Richie Incognito
Dave Chappelle
I guess I just don’t get it ladies and gentlemen.
Miami Dolphin guard Richie Incognito (a Caucasian) may be all done as a professional football player because he blatantly referred to former teammate Jonathan Martin (a Black) by the ‘N’ word on text messages, as well as numerous other modes of communication. However, the harassment allegations against Incognito are sketchy at best. Incognito, as well as many of the other Dolphin players, said that the two – Incognito and Martin – were always the best of friends and when Martin left the team and returned to his hometown Los Angeles, he sent a text to Incognito basically stating that the reason he decided to quit pro football had nothing to do with him (Incognito), and everything to do with himself (Martin). So who the heck knows what exactly is “The Truth” regarding this current controversy surrounding the Miami Dolphins?
Incidentally, taking another look at the above photo, it’s too bad that great comedy actor Chris Farley (Tommy Boy, Saturday Night Live, etc.) passed away several years ago. Farley, I believe, would’ve been the absolute perfect actor in the starring role of, “The Richie Incognito Story” — assuming, of course, that some Hollywood genius someday turns this controversy into a movie. Incognito and Farley sort of look like twin brothers born of different mothers.
One double-standard appears apparent in this whole situation – when a Caucasian person, who happens to be a public figure, openly uses the ‘N’ word, jokingly or not, it will undoubtedly end their career and/or any business ventures they happen to be associated with. To most Americans, for Caucasian people to use the ‘N’ word is probably a much more heinous offense than blaspheming either God or Jesus Christ. However, when it’s a Black public figure referring to another Black person by the ‘N’ word, it seems to be a whole different bucket of worms. Or perhaps like a 180 degree flip-flop.
Meet comedian Dave Chappelle (a Black). The guy ended his rather successful show on the “Comedy Central” cable TV network – certainly NOT because of bad ratings – but to go on a personal hiatus from the entertainment industry about 10 years ago. Chappelle’s main schtick behind his whole comedy routine was referring to other Blacks by the ‘N’ word. And, oh by the way, the vast majority of Chappelle’s audience, along with his guests like Wayne Brady, were Black people. Yet you never seen or heard anything against Chappelle for degrading or humiliating other Black people by always referring to them by the ‘N’ word. Go figure on that one.
My two young sons (both Caucasians) who sort of liked “Chappelle’s Show” back when it aired on Comedy Central, I felt compelled to confront both of them and say, “Do NOT EVER let me hear about you guys using the ‘N’ word to a Black person in your school, neighborhood, or anywhere else!” Depending on what career fields they chose to pursue, for either of my sons to liberally use the ‘N’ word when referring to Black people, their futures could be potentially over before they ever begin.
$64,000 Question: A tale of two guys who experienced (or, with Incognito, about to experience) two completely opposite results of their liberal usage of the ‘N’ word – Richie Incognito and Dave Chappelle – Is there a blatant double-standard in America when one of these individuals absolutely thrives financially, while the other, in all likelihood, will permanently be banned from his profession?
I don’t know if popular Black comedian Bill Cosby was ever asked about this situation, whose highly successful TV sitcom, “The Cosby Show”, ended about the same time “Chappelle’s Show” began, featured himself playing the role of a Doctor while his wife was playing the role of a Lawyer, I can only assume to give American Black people a hope to a successful future beyond just the ghetto lifestyle.
After the late great Black comedian Redd Foxx had passed away, I remember watching an entertainment feature on his arguably most successful TV gig, the sitcom “Sanford and Son”. It was mentioned on that feature one of the stipulations Foxx DEMANDED from the producers of that show. Foxx would ONLY agree to do “Sanford and Son” – which was a show about a father-son team of trash collectors – as long as they didn’t have him eating fried chicken, watermelon, or any other food item that’s stereotypical with Black people. “I don’t eat that stuff at my home, and the character of Fred Sanford’s not going to eat that in any of the scenes on that show,” Foxx said.
So by contrast, Chappelle set the American Black people back about 50 years when it comes to equal rights and respectability, YET, the Black people embrace this guy as if he was the funniest comedian. Incognito is probably viewed by most Black people as one of the most HATEFUL AND DISPICTABLE individuals on the planet. In addition to being permanently banned from pro football, Incognito should probably be given a lengthy prison sentence or something like that.
Yet, what’s the difference – if any – between Chappelle and Icognito???
One Bad Decision Away From Homelessness 