Al Sharpton on race and steriods scandals

by krgrecw on Feb 16, 2008 7:24 PM EST Comment 49 comments

The Rev. Al Sharpton said Saturday that he believes the U.S. government has been pursuing black athletes more aggressively than white athletes in scandals over performance enhancing drugs.

In his weekly address to followers in Harlem, Sharpton compared the treatment of Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run king, to the treatment of Roger Clemens, one of the game's greatest pitchers.

Bonds was indicted last year on a charge that he perjured himself while testifying before a grand jury investigating criminal steroids distribution by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.
Clemens has been accused by a former trainer of taking steroids and human growth hormone _ a charge he denied during sworn testimony before Congress.

Sharpton said the members of Congress who were there for the hearing, "treated Roger Clemens like they were at a fan club meeting." He questioned why a steroids scandal had landed Bonds in trouble, but no white athlete of a similar standing.

"You've got to understand that the fight has always been about the criminalization of black men," Sharpton said.

Al Sharpton is a class act. If he ever played baseball he'd be the first person ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame due to great 'makeup' regardless of his OPS

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let me be the first to call BS

some things are racist in this country. Steroid head-hunting? Not one of them. Yes, Barry got roasted bc he's an idiot. (I'm still a fan of him as a player). Yes, Clemens is getting raked, also bc he's an idiot.
They are going after arguably one of the greatest hitters and one of the greatest pitchers, so that seems pretty equal and all to me

classy move Belichek...Quitter

by jrose643 on Feb 16, 2008 7:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Al Sharpton

is an idiot who survives by sustaining controversy. He is part of the problem not the solution. He creates problems were there are none for the sole purpose of hoisting himself up into the spotlight as a hero.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+100

by demondeaconbaseball on Feb 16, 2008 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

As a black man, I have never been an Al Sharpton fan.

The only reason why some the congress people were soft on Clemens was that those guys were republicans who didn't wanna kill there fellow guy. (Clemens I,ve heard is good friends with G. Bush)

Plus, Bods unlike McGwire or Clemens, was still playing and not to mention the evidence for Bonds was extreamly clear.

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The Dems attacked Clemens and played nice with McNamee and the Reps did the opposite. It was sickening really.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Ted Williams: .406

by bodyiq on Feb 17, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I don't think it's as bad as he says...

but I do think Bonds has gotten harsher treatment. The Clemens stuff for the most part just began so we will see how it progresses. They have been after Bonds for a very long time. The only reason Clemens' name came up now is because they were probably looking for more proof to lock Bonds up. /me shrugs

I don't think that necessarily means they are being racist, I just think they made a decision that Bonds would be made an example out of. It was an easy decision to make with the personality he has and the fact he was already in the spot light. I'm not sure but I think the majority of players they have questioned going back to McGwire have been white or at least a race other than African American.

by jfish26101 on Feb 16, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bonds

The reason they went over Bonds the hardest is obvious. He broke baseball's most hallowed record. He also got some extra punishment from the fans as a result of his reputation as a jerk.

It has nothing to do with race and Al Sharpton is only causing more problems by claiming it is so. There is still racism in the country, sure, but not this. Why waste time on it? For attention, plain and simple. Best we ignore him.

by Stephcaflowne on Feb 16, 2008 8:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1, except

for the attention thing. I know this will be a popular opinion, and while I do think Al Sharpton is blowing things out of proportion, there's a lot of things we don't know about Congress' treatment of Bonds versus its treatment of Clemens. It may be difficult for some to realize, but there's still a lot more racism on a subconscious level than is generally believed these days. Al Sharpton is doing his best to get rid of this, and I admire what he is trying to do for humanity, but I do think he's following a bad lead in this case.

by elrey34 on Feb 16, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BS

Sharpton doesn't want racism to go away - because if it does, it would mean he would have to go away too. This is completely baseless. The Clemens chapter hasn't even gotten past the opening stanza and he's already drawing this conclusion? BS - this is posturing on his part for both personal gain and a thinly veiled attempt to pressure Congress into giving him a pound of Clemens flesh. I'm so sick of the double standards we let these people get away with.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Slurve,

That just wrong to say. I am not a Sharpton fan, but to say he doesn't want racism to end is really hard believe

I agree that yes, Al sharpton say or does things that very sketchy and tends to do or say things that really cause more division than togetherness.

The Rutkers thing was funny because he got more air time than the girls who were insulted.

