Source: Scott Halleran / Getty
ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum said that black Americans need to stop complaining about discrimination because “this country is not oppressing black people.” Black Sports Online reported Thursday on Finebaum’s remarks, which he made on his ESPN Radio show Monday. “This country has issues,” Finebaum said, “but this country is not oppressing black people.” The sports author joined a panel discussion about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday where he underscored his assertion that black people in America aren’t being oppressed.
“I honestly have no idea where he’s coming from with all this,” Finebaum argued during his show. “What really gets to me is the fact that he’s capable of doing something like that when this country, which he so blatantly spit on, this country is what gave him the opportunity to rise to the stars and to be recognized and celebrated. What kind of a man is capable of doing that and giving that sort of thanks to the very community that supported him and admired him? Seriously, I still can’t get over the fact that he was that disrespectful.”
Finebaum concluded, “You want to talk about discrimination and oppression? Sure. But, let’s talk about how white people are being treated unfairly and unequally, for a change. That’s the topic we should be addressed, especially when it comes to sports.”
