Opinion: ESPN “fires” Asian American Robert Lee for his name
Jazmyne Boozer, Assistant Editor
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
Fear in media is one of the greatest forces the world has ever seen. Propaganda in news stories, television, radio, social media and the likes can manipulate even the most adamant mindset. It’s why our Father warns us to guard not only our hearts, but our minds as well. Unfortunately, we see that not all people heed this admonishing.
The Charlottesville attack on Aug. 13 stirred up more division than ever. Since the attack, we have seen even more discussion (as if there was not enough) regarding racism in America. Due to the increase in attacks, whether acts of terrorism or something else, we are seeing the effects it has on civilians; Robert Lee being one of them.
In the wake of the attacks, Robert Lee, an ESPN reporter who was scheduled to call the University of Virginia’s second home game, was taken off the broadcast by his own request. One person was killed in the Charlottesville attack and many were injured due to a dispute over the taking down of a confederate statue depicting Robert E. Lee, a confederate general. Due to this fact, Lee showed hesitation in broadcasting the University of Virginia’s game and opted to call for the Youngstown State vs. Pitt game instead.
ESPN released a statement voicing their reasoning on why they removed Lee from the specific game. It was merely due to the coincidence of his name. ESPN believed that they were saving Robert Lee from countless memes, teasing, backlash and retaliation by pulling him from the Virginia broadcast. Robert Lee agreed to be moved and went on to call another college football game.
Some have criticized that ESPN has become hyper-liberalized and fears of offending anyone. Others argue that Lee made the right decision regarding his family and loved ones as they would likely become targets of ridicule as well. Still, others see this as nothing more than a race-baiting issue that could have been avoided.
The question becomes this: Should politics bleed through to the sports realm? From Robert Lee’s perspective, I can see why he would choose to remove himself from the broadcast. It is easy to remove oneself out of an overwhelming fear of backlash. But why can we not just allow sports to be sports and politics to be politics? Why must a political agenda be put towards everything; even something as impartial as sports?
ESPN must get past its liberalized ideology and ask itself is it worth entertaining people who would find an issue with a man’s name which coincidentally resembles that of a confederate soldier? Perhaps those who would have stopped watching out of offense at this incident are better off not tuning in. Maybe those who would have been offended at this mere similarity are not tuning in to watch sports but rather, place politics where politics are not due. It would behoove those who would find offense to this to maybe… just maybe, watch CNN where they will be more catered to and leave ESPN alone regarding any political issue.
