The Cam Newton and Race Thread!

[Zod]

Is it possible to have a sensible and honest discussion on Cam Newton and how his selection relates to race? Can we discuss the realities of it in a civil manner without negativity?

I'll start:

- Are there white folks who do not want Cam mainly because he is a black QB? Yep.

- Are there black folks who do want Cam mainly because he is a black QB? Yep

- Do these two statements describe the majority of Panthers fans? Nope, not even close.

- Is it wrong for a black Panthers fan to hope for a black QB mainly because of his color? No, I don't think so. I think its natural for you to pull for someone you more closely identify yourself with to succeed in an area that has been a challenge historically. If I am being honest, I pull for Steve Nash mainly because I relate to Steve Nash and like to see him excel in a position where people who look like me typically do not. While this is racist by definition, its not exclusionary in that I still pull for plenty of black athletes as well. I do not exclude other players because of their race.

- Is it wrong to pretend to know what is in the heart of your fellow huddlers and accuse them of racism despite having no evidence as such? Absolutely, its plain wrong and immature. Once the race card is thrown out, all conversation ends and defensive posturing begins. Its intellectual tripe.

There are some thoughts of mine. Anyone want to comment?

Remember, lets keep this honest and civil. Can we do it?

[TheRealDeal]

What if we disguise accusations of racism with words like "establishment" and "_____" (word of the week), is that fair?

Or what if we use "winning" and "blacks" as interchangeable.

Example:

The "establishment" is against "winning" and that's why we don't want Cam.

[Carolina Husker]

Not sure, but I definitely don't want Mallett because he's the slowest black QB out there.

[The Saltman]

Not sure, but I definitely don't want Mallett because he's the slowest black QB out there.

I think I saw someone say this yesterday.

[Planiversal]

follow up on question 3 reversed for me:

- Is it wrong for a white Panthers fan to hope for a white QB mainly because of his color?

[Carolina Husker]

Yeah and it got nuked.

I WILL NOT GO SILENTLY INTO THE NIGHT

[Dpantherman]

no (but i do wish we could)

[PanthaSan]

It don't matter what color to me.

Hell, he could be purple or orange. Just as long as he knows how to pull out a win, that's pretty much all I care about........

[Sapper]

Were there many Panthers fans that didn't like Rodney Peete bc he was black?

[mav1234]

heh, didn't we have one of these posts a month or so ago?

[csx]

It's perfectly possible to have the discussion, maybe not here though. The audience here seems to be skewed towards the young and/or "challenged".

[Davidson Deac II]

Don't care what his color is, and I think he has as much chance of being a future star qb as Gabbert does (about 1 in 4). But I am a little wary of all the attention that will be focused on us if we do pick him, and the bust label that will be associated with the pick if he doesn't immediately perform.

[Zcustom]

I'm just sick of the Nostradomus' on here.

Too many definitive statements about draft prospects. We all know better.

That and "gut feelings", give me a break.

[Catalyst]

I'm white and want Newton to be our pick. I do think race has played a role in a lot of the comparisons Cam's been getting (namely Jamarcus Russell) because, TBH, I don't see any other significant similarities.

I do see the Vince Young comparison as a little more valid, but even then, Newton is pretty far ahead of where Young was as a pure passer and I don't think has nearly the work ethic and mental issues that Young has.