Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Tells Mike Vick to "Lay off the fried chicken"

[Bill Dungsroman]

No, really. (http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/Lay_Off_The_Fried_Chicken_Mike/42444) Sports talk radio is all abuzz about this wacist slur. I need qt3's moral compass to guide me over whether or not I should be outraged.

[jeffd]

I was a bit shocked about that one when he said it. I don't necessarily think it's worthy of outrage - I was more surprised that someone as prominent as him didn't know to watch what he said.

[JPR]

What's the problem? Black people love fried chicken.


Michael Vick is black, right?

[Nick Walter]

I heard that live and didn't realize there was a racist slant to it. I just assumed Mike Vick liked fried chicken.

[Slainte Mhath]

I kind of assumed Art just knew Vick well enough to know what his favorite food was, I mean they were paling around like old drinking buddies back in the days when Vick was still seen as the savior of the Falcons and Blank was his biggest fan. Still, even if it's that innocent, Blank should be world-wise enough to realize how racist the comment could sound.

[Rimbo]

Blank knew exactly what he was saying when he said it. He should be lynched.

That said, I don't get the fried chicken/watermelon thing. I -adore- both, and I'm white as a mayonnaise sandwich. And KFC is huge in China, and among the Chinese as are watermelons (there's even a whole book dedicated to the Chinese obsession with watermelons (http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Tiger-Robert-Abel/dp/9627160504/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197406827&sr=1-7)).

[Bill Dungsroman]

Blank knew exactly what he was saying when he said it. He should be lynched.

That said, I don't get the fried chicken/watermelon thing.
Are you from the South?

[Post-It]

I am, and newsflash! EVERYONE in the South loves watermelon and fried chicken; black, white, brown, purple, whatever.

[Shadarr]

I don't get why he said it at all. Is Vick going to be able to get fried chicken in prison? He should've told him to lay off the buttsex.

[Dirt]

It's only racist if Arthur Blank isn't black.

Edit: Where is the outrage over this?...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLJxMzoXdY

[snowcrash22]

The only thing I can tell from Blank's comment is that Michael Vick never cleaned out a commercial chicken fryer and Blank is concerned for his well-being.

[Robert Sharp]

We love both in the South. There's a KFC and Popeyes on every corner (yeah, the same corner). People sell watermelons on the street.

It's like Eden down here.

[Dirt]

I miss Pioneer Chicken.

[Shadari]

I am, and newsflash! EVERYONE in the South loves watermelon and fried chicken; black, white, brown, purple, whatever.
We like that stuff up north too. :)

[awdougherty]

I just assumed that since he said fried chicken and fries, he might have known what Vick likes to eat (seems like fried chicken would have been enough just to be racist).

[Shadarr]

Edit: Where is the outrage over this?...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLJxMzoXdY
Would you even be outraged if he'd said Japanese instead of Chinese?

[BennyProfane]

Forget KFC and Popeye's (or Churches, for that matter). If you want really disgusting, dripping with grease fried chicken in the south, go to Bojangles. That stuff is NASTY!

[skedastic]

It's like Eden down here.
http://www.charlesnapier.com/gallery/pics/char64.jpg


Don't eat the watermelon Herbert, I mean Robert, it's poisonous!

[Dirt]

Would you even be outraged if he'd said Japanese instead of Chinese?
Would there be an outrage if Blank said "watermelon" instead of "fried chicken"?

[Bill Dungsroman]

It's only racist if Arthur Blank isn't black.

Edit: Where is the outrage over this?...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLJxMzoXdY
Why don't go start your own thread about it instead of derailing this one, like you do with every thread about racism that you don't actually start?

Asshole.

[Dirt]

Why don't go start your own thread about it instead of derailing this one, like you do with every thread about racism that you don't actually start?

Asshole.
It's a free forum.

I love you too, Bill.

[Mr_PeaCH]

That Arthur Blanks is no Fuzzy Zoeller.

