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Hip-Hop, "Pacman" Jones Under Unfair Attack

By Brian C. Browley
Black College Wire

Brian C. Browley

From nationally syndicated radio talk show host Don Imus spewing racist gangrene to Adam "Pacman" Jones' season-long NFL suspension, racial issues have been in the news.

Members of the mainstream media, and Imus himself, attempted to shift the national conversation from his description of the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy headed ho's" to an attack on hip-hop. For instance, Jason Whitlock, a black columnist who feeds his family by trashing black athletes, excused Imus by comparing his words with those used in hip-hop. Ironically, right-wing columnist Ann Coulter noted that rappers use of the word "ho" differed from Imus' use of the word.

In an effort to sensationalize the situation and increase their ratings or readership, the media focused on the frequency of rappers' use of the word and blew its use out of context.

That is not to say that I approve of the use of the word. I find such language deplorable, but the last time I checked, there was such a thing as a prostitute, and it's still an illegal and morally deplorable job.

Snoop Dogg

Despite my feelings about the word, I understand that when Snoop Dogg, the rap group UGK or any other rappers use it, they are very specifically talking about women who, as Snoop put it in an interview with MTV, exchange sex for financial gain or exposure —and not women in general.

But Whitlock's kind of commentary has been the bread and butter of people who want to skirt the real issues of race facing the nation.

There is also the case of the Tennessee Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones.

Jones, a cornerback for the NFL team, has had his fair share of problems, including being accused of spitting on a Tennessee State University student at a local club. His latest incident allegedly involved $80,000, Las Vegas and strippers. Jones has been arrested five times and been suspended for the entire 2007-08 NFL season.

"Pacman" Jones

I'll be the first to admit that Jones should completely reevaluate the company he keeps and the places he frequents, but he seems to be a magnet for controversy whether he is at fault or not.

Everyone focuses on Jones' 10 run-ins with the law, but they obfuscate the fact that he has not been convicted of any crime since he was drafted.

While it's obvious that Jones places himself in compromising situations, it should also be obvious that law enforcement officers are aware of who he is and seem to take any and every opportunity to press charges against him. It should also be understood that some opportunistic people will provoke a confrontation with Jones for financial gain, knowing his reputation.

ESPN, the local Nashville media and sports columnists nationwide made it a point to see that a man convicted of nothing, but who offended their sensibilities, was punished.

Everything about Jones is offensive to mainstream America. That includes his brash demeanor on and off the field, his dreadlocks and the fact that he is an unapologetic young black man who makes more in a year than many so-called fans will see in their children's lifetimes.

Think about some of the language used to describe Jones. His critics toss around the word "thug" with so much venom that I'd respect them more if they just went ahead and called him a nigger and got it over with.

According to news reports, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's letter to Jones about his suspension suggested that he quit hanging out at nightclubs and be home by 1 a.m.

Admittedly, Jones' judgment hasn't been the best, but what 23-year old man with hundreds of thousands of dollars in disposable income isn't going to go to a night club occasionally? More important, how does any employer have the nerve to tell a grown man what he should do in his off-time? This isn't high school or college. Jones is a professional athlete and Goodell wouldn't feel emboldened to make such statements if not for the support and approval of the sports media, who essentially set the punishment for Jones themselves.

Journalists aren't supposed to make or control the news. Their job is simply to report it to serve their community. Now that they've gotten their pound of flesh from Jones, members of the media and "fans" are patting themselves on the back for bringing him down to size.

If members of the media continue to misuse their positions, they run the risk of alienating the community they're supposed to serve. Having personal prejudices and preferences is human nature, but when it affects the objectivity with which a subject is covered, it's time to reevaluate how these stories are reported.

The media's job is to present the news in an unbiased fashion to enable the public to make an informed decision, not to make the decisions for them.

Brian C. Browley, a student at Tennessee State University, is managing editor of the Meter. Articles in the Voices section represent the views of their authors, and not necessarily those of Black College Wire. To comment, e-mail [email protected]

Posted April 20, 2007