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August 14, 2004
What's Wrong With This Picture?
This is one of the most critical litmus tests I have on America. If you can't understand this picture, I'm really out to slap you around. I put up with the shame and embarrassment of people dissing Moe Greene four years ago and I really am not having it any more. I wasn't having it then, but I'm also putting people on notice because the subtle subjects have pointed me in this direction again.
We have just been discussing 'Race: Public Dialog vs Single Combat' in the context of Dr. F's comment about blacks and Japanese vis a vis white respect. Here's cutting to the chase for you: When you see this picture, you need to shut up and salute. If there is anything in you that finds it difficult to accept that these Americans are the absolute best in the world at what they do and deserving of your unconditional support and respect, you need to get a sharp knife and cut it out. He who wins the gold makes the rules. So this is what it looks like. And if you can't respect that, then it's civil war.
Obviously, I get very exercised about this particular issue, because I think it is symbolic of the fate of African America and of America itself. I don't care who you think you might be, you cannot afford not to respect black men who triumph like this. And I might be betraying a mote of insecurity to think that there are those who don't get it, because I'm prepared to write vulgar threats. This one goes deep for me.
In my right hand is a pen. In my other hand is a CRKT M16-13Z. You don't want to know what it's like when a man like me doesn't have a country.
Posted by mbowen at August 14, 2004 11:47 AM
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Comments
I wish that Moe Greene above had the heart of Puzo's Green in Godfather 2. Instead of apologizing for being the absolute best in the world, and representing the flag in a way that resonates with most modern athletes, he would've punked the interviewer out.
"Do you know who the fuck I am? I'm MO GREEN."
Posted by: Lester Spence at August 14, 2004 12:30 PM
As a former sprinter, that picture said what sprinting is all about; AT-TA-TUDE.
From what I've seen, sprinters and fighter pilots share the same trait of cockiness.
Posted by: DarkStar at August 14, 2004 04:58 PM
I missed the brooharhar. Was there some backlash against Mo from Americans?? On what grounds?
Swagger? Like, what, that hasn't been a prominent feature of sport for the last, oh, 30yrs+? I don't get it.
Posted by: memer at August 15, 2004 05:51 AM
Yes, from Americans. Lemme see if I can find some obiter dicta.
Posted by: Cobb at August 15, 2004 05:09 PM
Not a thing.
The more I see it, the more I love it. This is America; an integral and important part of it: big, cocky, heavily-muscled, happy *winners,* of whatever color.
I think I'll put it in my top left corner photo, knuckleheads be damned.
Posted by: Juliette at August 15, 2004 10:23 PM
The first thing I thought you were going to complain about was wrapping themselves in the flag a' la Kid Rock at the Super Bowl (which some people did complain about, verily). No skin off my back, it's a free country and they're grinding it in the face of those who doubted their supremacy.
Dude, we're Americans. I'm just as proud of any of our athletes because they're Americans. The hell with any hyphen.
I gotta run--going to sea--but I'm with ya. Someone will always try to split a successflu group apart. Americans are successful. We *should* be proud!
Posted by: Chap at August 16, 2004 03:05 AM
It may be quite impolitic of me to say, but somehow I doubt there'd be the same nose-holding going on if it were Elvis up there wrapped in a Stars n stipes fabric. A braggadocio-powered lip-curlin sneer is acceptable of any superlative performance, no?
p.s. cobb, this thing never "remembers" me -- is it cuz I'm usin Firefox??
Posted by: memer at August 16, 2004 04:29 AM
Well, that's sorta what I was trying to say--Kid Rock was at the Super Bowl with a flag wrapped around him like a frickin' sweat towel, and some folks complained about it. It ain't Elvis, but you see what I'm saying?
Posted by: Chap at August 16, 2004 05:20 AM
May I still complain when that swagger is not accompanied by success? As in the US basketball team getting trounced by Puerto friggin' Rico?
Let me still have that...
Posted by: Christopher Cross at August 16, 2004 10:19 AM
I like the hyphen just fine; it doesn't get in my way at all. Fast as these gentlemen can run, I doubt it gets in theirs either.
Posted by: George at August 16, 2004 11:06 AM
As these men ran I sat on the edge of my seat with my pulse elevated. There is not one thing wrong with that picture, only right things; four of them.
And you don't NEED a hyphen.
Posted by: wes jackson at August 29, 2004 10:19 PM
Victorious American athletes celebrating being the best in the world. Perfectly normal.
Sports journalists asking stupid questions trying to make a name for themselves by creating controversy where none properly exists. Also perfectly normal.
Posted by: McGehee at January 12, 2005 08:16 PM