B.O.D.C.A.: Martellus Bennett
In the first installment of B.O.D.C.A. (Barack Obama Didn’t Change Anything), we at TSI have chosen Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett and his interpretation of the “Black Olympics” as the target of our assertion that besides bringing class, intelligence, dignity and common sense to the White House, the election of President Barack Obama has done little to prevent the same self-destructive behaviors that have plagued black folks in America prior to his inauguration.
Bennett, a second-year tight end out of Texas A&M, has a known affinity for fried chicken, but it was a video (see above) of him and his brother, Seahawks rookie Michael Bennett, participating in a three-tiered race that included eating fried chicken and watermelon and drinking Kool-Aid that compelled me to pen a slap not only for Bennett’s apparent obliviousness to perpetuating racial stereotypes, but also a warning to athletes and those that surround them of the pitfalls of feeding the ever-burgeoning social media beast.
The stereotype that black people are born with an inclination to like fried chicken, watermelon and Kool-Aid has been around for a long time (see above), and was recently brought back to the forefront with the election of President Obama and the resultant photoshops of the president exercising his apparent birthright to enjoy the aforementioned foods.
While these images can be easily dismissed as pure and utter ignorance, what can’t be so easily dismissed is the embracing of these stereotypes by someone like Bennett. Regardless of whether or not you believe it was Bennett’s intent to offend through the device of superficial humor, the result is still the same. Two grown ass black men, both of whom attended college, eating fried chicken and watermelon -- in a manner that would make Malcolm X do somersaults in his grave -- all while beaming with pride in the name of entertaining their audience.
As recently as five years ago, Bennett wouldn’t have an audience and would just be another prospect with a high ceiling. However, thanks to platforms such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc…we live in a world where everyone is a star and the number of friends and/or followers one enjoys is a validation of their importance in this new media sphere. Professional athletes are among the biggest stars in social media, as evidenced by Shaquille O’Neal’s 1,632,250 followers -- and counting -- on Twitter.
As a result, this new media explosion has fostered the kind of trite “humor” employed by Bennett and the “Black Olympics” is a perfect example of athletes trying to satiate the cravings of their fans to know any and everything about their favorite stars.
However, you don’t have to make a complete fool of yourself and make light of America’s sordid past to attract attention for your media ventures, regardless if you feel that your public is awaiting and nothing but the most coonish of acts will satisfy their hunger.
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Posted on: Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Posted in: B.O.D.C.A., Editorial, Have Some Pride, I Don't Get It
Tags: Bamboozled, Martellus Bennett, Michael Bennett, Shaquille O'Neal, Twitter
I don’t know if MartyB realized what he was really doing either from sheer ignorance, stupidty or the need to just new age shuck and jive for his “fans” but he needs to really take a look at that Bamboozled montage and restablish some black pride within himself. After watching both clips I really can’t help from feeling sad at his utter stupidity. I’m really amazed that he would not only do this in his home but in addition publicize this for the whole world to see. I wonder if his parents have seen this or maybe that’s just how he was raised!
Dam this is sad!
Very sad, and embarrassing.
I am embarrassed, Where does it end, First Flav and now these sucksters, I think I heard kids in the background, they probably not knowing and think its so funny. Like you said ,how could two grown ass black men embrace these racial stereotypes so openly. I like fried chicken just like anybody else but def won’t see me looking like the little dude in that Hey Bey Bey video wildn with it. GD Shame!
This dude can’t be serious. Embarassing ain’t the word!
I wrote a post kind of similar to this a month or two ago. You always want your group — whether it’s defined by race, religion, politics, fandom even — to rise above the fray and its own stereotypes. Sometimes clowns like Bennett do the opposite, and while it won’t do anything to improve the situation broadly, all we can do is remind ourselves that they are the exception and not the rule.
…and the sad part to me is the success in causing a sense of shame amongst the African American community to be associated with such foods. The last time I checked, neither chicken, nor watermelon, nor kool-aid dictates a person’s character or intelligence. Yet, when coupled with an African American, it’s wrong or embarrassing. I wonder if we replaced the food items and/or nationality of the subjects this would produce the same feeling of embarrassment. I understand that some may feel that their actions were silly and immature; I agree. Yet, seemingly, shame can only reside in us if we acknowledge and accept the association as a negative stereotype in the first place. This is really food for thought, no pun intended. Good post. Good post.
@KBJ. Excellent point. My thing is, there were a lot of people that came before me that literally gave their lives so that we wouldn’t have to be portrayed like this, and it kills me when we do it to ourselves. Also, don’t call it the “Black Olympics.” Speak for yourself slim. I never have, I never will. As an aside, could we agree that there is nothing inherently funny and/or ironic about this sketch in the first place? There was nothing inherently funny and/or ironic when we were doing it 80 years ago, and it’s not funny now.
However, this isn’t just about what Bennett did. He seems like a good dude from the interviews I’ve seen him in. This is also about social currency and how your value is dictated by how much attention you can get. It seems like half of the stuff I see on Twitter are messages from somebody asking me to retweet a message so they can get more followers. I get it. However, as a man of resources, he doesn’t have to resort to stuff like this. Be creative dude.
I agree, and I am all for the resurrection of creativity in its purest form. Start a movement; I’ll join.
@KBJ. Thanks for the feedback. We’re working on some things, stay tuned.
Just like a cowgirl to do some shyt like this. SMH