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 9:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's my opinion

and I'm stickin' to it. Rascism = job security for Sharpton. He would be nowhere w/o it. I'm not trying to offend you here NYL, just the way I see the world.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Al Sharpton is one of the biggest bigots in the public eye. I really don't know of any celebrities that I would consider more openly racist than he is.

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by was385 on Feb 17, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clemens, McNamee, Petitte.....

Rev. Al is right it been nothing but black guys on Capitol Hill. Bonds is the only black guy so far that has been vilified by Congress, the media, peers and fans alike. There is many things you can say about the steroid mess it has been mishandled at every level from teams and management to our lawmakers. But I just don't think racism has been a catalyst, and I really think that Al Sharpton knows it has not been a driving force either. I simply believe he is grandstanding.

Anyone remember being excited about Zach Duke?

by PittsburghStealer on Feb 16, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Only black guys?

Pettite/Knoblauch/Clemens/Big Mac...

The gov't spent a lot of time going after Pete Rose, but that stuff never comes up. If Pete Rose was black, the race cards would have been flying everywhere.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You gotta remember as well,

the government is going after Bonds not because he took steroids, but because he committed perjury, something, as of yet, he is alone on. Giambi and Sheffield apparently came clean in their grand jury testimonies. And apparently regardless of race, congress let them both alone after that. Bonds clearly lied and thus disrupted their findings. And bam, he gets in trouble. Simple as that.

The real test will be if it becomes as obvious that Clemens is lying under oath, if he is THEN targeted. Of course, he could very well be pardoned by Bush, which would be less a sign of racism than of the good old boy network, as Clemens and Bush are apparently buddies.

by SuperBean on Feb 16, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly,

What about Sheffield here. No bodys kills Sheffield on the Steriod usage. You would of thought he didn't do steriods.

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That and

what about the only person who has done any jail time in the Bonds (and/or any other case)? That's right. A white guy. Greg Anderson.

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by slurve on Feb 16, 2008 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Greg Anderson

They nailed Anderson because they were trying to get Bonds. You think they wouldn't have given him the McNamee treatment if he HAD ratted him out?

by Lunkwill Fook on Feb 17, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So...

They are willing to fry a white guy just so they can get to the black guy? But... I thought this was racist? <rolls eyes... again> Yes, they went after Bonds because there was evidence. How is that any different from any other case when law enforcement uses a bit player to get to the big fish? Oh, I forgot, Bonds is black so it must be racism right.

Given the McNamee treatment if he "ratted" him out? Well, I suppose one should receive slightly better treatment for telling the truth and cooperating, no? Did you not see how the "good 'ol boy network" grilled, insulted and belittled McNamee? Did you watch anything?

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by slurve on Feb 18, 2008 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Al Sharpton

is an race-baiting idiot. Bonds bears the brunt of most of the steroid criticism because he is the all-time HR leader, not to mention that he is a douche who continued to deny using even after mounds of evidence have appeared showing otherwise. It has absolutely nothing to do with race.

by AucklandGM on Feb 16, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

edit

is a race-baiting idiot.

*#@&, there needs to be a way to edit posts.

by AucklandGM on Feb 16, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sharpton may be all these things

but Bonds gets a rough treatment from the media. Plenty of people of jerks, but when black athletes are, they're usually criticized more severely. Not every time, certainly, but more frequently than white athletes. To somehow think that racism may not play a role in Bonds's treatment merely because you don't like the messenger is foolish. Re: Clemens. The evidence isn't that strong, and what he says about him is wrong, so far. Sports writers are also tough on McGwire, even though he hasn't admitted anything nor been linked to anything other than to say he wouldn't speak about the past.

by andwoo on Feb 16, 2008 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is 2008

and we stop with this thing as soon as something bad happens we have to put racism in the situation.

I truly don't believe that racism has a part in this spot period. If that is the case then why isn't players like Sosa, Sheffield, or even Palmiero getting ridiculed by the media?

It's like John McClane in Die Hard movies, In the Wrong Place, at the Wrong time. This fits with Bonds.

Fans got caught up in the Hr chase that it clouded people's perspective on the PED issue. If Bonds broke the hr record in 98 like Big Mac, he would got a ton rejoice by baseball like Sosa and McGwire.

Also, Bonds was still playing, and McGwire wasn't. Not to mention, Bonds was breaking records and he was doing that when fans were completely noticing the steriod issue.

The point is, Bonds was in the wrong circumstances period. If he was white, it would of matter.

We in society need to stop to make everything a race issue (especially African Americans, who seem to use it to cover up there mistakes and ridiculous excuses)

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

it wouldn't happen

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

matter

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 16, 2008 11:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

comments

people like Sharpton are racist.

