...

Al Sharpton is the biggest racist I've ever seen. He's an attention-grabbing douchebag who does nothing but inflame discord between people.
Jennifer Hudson's family and relatives were just murdered. Where is Al? Shouldn't he be screaming about how a black boy and his mother were brutally murdered in cold blood? Oh, that's right, the gunman was also black, so I guess it's ok.
Sharpton is one of those names, that when I hear he's making noise about something, I immediately believe whatever the other side is.

10-28-2008 @ 4:47PM

Peter said...

Naturually Mr. Sharpton is not concerned with Mr. Burress' inability to respect authority and act civily towards his coach and other players. His sensibilities are only directed to any hint of racism no matter how far fetched it might be. He does more to take our community backwards than any other polarizing figure around.

10-28-2008 @ 3:42PM

sperry said...

Al Sharpton: Don't go looking for trouble and YOU won't find it!
Black people are so ashamed of him and Cynthia McKinney-Ghetto losers!!!!!! BTW-How is Tawna Brawly??? Al Sharpton isn't a REAL rev. anyway....He bestowed that title on himself back in the old days when it was Vogue to call yourself that as a black man. He is a Liar in the name of all that is Holy! Wonder if he will see St. Peter at the pearly gate trying to impersonate a reverend? Can't fool all the people all the time!!