Rush wasn’t racist

I hate to be the one beating a dead horse, but sometimes I find

myself body-slamming a topic that arouses far too much attention.

In order to sleep well tonight I need to climb up on my soapbox for

a minute or two.

Chances are you’ve been pounded over the noggin with Rush

Limbaugh’s pointed comments on Sept. 28. I know everywhere I look

media outlets have focused on the outspoken conservative’s

comments.

As a new member to the ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” Limbaugh

made a remark taken by many as bigotry.

Referring to the slow start by Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback

Donovan McNabb, Limbaugh said that McNabb was undeserving of much

of the credit he’s received because “the media are very desirous

that a black quarterback do well.”

Did he say black? How dare he notice the color of McNabb’s skin.

So what! Why does it matter?

Why is our society so bent on an ideal perception of equality

that statements like Rush’s ignite such an outrage?

I’m looking as hard as I can, but I can’t see the racial

degradation this comment had.

Was he belittling McNabb because he is black? No.

Was he saying that because of his color McNabb couldn’t fulfill

his role as a QB? Absolutely not.

Was his comment correct? No way.

Donovan McNabb is one of the best quarterbacks of this

generation. He has passed, scrambled and carried the Eagles to

victory often – as an Eagle-hater much too often. He has passed for

10,500 yards and ran for another 2,000. Obviously, Rush’s comment

was ridiculously outdated and incorrect, but also extremely

unworthy of a controversy that led to his subsequent resignation

from the show.

Why are we so supersensitive?

I will support human equality until the day I meet my maker, but

unnecessary hubbub over stupid comments only perpetuates today’s

racial separation. I empathize with the sensitivity of this issue

as much as I can, and I know that I will never fully grasp what it

means to be an African-American in our society. However, if it is

wrong to state what is known; that Donovan McNabb is a black man,

or one’s opinion; that he is an underachieving quarterback, then I

believe we may be forever plagued with inequality.

There cannot be full equality if criticism can’t be taken

equally. In a society trying so hard to be politically correct,

freedom of speech is a facade.

I know there are some wackos out there whose comments are truly

hurtful, but why must any statement involving a minority be

construed as racist, even when it is not racist in nature?

Agree or disagree with Mr. Limbaugh’s comments, heck, agree or

disagree with mine, just don’t see them as racist.