If I was to see a black person and immediately think or say "thief" or to be scared and go to the other side of the street would be racist. Or many other actions.

When people like Sharpton see a white person treat a black person different (in a negative way) than a white person they assume and cry racism.

While it's possible that the white person was treating the black person worse because of racism it's not a given. Just like it's possible a black person could be a thief. But to assume without evidence is just racism.

What Jackie Robinson did was amazing. It's just sad that many use his name but do the opposite of what he did.

It's kind of similar to the stupid gay pride parade. The parade is supposed to be about pride and showing they are equal and should be treated as such. But what they actually do is intentionally do their best to alienate and affront those that are not very tolerant of gay people. Instead of trying to swallow a little "pride" and improving matters they make it much worse. The same can be said of people like Sharpton IMO.

by pedrophile on Feb 17, 2008 2:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and racism is gone in 2008?

I'm going to guess you have very little experience with it or have friends with very little experience with it to basically make that claim. I also assume you never saw the pictures after Hurricane Katrina that showed young black people, with the caption "looting" the stores for food, and white people, same situation, foraging for food in abandoned stores. So if something as prominent as that can get skewed by perceptions of people based on their race, you don't think that same attitude infiltrates other aspects of reporting? But you're right, it's 2008, and Katrina was so 2005.

by andwoo on Feb 17, 2008 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nip it

in the bud. This has to stop. Nobody has remotely declared racism as dead. From what I see in this diary, nobody has denied the existance of racism - just that this latest accusation Sharpton's is out of line.

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by slurve on Feb 17, 2008 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At least with Katrina

It was clear that there was racism.

I am not saying that racism is over, of course not and there will always be racism.

The point is, this is not the 50's or 60's where it was pratacally a crime to be black.

And while in 08 there are ton of changes that should be made, this country has made some strides to changes in concern with racism.

When you think Steriod scandal with Bonds, you think it's racism? Because I don't. Sure it doesn't help that Bonds is black but it's doesn't kill him either.

I have been very critical of the US with racism, (Katrina, the NBA at times and etc) but I have been proud that our country has made some changes.

People like Al Sharpton, tends to make everything a race issue and it shouldn't be and atimes just continue problems rather than containing them.

We have a black man who has a legit chance of becoming President of the United States, you think that will happen in the 50's or 60's? Hey black people built the White House and it took 200 years to get a black president at least a chance to become president. While it's unfortunate and sad, I look at the positve and say hey at least the country is heading in the right direction (albeit little steps). People like Sharpton, just think negative.

Part of the reason why racism is still problem is that people are too sensitive and up tight and also use a lack of logic knowledge about not only there races but others as well.

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 17, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I basically agree with your post

and do think Sharpton is more a problem than a help, but I do think that race has played a factor in how Bonds has been treated overall, which would include the steroid scandal. Just because the photo caption with Katrina was blatant doesn't mean more insidious forms don't go on in the media, that's the only point I'm trying to make.

by andwoo on Feb 17, 2008 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And while black people

have to work twice as hard to achieve somethingor our bar is a little higher, at least we are given opportunities.

Blacks during the past more times than not never gotten that opportunities what so ever.

So while there is racism and it is absolute bitch. I can say we are making somes changes.

by NYYLover1000 on Feb 17, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sharpton is right on this one

not dealing with it and attacking Sharpton is what proves to black people that there are very few 'good' whites, just a lot of whites who want to ignore the past, present, and what will continue to be a sad future. when the oil runs out, it will get much much worse.

by smittybanton on Feb 16, 2008 11:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

All whites

are racist they just hate blacks for no reason. Damn you whitey!!!!

1941 .406

by FrozenTed9 on Feb 16, 2008 11:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

someone complaining about racism and in the same sentence saying:

is what proves to black people that there are very few 'good' whites

by pedrophile on Feb 17, 2008 2:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No. No. No.

I'm almost tempted to say this post was tongue-in-cheek. I think everyone realizes there are still race issues. This aint one of 'em. There is a disproportionate amount African Americans that are incarcerated. The earning power of the average black man is much lower than that of a white person.

Bonds is in trouble because he f'ed up. Period.

We still have a ways to go with racial equality, but there are also several bright spots and things have gotten much better the last few decades. We're on the verge of electing a black man to the world's highest office for Christ's sake.

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by slurve on Feb 17, 2008 8:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sharpton is the very definition of

'nappy-headed ho'.

by BoydsOfSummer on Feb 17, 2008 2:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

subject

This may seem like a crazy stance, but why should anyone care if race is a factor in them are going after Bonds?

