Just over one month ago Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was dealt an eight-game suspension for racist comments made towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.  Apparently, the Liverpool fans learned nothing from that incident, as the storied Premier League club now finds itself in the midst of yet another racial controversy, as a supporter of the team was caught on television performing an imitation of a monkey towards one of Man U’s black players during their FA Cup match-up at Anfield yesterday.

Footage of the incident soon went viral, causing many to file complaints with the police.  The suspect, a 58-year-old man from North Wales, was eventually arrested and questioned by the Merseyside Police before being released on bail.

I guess he got to feel what it’s like to be a real monkey after being caged inside his jail cell for a few hours.  Here is a look at the act that got him there (white jacket on the left side of the screen).

Hat Tip – [CNN]

An ugly incident unfolded last night in London, Ontario as an entertaining game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Detroit Red Wings ended on a sour note when a fan inside the John Labatt Center threw a banana onto the ice during Wayne Simmons’ shootout attempt.

The Flyers’ forward, who is one of the few black players playing in the NHL, had already scored the game-tying goal late in the third period, and he would not allow the banana to distract him, as he made good on his shootout attempt as well.  After the game, he had the following to say about the incident.

“I’ve never had a banana thrown at me before.  That’s a first for me…I guess it’s something I obviously have to deal with being a black player playing in predominantly white sport.  I’ve grown a lot playing in this league and throughout my whole life.  I’m not going to dwell on that.”

The contest was considered a home game for the Red Wings, as the city of London is only two hours from Detroit.  It was a welcome change for the fans in London, as they usually host a Toronto Maple Leafs home game during the exhibition season, but classless acts like the one that took place last night could eventually result in neither team making a visit to the city in the future.

Unfortunately, there is no video of the incident.  If we find it, we’ll be sure to get it to you.

Hat Tip – [TSN.ca]

Word has just come out that the September 5 issue of ESPN The Magazine will be running an article by writer Touré with the following title:

“What if Michael Vick were white?”

The subtitle of the story claims, “Since the day he was arrested, people have asked. The answer isn’t what you think.”

Well, the article doesn’t end up taking the path you might expect given it’s title. Touré isn’t really concerned with finding an answer to the hypothetical question, “would a white QB have served two years in jail for the same crime?” In fact, he dispatches that question in just a few lines: uh, yeah.

Instead, the author takes a different approach, discussing the ways in which Vick’s entire life and upbringing would have led him down a different path—with different resources, values, experiences, and world-views—if he were white instead of black. In other words, Touré (who is black himself) concludes that it is less likely Vick would have gotten himself into that particular mess (i.e., killing dogs) in the first place if he were white.

So, it turns out to have an interesting if not entirely original thesis. (It’s basic Sociology 101 type stuff.) But nothing sells a boatload of print magazines in the internet age better than n controversy, so ESPN The Magazine decided on an inflammatory headline, complete with an illustration (above) of what Vick would look like as a white man.

Hat Tip – [ESPN]

Bradley has not had the best of years, batting an unimpressive .259 and tallying only 11 homer runs and 35 RBIs.  That is enough to get almost any $10-million-a-year man booed, but Bradley thinks his treatment is the result of factors beyond his poor play at the plate, and in the outfield.

An angry Milton Bradley lashed out at his treatment from Cubs fans Wednesday, suggesting he has been the victim of racial abuse at Wrigley Field…

“America doesn’t believe in racism,” he said sarcastically before repeating the remark. [Chicago Tribune]

Sadly, Bradley is right (and it is about time because he was long overdue), however the booing may actually be directed more towards his play than his skin color.  America, in many cases, doesn’t believe in racism, or at least they seem to believe it no longer exists, and the election of a black president has only seemed to further this notion.

Unfortunately, such beliefs are wrong.  Racism is still evident within society and all one need to do is step outside their homes or neighborhoods to see its effects.  The fans at Wrigley Field are not the only ones, and Bradley realizes that as well.

Bradley signed a three-year, $30 million dollar contract in January but has had a difficult season. Does he regret signing with the Cubs?

“I don’t regret anything,” he replied. “I regret there are idiots in the world. That’s what I regret.”

It is no coincidence that the most wealthiest individuals and top CEO’s are often white, while government housing areas, or “the projects” as they are often referred to as, are overpopulated with racial “minorities”.  Racial stereotypes play a big role in determining how individuals treat and react to others, and athletes are not immune to this.  Bradley has faced hatred on a daily basis, and much of it he believes it the result of his skin color.

“I’m talking about hatred, period,” he said. “I’m talking about when I go to eat at a restaurant, I have to listen to the waiters bad-mouthing me at another table, sitting in a restaurant, that’s what I’m talking about — everything.”

I hear you Milton, and this time I am listening.  I’m just not sure if the rest of the world is yet.

Hat Tip – [Chicago Tribune]