Did I ever hear Michael Hayes use the âN wordâ? Of course I did. Everyone who worked in the WWE from Vince McMahon to Howie in the mail room has heard Michael use the âN wordâ.
Did I also hear Teddy Long, Ron Simmons and D-Lo Brown talk about feeling like âslaves in the fieldâ? Of course I did.
While Michaelâs use of the word in the presence of Mark Henry was stupid and tasteless, that doesnât mean that Michael is a racist. Same goes for Teddy, Ron and D-Lo. Now, I wasnât offended when I heard Michael use the âNâ word nor was I offended by Teddy, Ron and D-Loâs diatribe as well.
Chances are we are all racist to some extent. Some more than others but everyone harbors some racist feelings. We canât help it, we are human beings. Look at what Senator Barack Obama is dealing with. He canât get the white, blue-collar vote. Why? Is it because that group has the collective belief that Obama canât do the job? Please.
Frank Rich in Sundayâs âNew York Timesâ described it as âThe All-White Elephant in the Roomâ, a strange but toxic mix of double standards and inconsistencies that render us all human. So, while Michael Hayes gets suspended for 60 days, is he all that different from anyone else?
Konnan has sounded the trumpet regarding racism in wrestling. He wasnât the first and wonât be the last. Is there racism in wrestling? Yes there is because there are human beings in wrestling. But, has anyone reacted with outrage as Konnan told tale after tale about racists dwelling in the wrestling industry? Why is Konnanâs story so much different than Mark Henry?
Some might say that there is an over-sensitive nature among some members of the African-American community. As the Reverend Al Sharpton plans organized civil disobedience this week throughout New York City in the wake of the acquittal of three NYC police officers in the killing of Sean Bell, are we to believe that only blacks are victims of misdeeds by the police?
Does Al Sharpton speak for all blacks? Sharpton on Fox News Sunday morning on May 4th had little sympathy for Barack Obama and blamed the media for perpetuating the controversial comments of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. If a black man makes racist statements, is he any less of a racist? Remember when Don Imus called members of the Rutgersâ womenâs basketball teams ânappy-headed hoâsâ? Boy, Sharpton was quick to capitalize on that and Imus was out. Where is Sharptonâs outrage regarding the Reverend Wright?
I only bring up Reverend Sharpton because he is a polarizing figure in race relations in the United States. One of the selling points for Barack Obama going into 2008 was the fact that he was a new generation of African-American, different that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, more palatable for White America. The closer we get to Election Day, it seems Barack Obama is no different than Jackson when it comes to being elected to the White House.
And thatâs because we are all racist to some extent, some more than others. Michael Hayes may or may not be a racist. Thatâs not for me to say. But, with his use of the âN wordâ in the presence of Mark Henry, Hayes displayed ignorance and with the WWE being a publicly traded company, racist attitude and language that has existed forever in pro wrestling now becomes a punishable offense.
But, just like Don Imus, Michael Hayes will be allowed to continue his career. For every Sputnik Monroe, there was Thunderbolt Patterson. And for every Konnan, there will be Michael Hayes. Itâs human actions and emotions that make us all seem so human.
