A more thoughtful take on Moon, Cam, and Race

[top dawg]

Unlike a somewhat ludicrous and disingenuous "racism test", Dan Wetzel's piece is a more intelligent, enlightened, respectful, and racially sensitive way to come at this whole situation

His column makes it more about Cam (where it should be).

Race is a sensitive and complicated matter to discuss, especially on a national scale through the instant-feedback modern media. A 21-year-old QB trying to show teams he can move past numerous off-field dramas doesn’t appear to be the ideal vehicle.

Which is why I scoff at the way this issue has been handled on this forum from the very start.

While honest discussions of race should be welcomed in society, getting Cam Newton drafted isn’t about society – it’s about business. Navigating the waters of the pre-draft process, where millions of dollars are literally at stake, requires a plan. That’s one reason Moon was brought in. He seemed like a perfect adviser for Newton.

Instead he put his guy in the middle of the fire. Debating racial bias is a delicate task; the third-rail of America. Why make Newton have to answer questions about it, where one misspoke word can stick with him forever?

Yeah, Moon is probably off base in this regard, and probably should have left this race debate out of it all together (just like I was hoping that smarter minds would not have egged it on in this forum).

Nawrocki, who denies race was a factor in his evaluation of Newton, may or may not have been too tough on Newton.

Which is what some of us were trying to focus on, but others want to take the race card and run with it.

Then there is this: Moon’s opinion is too easy for critics to dismiss. Moon may indeed be right about race factoring in certain critiques of Newton. The problem is quarterbacks of all color tend to get treated unfairly.

How true.

But, in Moon's defense, he did say, "I don’t see other quarterbacks in the draft being criticized by the media or fans about their smile or called a phony." And I believe this is really what set Moon off. And, this is what really should be the crux of the racial debate (IMHO). Comparing only the real football related stuff in regards to racism is really not the point, it's the phony smile stuff, etc. that's arguably the problem. Now, Mallet, and our very own Clausen may be better comparisons in this regard. I don't know about Mallet (because I really haven't made him my business), but I do believe that Pickles was treated unfairly as a kid coming out of college. So, comparing Cam to Clausen (and Mallet, from what I have gleaned) in regards to whether or not some of Cam's critics are racially motivated, is a little more intellectually honest than comparing a bunch of arbitrary statements within draft evaluations. But, even still, you can't completely discount what Moon is saying.

With Newton, Moon sees race as a factor. Others certainly won’t. There will be a backlash.

And, this is the unfortunate part. We're focusing more about other issues than just about Cam Newton's ability to play QB for this team.

[Highlandfire]

It's not about Race at all. It is pathetic for anyone to pull the race card in 2011. Some don't want to believe it, but maybe....just maybe a 'minority' just isn't the right person for the job.

GASP!!!!

Yeah sorry but true. Anyone pulling the race card is doing so because they are racist and or they got nothing else.

Oh and Cam's smile? the first time I saw it change to the bull poo smile he has right now is when he went on the field pre game against Alabama maybe? Right after the NCAA declared he could play and wouldn't be suspended for his part in what his dad did. Right then and there I saw the 'I can't believe I got away with this poo' smile he has.

[Jackofalltrades]

All I read was: blah blah blah

[Highlandfire]

All I read was: blah blah blah

No, I read some yada yada yada mixed with the blah blah blah. You must be racist for missing it....

[InDaZone]

If I'm picking teams for a game of pickup basketball... and I know nothing about the people i'm picking... I'd pick the black guy over the white guy.

Does that mean i'm racist?

I just want to win...

[top dawg]

If I'm picking teams for a game of pickup basketball... and I know nothing about the people i'm picking... I'd pick the black guy over the white guy.

Does that mean i'm racist?

I just want to win...

No, it's just being real. LOL

[countryboi]

If I'm picking teams for a game of pickup basketball... and I know nothing about the people i'm picking... I'd pick the black guy over the white guy.

Does that mean i'm racist?

I just want to win...

uh yea thats pretty racist but hey whatever

[tjmurray]

If I'm picking teams for a game of pickup basketball... and I know nothing about the people i'm picking... I'd pick the black guy over the white guy.

Does that mean i'm racist?

I just want to win...

I couldn't help but laugh at this. Lol, this was too funny. You pick me in a game of basketball if you want. You ain't winning a damn thing with me on your team... I can't hoop @all.

Top Dawg I really dig you. I just read another thread this morning and I must say that you are a lot better than me. I couldn't be going back and forth with a goddamn fool all day like you did yesterday. My mom always said don't argue with fools. But you are one of several people on here that I respect. Big props to you....

[teeray]

There are some truly insensitive sh#t on this board sometimes. I don't necessarily believe Cam was unfairly treated bc of his race. But the way some of you react is saddening. I think people on this board's desire to attack Cam Newton or probably more likely the Newton Huggers has clouded some of you guy's judgment.

[Lumps]

No, it's just being real. LOL

That's racial prejudiced. If you consider this, 5 guys who robbed the store. I'd pick the black one, is that racist? No, it's prejudice. Maybe 'racial prejudice? It's a negative connotation so it's deemed racist by people who just spew racist in the event of anything but the truth is connotation can be positive as well as negative and still be prejudiced, because it is already assuming a prejudice about someone, a certain race. Does negative connotation equate to hate? Not necessarily just like a positive on does not equate to love. The definition of racism is to hate another race, I don't think that qualifies.

My team would kick your ass though because I'd chose all the Mexican/Spanish kids.

[teeray]

If I'm picking teams for a game of pickup basketball... and I know nothing about the people i'm picking... I'd pick the black guy over the white guy.

Does that mean i'm racist?

I just want to win...

I'm white. If you chose the black guys over me in hoops you would have lost. :)

[tjmurray]

There are some truly insensitive sh#t on this board sometimes. I don't necessarily believe Cam was unfairly treated bc of his race. But the way some of you react is saddening. I think people on this board's desire to attack Cam Newton or probably more likely the Newton Huggers has clouded some of you guy's judgment.

No doubt about it... I just noticed that this dude "smash-and-dashgash" called me a *** in my control panel because I am a Newton fan. That speaks volumes to the type of people on this site. I know that there are some sorry ass mofos on here that have too much time on their hands. Any mofo who starts a fugin race quiz thread need to get a fugin life. That type of shii has no place on this or any other sports forum.

[top dawg]

I couldn't help but laugh at this. Lol, this was too funny. You pick me in a game of basketball if you want. You ain't winning a damn thing with me on your team... I can't hoop @all.

Top Dawg I really dig you. I just read another thread this morning and I must say that you are a lot better than me. I couldn't be going back and forth with a goddamn fool all day like you did yesterday. My mom always said don't argue with fools. But you are one of several people on here that I respect. Big props to you....

Thanks, TJ. I wouldn't necessarily call the man a fool. At worst, I believe that the "goddamn fool" that you refer to (LOL) is just ignorant, and at best, racially insensitive. But, you know, my main problem with the whole thing is that as opposed to respecting what I was getting at, he continued farther down the path, completely disregarding my feelings on the matter. When it comes to race, it's a very difficult subject to discuss, but being that it has been a calling of mine for years (in one form or another), I always try to discuss it from a good place, and with a good heart.

[Jackofalltrades]

Race has nothing to do with my disdain for Cam, it's based solely on his legal and ethical issues.