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Shameful or Not?
January 19, 2008 The Gold Channel has recently suspended one of its anchors, Kelly Tilghman, for two weeks after she made a comment on January 4 that has offended many people. Tilghman and analyst Nick Faldo were discussing Tiger Woods and his challengers when Faldo said that, “To take Tiger on, maybe they should just gang up [on him] for a while.” Tilghman followed that statement with, “Lynch him in a back alley.” Tilghman was laughing when she made this statement. Woods’ agent at IMG came out and said that he didn’t think there was any ill intent by what Tilghman said. However, the Reverend Al Sharpton went on CNN and demanded that she be fired. Instead, she was just given a suspension five days after her comment. Tilghman said that she regretted saying it and apologized to Woods. This was all followed by Golfweek magazine firing their vice president and editor Dave Seanor on January 18 after he took responsibility for putting a noose on the cover of the January 19 issue in reference to Tilghman’s statement. The title on the issue said “Caught in a Noose” and had the subtitle “Tilghman slips up, and Golf Channel can’t wriggle free.” Golfweek removed the issue from their booth at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL. The comment and noose hit a nerve because according to Tuskegee University, over 3000 blacks were lynched in the United States from 1882 to 1968. The Ku Klux Klan predominately did most of the lynching. Their main goal was to defend the interests of the Democratic Party and they believed that part of that goal was to control blacks and prevent them from voting. Many whites were hanged for their beliefs, too. It is estimated that over 1000 whites, many of whom were registered Republicans, were killed during that time as well. Tilghman used the word “lynch” in reference to a black man. It certainly warranted investigation but probably not the attention it has gotten. The cover of Golfweek may have been stepping over a boundary, but it’s not like it’s the first time a magazine has run a cover of an image that may be offensive to some people. The whole thing may or may not be getting blown out of proportion. What if Tilghman’s comment was about a white golfer instead of a black one? Would anyone really care then? Give us your comments. E-mail us at shamefulornot@athletehos.com or visit Golfweek and let them know what you think.
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