Don Cherry Fired by SN - Poll Added

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by JackIsBack

These are just a few examples.... but... who cares... why would I get upset about his comments, I take his comments with a grain a salt and I just let the ones I disagree with slide off my back. We are living in a victim culture and we are searching to be offended.... and often the ones pretending to be offended are ones that are not part of the group supposedly offended - it's crazy. Don Cherry could have said his comments about a group I belong to... and I wouldn't ask him to be fired or punished in some way, I just wouldn't listen to him or wouldn't believe in his statement(s)... I can make up my own mind and judgement... and I would simply choose NOT TO BE A VICTIM.

I now the people complaining are perfect - but just in case their not, I think we should all just relax and have a little understanding and forgiveness in our hearts and not jump all over some stupid comment someone else made - I for one am not perfect and I often say things that come out sounding foolish.... but they are just words - you can choose to rise about them and be a champion and not a victim.

We can choose also to not be victims by standing up, pointing out that what Cherry said was wrong and unacceptable, and insist on change for the better. Calling out bull#### and not burying our heads in the sand, or shrugging it off as just one of those things is the right thing to do.


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[GirlySports]

"You people that come here" is very clear.

And it's a baseless rant. As I said earlier, Americans don't wear poppies. They find it fascinating when they move here.

[Saqe]

@Pepsifree



I'd make two points here:


1. Being progressive doesn't equal being right. Not all progression is in the right direction.



2. I disagree with the notion that PC culture isn't real. Now the term maybe used in an inflated way and it is watered down. I don't know how it is in Canada but if you have followed what happened specifically in 2015-2016 in US campuses, it had nothing to do with advancing a society in a good way. We're talking here about real limitations to free speech, excessive demands and threat or even direct violence over issues, which to me is insane and not justifiable by any means.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by devo22

exactly. He's always been a raging xenophobe, it's shocking to me that some will still defend him.

He's an 85 year old, outspoken man that was given a nationwide platform for decades because a lot of Canadians liked his brash takes. If he's always been a raging xenophobe what was the difference two weeks ago before these comments? Why was he allowed to be on the air all these decades being a raging xenophobe as you say? This is what happens when you give a person like this a big stage and really HNIC and RSN should be held accountable as this was a ticking time bomb as Cherry has been offending people for years and it was just a matter of when he was going to offend a larger portion of the population. They milk the guy for viewership and then cast him aside and wipe their hands clean like they had nothing to do with it.

To be clear I am no Don Cherry fan. The one plus of RSN getting the NHL rights at the time to me was that they had the opportunity to finally put Cherry and MacLean out to pasture. But in the name or ratings RSN kept them around. It's just sad that so many people are piling on an 85 year old man like this. How many people here have heard their grandparents say something that has probably not been politically correct but we just pretend we didn't hear it and accept it because we say to ourselves they grew up in a different era? He's an 85 year old man that has been milked for TV ratings and shouldn't have been on TV in the first place. I don't mind agreeing with him being let go but some of the comments here have been in pretty bad taste IMO.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Saqe

@Pepsifree



I'd make two points here:


1. Being progressive doesn't equal being right. Not all progression is in the right direction.



2. I disagree with the notion that PC culture isn't real. Now the term maybe used in an inflated way and it is watered down. I don't know how it is in Canada but if you have followed what happened specifically in 2015-2016 in US campuses, it had nothing to do with advancing a society in a good way. We're talking here about real limitations to free speech, excessive demands and threat or even direct violence over issues, which to me is insane and not justifiable by any means.

So overblown. It's funny to me how right wing speakers have complained about progressive "snowflakes" on one hand and whined about being protested and challenged on the other. What they want is for people to listen to their rants without questioning them and to get paid for it.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So overblown. It's funny to me how right wing speakers have complained about progressive "snowflakes" on one hand and whined about being protested and challenged on the other. What they want is for people to listen to their rants without questioning them and to get paid for it.

College campuses set on fire, professors getting attacked and having to resign. The worst stuff is really grotesque and has nothing to do with challenging opinions.

[Geeoff]

The right to protest is one of the fundamental parts of freedom of speech

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

The right to protest is one of the fundamental parts of freedom of speech

On your own time yes. On company time it can get you in trouble.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Saqe

@Pepsifree



I'd make two points here:


1. Being progressive doesn't equal being right. Not all progression is in the right direction.



2. I disagree with the notion that PC culture isn't real. Now the term maybe used in an inflated way and it is watered down. I don't know how it is in Canada but if you have followed what happened specifically in 2015-2016 in US campuses, it had nothing to do with advancing a society in a good way. We're talking here about real limitations to free speech, excessive demands and threat or even direct violence over issues, which to me is insane and not justifiable by any means.

These points are both true and valid, but they do not apply to this case. I think that's the issue here.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So overblown. It's funny to me how right wing speakers have complained about progressive "snowflakes" on one hand and whined about being protested and challenged on the other. What they want is for people to listen to their rants without questioning them and to get paid for it.