...at the 1997 Masters tournament, Zoeller made a controversial remark regarding Tiger Woods. After finishing tied for 34th place with a score of 78, Zoeller, referring to the following year's Master's Club Champion's Dinner, for which the defending champion selects the menu, said, "That little boy is driving well and he's putting well. He's doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?" Zoeller then smiled, snapped his fingers, and walked away before turning and added, "or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve." K-Mart and Dunlop ceased sponsoring Zoeller after the incident. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_Zoeller#Controversies)

[Bill Dungsroman]

It's a free forum.
And yet you make us pay for it every time you post and we accidentally read one of your moronic, poorly-conceived, one-line, zero-thought posts.



I love you too, Bill.
Then prove your devotion by killing yourself for me.

[triggercut]

I didn't hear it as a racist thing, I heard it as "if Michael doesn't get fat on fried foods". Blank also mentioned french fries. Is that racist too?

[Dirt]

And yet you make us pay for it every time you post and we accidentally read one of your moronic, poorly-conceived, one-line, zero-thought posts.
Put me on ignore. I won't be offended.



Then prove your devotion by killing yourself for me.
I love you, Bill. I'm not in love with you.

[The Bitter Cynic]

Does this me we have to listen to that blow-hard sharpton again?

I sure hope not.

[Shadarr]

It does. He's flying to Atlanta as we speak, and the podium has already been taken out of storage.

[Charles]

I didn't hear it as a racist thing, I heard it as "if Michael doesn't get fat on fried foods". Blank also mentioned french fries. Is that racist too?

Yeah, me too. But then again, I never understood the fried chicken thing. When I noticed people using it as a slur, I thought it was a reference to Ghost World or something.

[Grifman]

Blank also mentioned french fries. Is that racist too?

Only if you hate French people.

[Bill Dungsroman]

In truth, I don't think it's particularly racist. I think Arthur was just trying to be folky, and said that because it's a popular southern food. People are running with it in the media is what I find interesting.

[Tyjenks]

The media loves a good racist slur to stir shit up. As it has been a while, this fit the bill. So silly.

[Glenn]

If you're going to get mad about negative black stereotypes, I think at least a little bit of that anger should be reserved for Vick and his determined efforts to perpetuate every single one of them.

[NoWayJose]

Would you even be outraged if he'd said Japanese instead of Chinese? That would have been more accurate. For Chinese you pull the corners of your eyes down. Japanese is up, as fmr homicide detective Rod Wheeler mistakenly did there.

[Mordrak]

Anyone interested in understanding why friend chicken and watermelon comments are seen as racist should watch Birth of a Nation's facsimile of a black House of Representatives (state level). It starts at about 1 hour 54 minutes 30 seconds into the the film.* (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6688165513470959198) The remarks are still offensive today because of their history.

Still, he didn't even skip a beat. I think Bill's probably right, but do they even serve fried chicken in prison? It seems more like a Freudian slip.

*They should really add a bookmark functionality into these video sites, where you can get a link of a film and its bookmark so you can more quickly link only to select portions.

[Aleck]

If you're going to get mad about negative black stereotypes, I think at least a little bit of that anger should be reserved for Vick and his determined efforts to perpetuate every single one of them.

Particularly true after Vick was promoted as the antithesis of many of these stereotypes -- here's a guy who was promoted as a clean, responsible, smart, talented, and likable. I think that's the big issue here. Vick was promoted to icon status immediately, and the reality behind the image was very, very different.

[Qenan]

If you're going to get mad about negative black stereotypes, I think at least a little bit of that anger should be reserved for Vick and his determined efforts to perpetuate every single one of them.

QFT. Dumb comment but it's hard to get outraged on Vick's behalf.

[Mordrak]

QFT. Dumb comment but it's hard to get outraged on Vick's behalf.
It wouldn't be on Vick's behalf. So your deciding about whether to perpetuate racial stereotypes (which affect everyone of a given ethnic background) based on the particular individual that it happens to be applied to at that moment?

