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(Update: On Jan. 9, the Golf Channel suspended Tilghman for two weeks for "lynch" remark.)The Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman has an interesting sense of humor, and by interesting I mean not in the least bit funny.
During Friday's telecast of the Mercedes-Benz Championship, Tilghman joked on the air that golf's young players should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley."
Ha, ha, ha ... wait a sec, that's not ... funny. It's particularly not amusing, as one can imagine, to African-Americans. (Check out the history of lynching here and here . Note to Kelly: it's not so funny, it's not a joke.)
One can follow the assumption that Tilghman was trying to say other golfers have no shot at beating Tiger Woods unless he's not playing. However, why anyone would use the word "lynch," a dark racist practice, one that continued well into the 20th century, to convey such a thought doesn't quite add up.
Maybe Kelly Tilghman, who grew up in South Carolina and received a golf scholarship to Duke, is racist. Maybe Kelly Tilghman isn't a racist. Perhaps she has "lots of black friends." Perhaps the closest she's ever been to a black person is watching an episode of 'Everybody Hates Chris.' Who knows? Yet, her comments were not only in poor taste; they were idiotic and showed a complete disregard for history.
Perhaps learning from Don Imus' mistakes, Tilghman issued an on-air apology during Sunday's final round and promptly reached out to Woods' reps to further apologize. Tilghman also released a statement, in which she said: "I used some poorly chosen words. I have known Tiger for 12 years and I have apologized directly to him. I also apologize to our viewers who may have been offended by my comments."
What's Tiger Woods take on the matter?
According to Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, "It is a complete non-issue. Kelly and Tiger are friends. It might have been a poor choice of words, but there was absolutely no ill intent whatsoever."
Obama's running for president, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is around the corner, yet Tilghman's comments prove the struggle is far from over.
But if Tiger Woods' is OK with it, are you?
Comments: (225)
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By: Fe on 1/10/2008 9:30AM
That was not a poor choice of words. If that man was not black(on the outside)she would have not used the word "lynch". She has no idea what that word means for real black people.(Tiger has no clue which is why he was not upset.) There was time( in the not so distant past) he would not have been allowed to play and if he did & beat a white boy- whites would have felt justified in LYNCHING him and would have gotten away with it. That is worse than "nappy headed hoes" --Sticks & stones & LOOSES may break my neck but names will never hurt me.-- She should be suspended without pay and forced to read "Cursade for Justice" the autobigraphy of Ida B. Wells(out loud on the steps of Lincoln Memorial) and then FIRED.
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By: Ellen on 1/10/2008 1:30PM
I Think everyone needs to get a sense of humer. Also
a life.
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By: jomer on 1/10/2008 9:34AM
Tilghman's apology does not go far enough. Her 'statement' indicates an apology to Tiger and to her "viewers", but leaves out the many good Americans, black, white or other, who find her 'lynch' comment very offensive and totally unacceptable at any time, but clearly on television before a broad audience. More specifically, an apology to Tiger is NOT an apolgy to Black Americans who grow weary of these mistakes(?) but know they reflect an attitude that should have no place in America in the 21st century. I find it an inexcusable and highly offensive reflection of Tilghman's acceptance of a subtle form of racism that too many have not taken the time to learn just how painful it is to some of us. Two weeks is not enough; four would have been better and some sensitivity training wouldn't hurt either.
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By: Sharee on 1/10/2008 9:36AM
Kelly should be fired for the comment on "lynching" Tiger Wodds. Woods again have proven that he is the bigger and better man. If his father were alive he would be upset, and I am sure would want to comment further on the issue. Wen as African Americans still have a long way to go and with Obama running for President, I sure this comment or another one similiar will again plague us. We must stay focused and strong.
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By: xddy4u on 1/10/2008 9:40AM
Hold on folks. I know you all have a an axe to grind with this "melting pot" society. First, all those who watch the golf channel religiously, step forward (I'm one, so I'll step forward). Now the rest of you can leave the room. Because you don't know Tilghman. She is the most straight-forward of all the anchorpersons.
She adores Tiger. How many of you have seen her on "The Grey Goose"? Out of all the heated aurguments, has she ever made or came close to making a racist statement? Let it go folks. Al sharpton who is championing the cause, if he's so much for the black "cause", why hasn't he openly endorsed Obama, the first "man of color" to have a real chance of winning the White House? People, this is blown way out of context. Peace
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By: Chingy on 1/10/2008 9:39AM
Where da Reverends Al n Jesse? Where da revs I wants ta know where da revs?
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By: Julius Bannerman on 1/10/2008 9:44AM
Absolutely, she should be fired for such comments. It doesn't matter how best friends she is with Woods, fire her now. That is my opinion.
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By: Tay on 1/10/2008 9:45AM
The comment that was made was just moronic, the fact that she used the word lynch to describe that situation was purely ignorant of her she could have just blantly said: "If Tiger is playing, you don't have a chance" and the fact that Tiger Woods is her friend and he was not the least bit upset about that is probably because they probably make jokes like that all the time among themselves and since he is half-black it isn't an issue to him, However people in the media should watch what they say because viewers are not their friends and they will not be forgiven for what they say to us like they would with their friends.
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By: PEACHES on 1/10/2008 9:48AM
If this comment was stated about a jewish person, being thrown in a fire pit,it would be a horrible thing to say. My point is people in the public need to think before they speak, no one wants to be reminded of AMERICA'S dark history. GOD is the key to heaven,and the devil lives on earth.
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By: jds on 1/10/2008 9:52AM
the struggle continues? WHAT struggle?????? blacks have every opportunity in this country just like whites do. if there is racism against blacks, well, there is also huge racism from many blacks against whites too!! if blacks in this country are beingheld down still it is by the actions of OTHER BLACKS!! DEFINITELY. It's time for blacks to STOP with the we shall overcome NONSENSE!! It's a different day and those worlds are played out, the sympathy for american blacks is GONE. It's time to step up, black people, and get with the program! pakistani's, chinese, mexicans, etc etc etc all come to this country and thrive with their own buineses, etc etc etc. they work hard and save their money. they MAKE opportunity for themselves. So why dont inner city american blacks do the same thing??
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