Media Reacts To ESPN's Actions Following Racial Slur Used In Coverage Of Knicks Game

The firing of ESPN online editor Anthony Federico and the suspension of ESPN anchor Max Bretos for using the phrase "chink in the armor" in reference to Knicks G Jeremy Lin show "how unprepared we were to deal with this culture in this context," according to ESPN's J.A. Adande. Because fans "haven’t seen Asian-Americans playing in the NBA, some people are defaulting to their stereotypes, to their initial impressions ... so we’re seeing some of the base things come out.” Adande said some derogatory phrases “have been said in compete innocence, not really realizing the full context." Adande: "But now that we’ve seen the consequences, maybe people will stop and think. Maybe it’s good that Jeremy Lin is forcing us all to think twice about the words we use.” SB Nation's Bomani Jones said, “People feel way too comfortable with the things that they say about Asians. It’s been like this for a long time. Maybe it’s because they seem more dissimilar to most Americans than other people see.” L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke said he encourages everyone to see the Lin skit on NBC’s “SNL” from this weekend because it "really is compelling." Plaschke: "In the skit, they’re making fun and making puns on the word, almost making fun of Lin’s Asian-American heritage and laughing about it. Yet when one of the commentators makes fun of an African-American slur, everyone goes crazy.” Plaschke said there are “many minorities in this country and all of them need to be treated the same” but that is what is “great about sports." Plaschke: "It’s brought this into the conversation” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/20).

TOO SEVERE A PENALTY FOR BRETOS? THE BIG LEAD's Ty Duffy wrote looking at Bretos’ comment, he is having a "hard time understanding where" Bretos erred. The term "chink" is an "odious" racial slur that "deserves to be treated with the requisite severity." However, the word "is also used in a common idiom, 'a chink in someone’s armor,' to describe a weak point or pivotal flaw." It is "that last usage that has caused so much trouble." Duffy: "Self-contained, the phrase 'a chink in someone’s armor' conveys no racial animosity. Context must make the expression offensive. ... By that same definition, we would question Max Bretos' suspension." Bretos asked MSG Knicks analyst Walt Frazier "if there is a chink in the armor where can Lin improve his game?" Duffy wrote, "Conversational speech deserves greater leeway than premeditated writing." Bretos used the idiom "in its correct context." He did not "smile, linger over 'chink,' or give any indication this was an intentional play on words." ESPN "reacted harshly, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against racism." However, the cycle of "overreactions have distanced us from what was, to any reasonable observer, an unintended slight" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 2/20). Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck yesterday said of Bretos' suspension, "Play that audio from ESPN one more time. Does this sound like a hate monger? ... A 30-day suspension? I wish I had a sports department. I would hire this guy in a heartbeat. He is not making a racist comment" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 2/20).

MORE PUNISHMENT POSSIBLE: In N.Y., Bob Raissman notes Knicks radio broadcaster Spero Dedes has "yet to be 'punished'" for using the phrase "chink in the armor" Friday night after the Knicks’ loss to the Hornets, which ended the team's seven-game winning streak with Lin. Raissman writes, "You’ve got to believe that ESPN, which owns the Knicks radio rights, is asking the following questions: If we took action against our guys, what are you (MSG) going to do?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/21).