I don't necessarily think this situation deserves outrage, as seen by the contrast with the statement made about Tiger Woods, but that's a odd test to use given the nature of stereotypes.

[Qenan]

I'm not deciding anything besides whether to get in a dander over it, but point taken.

[Fugitive]

*They should really add a bookmark functionality into these video sites, where you can get a link of a film and its bookmark so you can more quickly link only to select portions.
You can now with Google Video, like this. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6688165513470959198#1h54m30s)

[rhinohelix]

In truth, I don't think it's particularly racist. I think Arthur was just trying to be folky, and said that because it's a popular southern food. People are running with it in the media is what I find interesting.

Having watched the video, I don't think that anything was intended beyond the fatty food meaning.


Vick was promoted to icon status immediately, and the reality behind the image was very, very different.

I think Vick's icon (and role model) status went into the tank with the whole "Ron Mexico" imbroglio.

[Erik J.]

Or you could realize that Blank and Vick are both southerners, and fried chicken is a common food down there. "Friend chicken and french fries" was the entire quote. I honestly do not think there was any racist slant to it, whatsoever.
Ok, if he said "friend chicken and watermelon" I'd probably be a little more skeptical, but ... eh.

Erik J.

[Mordrak]

You can now with Google Video, like this. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6688165513470959198#1h54m30s)
I usually don't look further than the UI on most web apps, thanks.

[Anti-Bunny]

Or you could realize that Blank and Vick are both southerners, and fried chicken is a common food down there. "Friend chicken and french fries" was the entire quote. I honestly do not think there was any racist slant to it, whatsoever.
Ok, if he said "friend chicken and watermelon" I'd probably be a little more skeptical, but ... eh.

Erik J.
Actually he said 'fried chicken and fries'. No mention of the word 'French' there. NOT COOL! Watch as I totally work up a feigned outrage here! I may not be french, but I cannot let this stand!!!

[olaf]

More PC bullshit. The remarks in context were not at all 'racist'.

[Jakub]

Or you could realize that Blank and Vick are both southerners, and fried chicken is a common food down there. "Friend chicken and french fries" was the entire quote. I honestly do not think there was any racist slant to it, whatsoever.
Ok, if he said "friend chicken and watermelon" I'd probably be a little more skeptical, but ... eh.

Erik J.
I don't know about you, but I don't eat chickens who are my friends.

[Erik J.]

I don't know about you, but I don't eat chickens who are my friends.

Well, then you are totally missing out. It's sorta like when Homer eats his pet Pinchy the Crab. "Boo hoo... *chomp* Boo hoo.... *chomp*... "

But really, I'm more annoyed at Petrino wussing out and going to Arkansas.

Erik J.

[Dave Long]

Forget KFC and Popeye's (or Churches, for that matter). If you want really disgusting, dripping with grease fried chicken in the south, go to Bojangles. That stuff is NASTY!
Right here was where I heard that needle scratching on a record sound and shouted "HOLD IT!"

Bojangles is awesome. They complement their superb chicken with the best fries too.

[Ergo]

Well, then you are totally missing out. It's sorta like when Homer eats his pet Pinchy the Crab. "Boo hoo... *chomp* Boo hoo.... *chomp*... "
That's Pinchy the Lobster, you goddamned poseur.

[Bob Cherub]

olaf is right, this is the more PC bullshit from the media. As soon as I heard it on the live broadcast I just knew some media outlet dipshits would jump on the chance to crumble some rich white guy for an innocent statement.

YES the Atlanta Falcons owner is RACIST. He paid a black man $100 million dollars. LIKE ALL RACISTS DO.

shut the fuck up world

[Nick Walter]

crumble?

[Rasputin]

I think any outrage over that is pretty overblown.

What would be awesome is if Mike Vick comes out and says, "I like fried chicken. It is delicious. Does that make me a racist?" Too bad Dave Chappelle isn't big anymore; he'd have a field day with this one.

[Jon Rowe]

Who doesn't love fried chicken?

[VegasRobb]

Overblown.