The byline for Forbes columnist Tom Van Riper includes, “I cover the business of sports for Forbes.” Which clearly qualifies the man to declare, “Phil Mushnick’s Rants Were Not Racist.” Thanks for putting the controversy to rest, Tom.
But seriously, Van Riper is simply playing a stereotypical role in the proceedings, as evidenced by the following quote:
The furor is the latest sad example of political correctness stifling actual meaningful discussions of race in America. Context is thrown out the window—if you use the word (or allude to it), you are a racist.
In short, a man writing sports columns for a business publication feels entitled to pooh-pooh the offended as “politically-correct” and averse to conducting meaningful discussions on race in America. Why, Phil Mushnick was only seeking to engage in a thoughtful conversation on social issues facing us all. Guess the critics were just too jaded to realize such enlightenment could come from someone who has spent over 30 years covering the Nets, Rangers and New York Cosmos.
Bless you, Tom Van Riper, for clarifying matters with such eloquence. For a sportswriter, you’re very articulate.
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