Leave it to ESPN’s Mike Wilbon to speak truth to power and ignorance.
This time he blew ignorance (Bernard Hopkins) out the water….
Bernard Hopkins may never live down his loathsome comments about Donovan McNabb. It was an embarrassing moment that has tarnished the boxer’s reputation.
While McNabb’s career has taken a slide, he is highly respected on and off the field. Questioning his racial temerity is akin to questioning his heart. You just don’t go there.
McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith released a statement today defending his clients character and honor.
It perpetuates a maliciously inaccurate stereotype that insinuates those African-Americans who have access to a wider variety of resources are somehow culturally different than their brethren…
Donovan’s parents are proud Americans who worked hard to give their sons the best childhood they could provide. He is unapologetically proud of sacrifices they made for him. Donovan and his brother were raised to be hard-working African-American men who were taught to believe in themselves. It is vital that we extinguish this brand of willful ignorance and instill in the minds of African-American youth regardless of the parental makeup of your household they can become anything they wish if they work hard and make the right decisions in life.
Sam and Wilma McNabb
Smith also gave kudos to Sam and Wilma McNabb, Donovan’s parents….
This notion that Black excellence is somehow soft or inferior must end. I don’t know any other race of people that chide academic and societal success in this manner. The contributions of Blacks in this country, and globally are OUTSTANDING and immeasurable.
Hopkins, and others who acquiesce to such ignorance need to get real.