No, it's an actual issue. They've gone after anyone they disagree with, even very liberal or even apolitical comedians that come to do a show on campus.

It is an issue, or at least it has been in recent years. However, it does seem to be going away a little as people start to challenge the mob authority of student bodies to dictate events and speakers on campus.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Honestly, I'm a non-immigrant, but have had a lot going on, and completely forgot about poppies this year. I was in the states for most of last week and missed the build up to Rememberance Day.

I could have used a reminder, and it would have been great if Don did that, and through in some educational background about it for "everyone that isn't aware of the significance of the day"... he could have actually done a great job campaigning for more support without pointing any fingers whatsoever.

The more I think about it, the more this was about Don putting himself on a pedestal rather than actually doing anything productive with it.

If it was actually about doing something good, the message could very, very easily have been crafted in a more meaningful and productive way with the platform that he has.

[undercoverbrother]

This is a lot of posts about an old man yelling at clouds.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

This is a lot of posts about an old man yelling at clouds.

...about immigrants not conforming and being disrespectful, on a national stage through a national institution during an international time of remembrance.

[AltaGuy]

Bye Don. Should've just said you're sorry, and explained it away like a good old xenophobic grandpa with an ounce of sense.

Good riddance anyway.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Yamer

...about immigrants not conforming and being disrespectful, on a national stage through a national institution during an international time of remembrance.

You miss understand.

I don't think Don is relevant.

I don't think Don's opinions are relevant.

His opinion is akin to the meme "old guy yelling at clouds".

I am an immigrant and a vet.

I really don't give his comment any validation.

He should have been gone years ago for many other ridiculous xenophobic comments he has made.

Today HNIC is better.

[Wolfman]

Grapes is 85...he's a dinosaur. Glad I don't have to listen to him yamer anymore.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by shogged

I think if he had come out and said that he was disappointed in all Canadians who don't support veterans financially with a poppy donation, you'd be correct. The difference is he specifically targeted immigrants which is racism in a nutshell.

I think people are confusing racism these days, and I have a question.

From my understanding racism is prejudice at an ethnic background.

Immigrants (and the new negative connotation that is now has) refers to all ethnic backgrounds (Syrian refugees, Polish, Ukrainian, Filipino, Irish, German, Italian, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, African etc). I excluded Americans as they are usually considered "ex-pats" but they are all different backgrounds.

So to assume "you people" being immigrants are all visible minorities, wouldn't that be a racist?

I also understand that Don Cherry has a bias towards offensive comments, but I don't think what he said was racist. I thought it was a shot at all new comers to Canada which in and of itself is its own issue, but not racist.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I think people are confusing racism these days, and I have a question.

From my understanding racism is prejudice at an ethnic background.

Immigrants (and the new negative connotation that is now has) refers to all ethnic backgrounds (Syrian refugees, Polish, Ukrainian, Filipino, Irish, German, Italian, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, African etc). I excluded Americans as they are usually considered "ex-pats" but they are all different backgrounds.

So to assume "you people" being immigrants are all visible minorities, wouldn't that be a racist?

I also understand that Don Cherry has a bias towards offensive comments, but I don't think what he said was racist. I thought it was a shot at all new comers to Canada which in and of itself is its own issue, but not racist.

I viewed his comments as prejudice (and not racist) as well and had a very similar conversation with my wife.

She viewed it as racist. Her argument was that Don can't tell who is an immigrant and who isn't solely by looking at someone, unless he is using the basis of skin color.

I see her point of view.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I think people are confusing racism these days, and I have a question.

From my understanding racism is prejudice at an ethnic background.

Immigrants (and the new negative connotation that is now has) refers to all ethnic backgrounds (Syrian refugees, Polish, Ukrainian, Filipino, Irish, German, Italian, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, African etc). I excluded Americans as they are usually considered "ex-pats" but they are all different backgrounds.

So to assume "you people" being immigrants are all visible minorities, wouldn't that be a racist?

I also understand that Don Cherry has a bias towards offensive comments, but I don't think what he said was racist. I thought it was a shot at all new comers to Canada which in and of itself is its own issue, but not racist.

You are wrong.

The usage of the words "racist," and "racism" is extended beyond mere ethnicity to include prejudice on the basis of regional distinctions as well.

Originally Posted by Oxford English Dictionary

racist, n. and adj.
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈreɪsɪst/, U.S. /ˈreɪsᵻst/

a person whose words or actions display prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of race (see race n.6 1b, 1c, 1d). Also in extended use: a person who is prejudiced against people of other nationalities.

So, yes. What Don Cherry said is most definitely racist.

[AltaGuy]

So to assume "you people" being immigrants are all visible minorities, wouldn't that be a racist?

Le olde pedantic debate about the minutiae of various labels one can call various bigots is stupid.

"Technically speaking" ... groan.