The part of Reggie White's legacy the NFL would want you to forget
King Daevid MacKenzie
by Michael Jensen
WHEN IS HIS INDUCTION TO THE BIGOTS HALL OF FAME?
One of the early harbingers that the pro football season is right around
the corner is the NFL's Hall of Fame ceremony where new members are
inducted. Leading the pack of inductees this year is the late Reggie
White of the Green Bay Packers who died of a respiratory attack in 2004.
No doubt sports pages are going to be lauding White for his talents both
on the field and off. Sadly, his off-the-field exploits included his
often-homophobic work as a minister. That's one bit of info you probably
won't be reading too much about.
So allow me to refresh your memory.
White appeared in a series of ads denouncing gay rights and gave an
anti-gay speech to the Wisconsin legislature. Among the things White
said about gays are gems including we are like “backstabbers and
malicious people”, “liars and cheaters”, were “hurting our children”,
and that being gay “is a decision, it's not a race.”
There is no question Mr. White knew how to sack an opposing quarterback.
Too bad he didn't know squat about being a thoughtful, tolerant person.
+++ +++ +++
excerpt from http://www.fcnp.com/622/besen.htm
In a similar manner, former football star and conservative preacher
Reggie White started speaking the truth before his untimely death in
2004. White was upset about the way he was used by the far right to
promote religion. In 1998, he even took part in a virulently anti-gay ad
campaign that said gays could go straight through Scripture." Really, in
many respects I was prostituted," White revealed to NFL Films.
On Saturday, White will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, one
of his great achievements was not on the defensive line, but bucking the
religious right's party line.
+++ +++ +++
excerpt from http://www.fcnp.com/619/besen.htm
The Dozier incident is reminiscent of 1998 when the extreme right teamed
up with the late football star and preacher Reggie White to bash gays.
In a speech to the Wisconsin State Legislature, White proclaimed that
Asians can turn a TV into a watch, blacks excel at celebration and
dance, Latinos can fit 20 or 30 people into one house, and whites are
great with money.
--
King Daevid MacKenzie, WLSU-FM 88.9 La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
heard Sundays 8:00 A.M. PST/PDT over KRFP-LP 92.5 Moscow, Idaho and at
http://www.krfp.org/documents/listen_windowsmedia.asx
archived in mp3 at http://www.radio4all.net
http://www.myspace.com/kingdaevid
"You can live in your dreams, but only if you are worthy of them."
HARLAN ELLISON
npu...@beans.com
Shrike!
> Sadly, his off-the-field exploits included his
> often-homophobic work as a minister. That's one bit of info you probably
> won't be reading too much about.
Yep, this was the first mention of it that I've seen since it was
current news while Reggie was alive.
It can't be denied that he caused pain to folks other than opposing
team members.
--
Trout Mask Replica
zeag...@yahoo.com
divisive remark by his son, Jeremy White:
"First I'd like to thank god, but I'd like to specify WHICH god. I am
only thanking the god of Joseph, Abraham, and Isaac."
Good lord. Frankly, White was a stellar football player, but he was an
ass of a human being. Anyone remember his speach before the Wisconsin
legislature? Where he went on and on and on (as the crowd listened in
growing horror and disbelief) about how each culture had their own
special qualities, and then identified just about every cultural
stereotype there is (e.g., the Mexicans are very "family oriented"
because they all live together in tiny rooms). The world is a better
place without him.
His son has not escaped White's legacy of narrow-mindedness.
MGW
> And the legacy continues ... how about that incredibly insensitive and
> divisive remark by his son, Jeremy White:
>
> "First I'd like to thank god, but I'd like to specify WHICH god. I am
> only thanking the god of Joseph, Abraham, and Isaac."
Hey, you wouldn't want the wrong god to think it's being addressed,
would you? Imagine if Loki thought he was being thanked for all his
mischief, or Zeus for unleashing some thunderbolts - it might wreak
havoc ;-P
--
MGW (Note: my Hotmail address is seldom checked)
Hofstadter's Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even
when you take into account Hofstadter's Law. - Douglas Hofstadter