In a time when America just can't seem to put a lid on its unrelenting racial issues, Golfweek thought they had the solution, breathing new life into the widely publicized noose cases that died out over the holidays.The magazine's cover was in reference to the Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman's comment that young golfer's should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley," as a way to stop his dominance. Tilghman was suspended by two weeks and has issued two apologies to Tiger Woods, who brushed it off as a "non-issue."
"Was it an arresting image? Yes, it was," Golfweek editor Dave Seanor told USA Today. "We chose it because it was an image we thought would draw attention to an issue we thought deserved some intelligent dialogue."
Intelligent dialogue is one thing, but when you knowingly feature such a polarizing symbol on the cover of your magazine, just to sell copies, that's irresponsible. The Jena six controversy sparked a domino effect revealing a litany of idiots 'rediscovering' the noose as across America, hanging them everywhere from offices to teacher's lounges.
Sadly, there have been so many noose incidents, that DiversityInc.com has been able to populate a national "noosewatch."
Despite the fact that the magazine's parent company has made a swift move to replace the editor of the magazine, the bigger issue is that the editors of a national publication thought it would a good idea to even put nooses on the cover in the first place.
"We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country," Turnstile Publishing Co. president William P. Kupper Jr. said. "We were trying to convey the controversial issues with a strong and provocative graphic image. It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic," according to to the Associated Press.
Hmm, that's apology number? Black America seems to be losing count of people making these public faux-pas' and then recanting only after realizing that they said or did something inappropriate.
It's a forgone conclusion that a serious dialogue on race needs to take place in golf as well as America, but a noose on a golf magazine probably isn't the best starting point.
Comments: (109)
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By: Elisha on 1/23/2008 11:15AM
It's amazing to me that some white people have the nerve to still say how we, as African-Americans, need to get over the horror of slavery, jimcrow, and current institutional racism. I never hear white American's tell the Jews to get over the proposed genocide that happend in Germany. Why, because they feel no accountability to what happened to them or us! Not only would the editor of the golf magazine been fired, if they had made a negative reference to the Jews, but the magazine would have been shut down completely. If we as a people would began to work together as a united people, we could stomp out this foolishness economically. We can't change the heart of a man who is a throw back to his day but we can rise up and impact this world for the greater good!
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By: Tired of poor me attitude on 1/23/2008 4:45PM
#82, you are the a fantastic responder. Your words should be read by everyone on these posts.
#83, Elisha, you DO need to move on. Don't forget it but GET THROUGH IT. The Jews were slaves for a thousand years before blacks were slaves. They were killed in higher numbers in history, they don't forget either. They shouldn't. But the Jews have risen above it and have thrived.
I am unfamiliar with "institutional racism" and would really like to see what it is. I don't know anyone who has not been hired, denied housing or assaulted because they were another race than "White". I haven't even heard the word "Nig---" from a White person in many years. I hear it all the time from Blacks. Personally, I have hired EVERY black person to ever apply for a job. I just don't see it.
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By: cookie brown on 1/23/2008 9:03PM
Get over it Tiger accepted the apology he says he can't be a part of all issues atheletes in this era have not had major struggles if he can deal with it everyone else should to.
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By: Lynn on 1/24/2008 11:35AM
Why are people getting mas at WHITE PEOPLE.
They can't do better because they don't know better.
They have always been afraid of another race getting ahead of theres. They started off stealing. All in history whites have had to lie,steal,rape,kill, and still WE RISE.
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By: C. C. on 1/24/2008 9:24PM
I really don't understand why some of you are bitching that there are "non-blacks" looking or posting on a "black website". Heaven fucking forbid! I'm mixed (white, black, puerto-rican, german, irish, english, spanish indian....almost everything but asian). Does that mean I can't be on this site? That I can't watch VH1 or Mtv? That I can't watch Telemundo? Hmmm....I can't do anything can I? Listen people....Words and pictures have neither strength nor meaning unless you give them that power! If someone calls me a "nigger" or a "spic", I shrug it off. Those words weigh nothing on me. Shit, my husband's white, we joke around calling each other racial slurs. Why? THEY MEAN NOTHING TO US! People need to grow up...slavery is done and over with...."Whitey" owes you nothing! A noose is just a piece of rope. Also, a swastika was actually a cross used many MANY years ago that the Germans took and used it for something evil.
The End.
P.S.
GROW UP!
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By: So Sad on 1/24/2008 10:33PM
Question...If this comment were made by a German Native speaking about placing a Jewish golfer in a camp to stop his success would that also result in a 2 week suspension?? Would it be correct to say Jewish people should "get over" the Holocust and stop being so sensitive??
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By: WENDY on 1/25/2008 7:16PM
I agree with Jim Brown. See his comments: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/24/jim-brown-thinks-tiger-woods-is-too-politically-correct/?ncid=NWS00010000000001
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By: WENDY on 1/25/2008 7:19PM
I agree with Jim Brown. See his comments: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/24/jim-brown-thinks-tiger-woods-is-too-politically-correct/?ncid=NWS00010000000001
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By: jim on 1/25/2008 7:42PM
GET OVER IT. this was told to me by a friend by the way is BLACK.WHERE DOES A BLACK WOMEN HIDE HER WELFAIR CHECK.IN HER HUSBANDS WORK BOOT"S BECAUSE HE NEVER PUT"S THEM ON?
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By: Yve K on 1/25/2008 9:57PM
I think the publishing of the noose on the cover of that magazine was insensitive and out of touch with today's values.
We are in a world of mixed marriages and blended families etc. I think that we need to get away from the stereotypical thoughts and all of the name callings.
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