The hate email sharing scandal that led to the resignation of now former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is emblematic of a deeply rooted problem in the United States.
Before a myriad of email exchanges are read, analyzed and shared by the daily New York Times, Gruden was questioned about his racist comments made electronically to the director of the NFL Players’ Association, DeMaurice Smith, speaking of his “big lips”.
To defend himself, Gruden had mentioned that he did not have “an ounce of racism in him”.
However, the rest is known. A parallel investigation established that he exchanged numerous misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic and racist emails with some of his counterparts and colleagues in the NFL over a span of seven years, including when he was a commentator of the evenings of Monday to the ESPN network.
Smith, on the other hand, delivered a heartfelt speech on the issues that the NFL has faced since its inception almost always against blacks, who make up about 70% of the league.
“Jon Gruden’s email – and some of the reactions that came from it – confirm that the fight against racism, racist tropes and intolerance is not over,” Smith hammered, according to the daily Las Vegas Review-Journal, Monday. It’s not so much about an email as it is about a widespread belief that people who look like me can be treated worse. The email also revealed that those with the power to voice their opinion on major platforms are insidious and hypocritical. As if there was a need to protect football before the values of equality, inclusion and respect. ”
Dissatisfaction
For several years, players have used several methods to communicate their dissatisfaction to the NFL. Several players who knelt in protest during the national anthems can attest to this.
“Those in power in our company need to understand that football per se needs to get better, not apologize for maintaining the status quo,” Smith continued.
Former NFL star and author of “Things That Make White People Uncomfortable”, Michael Bennett, described the situation in the sport as a “segregative, not integrative business.” He mentions that rich men – whites – own teams made up of a workforce from several ethnic backgrounds.
.