I could see everyone getting upset if Bonds did nothing wrong, but he lied. Bonds should know that there is white people in the world that would love to see him fail because he is black. He has to know this and protect himself. He failed to do this when he lied. Now we are stuck trying to figure out if they are going after him because of race, or because he is a liar. I say *&^% him. Why should we care about Bonds?

I would rather see AL fighting for the rights of blacks that have been violated for no reason. Who cares if a liar is getting treated fair. If he doesn't like it tell the truth.

by Josh on Feb 17, 2008 9:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He never fails to throw it out

by UCFKnights on Feb 17, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

As usual,

Sharpton manages to take a legitimate beef (the media treatment of Bonds and Clemens HAS been racist, almost without question) and alienate half of his potential supporters with tactless and overblown claims.

by PaulThomas on Feb 17, 2008 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Substantiate this claim

"the media treatment of Bonds and Clemens HAS been racist, almost without question"

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by slurve on Feb 17, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on

Have people spent years writing books about how evil Clemens was?

Has the word even been used with respect to him?

The worst thing I've heard with respect to Jolly Roger is "cheater." Bonds has literally been demonized, with people digging through all sorts of stuff which was totally unrelated to steroid use (his mistress, tax records, etc.) in an effort to convict him by inference (he cheated on his wife, therefore he must have used steroids). The entire discourse is different.

If you want to stick your head in the sand and pretend that the difference is unrelated to race, in defiance of the polls which show that attitudes toward Bonds are massively race-determined, whatever.

by PaulThomas on Feb 18, 2008 2:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

subject

Well in all fairness Bonds was getting some on the side. He did cheat on his taxes. He did lie about taking steriods. He was a giant ass in the clubhouse. How well should he be treated?

It is not like Bonds made one mistake and everyone turned on the guy. What has happened is for the first time in Bonds life he is getting treated how he has treated everyone else for years. Kind of funny if you ask me.

by Josh on Feb 18, 2008 8:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

God God

no they haven't spent years on writing books on how evil Clemens is. The Mitchell Report is all of what, 2 months old now? The case against Barry has been building for years. The "enitire discoure is different" indeed. Who's sticking their head in the sand in defiance of polls here? The polls conducted last week on ESPN, this very site and EVERYTHING I've seen any where else were nearly unanimous anti-Clemens. , On ESPN not one single state, including his home state were favorable towards him and the last time I looked, the poll on this site was a 95/5 split against him. If that doesn't SCREAM racism, I don't what does.... <rolls eyes>.

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by slurve on Feb 18, 2008 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clemens

There was some obvious bias shown by some congressmen in the Clemens hearing, but it wasn't race as much as it was political agenda. Roger is a Texas millionaire who contributes money to the GOP. Guess which politicians decided to go easy on him.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Feb 17, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a little insulted....

I hope no one takes this personally but I personally think there is great value in what Sharpton does. Yes, he takes things out of proportion and goes overboard on a lot of issues but he is useful because he reminds Americans that racism isn't dead. Say what you want about his methods but to attack Sharpton's motivations is both nearsighted and a little ignorant.

Yes, I think racism is present in this case. Do I think it's the guiding principle involved? No, there are a lot of issues at play. But when I think about statements like "It's just the good old boys network", I just wonder if people are thinking things through.

Have you noticed that the "good old boy network" always seems to including rich white men? When's the last time you heard a congressman defend Bonds in any way? You think HE doesn't make campaign contributions? You think he doesn't have connections with any politician? Bonds was targeted by the government and you can come up with any rationale you want. Yes, it's early with Clemens, but when "half" of Congress is actively trying to defend Clemens in a case where it's pretty obvious to the average person that he's guilty, you have to question a few of your "facts".

In summary: dislike Sharpton if you want. But questioning his motivations as ignorant or pure grandstanding just makes my blood pressure go up.

by Lunkwill Fook on Feb 17, 2008 4:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Wiliam Lacy Clay. That's all I have to say and the above post is moot. Good 'ol boy network my ass.

"questioning his motivations as ignorant or pure grandstanding just makes my blood pressure go up."

Good. Maybe it will force your eyes open.

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by slurve on Feb 18, 2008 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hard to argue

Sorry guys, but I can't imagine anyone at Bonds' testimony said they were sure that he'd go to heaven. I think race isn't as much a factor as Big Al claims it is, but certainly still a factor. Those congressmen (and women) practically lined up to pleasure him.

This is me being polite.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 17, 2008 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs