Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar visited The O’Reilly Factor tonight to discuss Donald Sterling. But for some reason, O’Reilly also found it necessary to quiz Abdul-Jabbar about his patriotism. As if being black cast it in doubt in some way.
There was nothing in Abdul-Jabbar’s comments about Sterling to suggest any animosity toward our country. Abdul-Jabbar said he had no personal problem with Sterling when he had worked for him, that Sterling had been “very congenial” and had invited him to his daughter’s wedding. “It’s hard to understand who feels this way because no one wears a sign on their forehead that says, ‘a racist.’” Abdul-Jabbar explained.
But clearly, O’Reilly seemed to think Abdul-Jabbar had a sign saying, “African American” on his forehead. Rather than discuss the implications of the Sterling issue for basketball or sports or to an athlete, O’Reilly went on to quiz his guest about his blackness.
First, O’Reilly asked if black players in NBA should stop calling themselves the n-word.
Yes, Abdul-Jabbar thinks so. “I don’t think it (the n word) can ever be cleaned up and I think that black Americans should avoid using it,” he said.
Apparently satisfied, O’Reilly probed further. “You know, you and I are almost the same age… I want to ask you a personal question. Do you feel America has treated you fairly - you and your family?”
Abdul-Jabbar answered with more respect than I think had been shown him in such a question. He said, “For the most part. There’s pluses and minuses. Being a black American sometimes means that you have to deal with some things that you shouldn’t. But I don’t think that there’s any ethnic group in this country that hasn’t had a similar experience. It’s just that the whole issue of the slave trade made it different for people from Africa.”
So O’Reilly pushed further, “Do you respect your country? Do you love your country?”
Again, Abdul-Jabbar answered respectfully. “Yeah, I feel patriotic. This is the greatest country in the world because we have the ability here to make it better and we are constantly trying to do that. And I think that that sets us apart and I think we have to continually remember that when we try to get things done,” he replied.
O’Reilly asked another asinine question: “Can you forgive Sterling?” Was O’Reilly worried that Abdul-Jabbar was going to make too much of Sterling’s remarks? Exploit them as a race hustle? Walk around with an anti-white chip on his shoulder?
Abdul-Jabbar said, “Yeah, but he hasn’t asked for any forgiveness. He seems pretty secure in his attitude. And again, that’s part of the problem.”
Bingo.
You can watch the bizarre interview below.
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mj - the same one commented
2014-05-04 02:34:40 -0400
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@ Visitor55: “POS borally would probably put a “Muslim” sign on Kareem’s forehead if he could.”
I’d love to see him try — he’d get the same treatment from Jabbar as did the Bucks’ Kent Benson in 1977 . . .
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I’d love to see him try — he’d get the same treatment from Jabbar as did the Bucks’ Kent Benson in 1977 . . .
.
Aria Prescott commented
2014-05-01 23:36:22 -0400
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Doesn’t make it better if that’s the case, Ellen.
Ellen commented
2014-05-01 22:58:50 -0400
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You guys are right that O’Reilly could have been thinking about Abdul-Jabbar’s religion. But the context of the discussion was Sterling and race so I took that as the issue.
Jerry Waddle commented
2014-05-01 20:44:51 -0400
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It’s NOT a blanket statement. I didn’t say “all”. I named names and I could name more. I’m white but am married to a black woman, together for forty years. I’m well acquainted with the racism in our society and I’m also well acquainted with well meaning but misdirected black “spokespersons”. They do more damage than good. Al Sharpton is a perfect example. The only thing he is good at is promoting Al Sharpton. He has NO authority to speak for anyone other than himself and Twana Brawley. Another thing Sharpton has done is to extort “donations” to his National Action Network from major corporations to prevent boycotts against them. This is something he learned from Jesse Jackson, another black man who long ago outlived his usefulness as a “spokesperson” for African Americans. Sharpton has been investigated by the IRS for many of those “donations” and has had several tax liens filed against him for unpaid taxes.
Lakeview Greg commented
2014-05-01 19:22:59 -0400
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Now now, Jerry, don’t take what I happened to say about one man and turn it into a blanket statement. That’s not nice. And wrong as well.
Jerry Waddle commented
2014-05-01 18:36:34 -0400
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@lakeviewgreg; My guess is that he was receiving a “commission” on the NAACP donations, paving the way for Sterling. It looks like it was the LA chapter of the NAACP that dropped the ball on not vetting Jenkins well enough. Being a member is one thing but President? They did not do due diligence. Let’s hope they have learned their lesson. There are many loud mouthed black men out there that do not well serve the African american community. Al Sharpton and J. Jackson Jr. come to mind.
Aria Prescott commented
2014-05-01 17:48:39 -0400
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DING DING DING DING! And Greg nails it!
Like I commented a couple times already, there’s no proof that Sterling is keeping the goodwill and quick forgiveness towards him by force, but it sure seems that way. Jenkins is the only person not biting his lip forgiving him, everyone else acts like there’s a consequence if they don’t.
In many ways, this is starting to remind me of a Batman villain named Ferris Boyle.
Like I commented a couple times already, there’s no proof that Sterling is keeping the goodwill and quick forgiveness towards him by force, but it sure seems that way. Jenkins is the only person not biting his lip forgiving him, everyone else acts like there’s a consequence if they don’t.
In many ways, this is starting to remind me of a Batman villain named Ferris Boyle.
Lakeview Greg commented
2014-05-01 15:25:35 -0400
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Actually, it is just the LA chapter of the NAACP, and more specifically, its Chapter head, Leon Jenkins, who seems to be In the habit of selling his opinion for money.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-in-wake-of-sterling-scandal-naacp-leader-under-scrutiny-20140430,0,1220086.story
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-in-wake-of-sterling-scandal-naacp-leader-under-scrutiny-20140430,0,1220086.story
Tom Berger commented
2014-05-01 15:06:44 -0400
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You can take this two ways. One, Bill is trying to show people that black people are not all pissed off, “down with the man, everbody is racist” thing. Or he’s an A’hole.
I don’t know how to take this, but I’m leaning towards A’hole. I don’t know what his thoughts were when asking these questions.
Kareem nailed it on the last two paragraphs.
So onto the next thing.
What i find odd is the NAACP forgives sterling. Why? Just like Kareem said, he never asked for forgiveness. At least i haven’t read anywhere that he did.
This guy has a long history of racism, and NOW they are jumping over him. Any thoughts on that? Why wait 10-15 years to hammer him?
I don’t know how to take this, but I’m leaning towards A’hole. I don’t know what his thoughts were when asking these questions.
Kareem nailed it on the last two paragraphs.
So onto the next thing.
What i find odd is the NAACP forgives sterling. Why? Just like Kareem said, he never asked for forgiveness. At least i haven’t read anywhere that he did.
This guy has a long history of racism, and NOW they are jumping over him. Any thoughts on that? Why wait 10-15 years to hammer him?
Lakeview Greg commented
2014-05-01 14:52:00 -0400
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Oh, and Kareem made me pull my hair out with that damn sky hook when he was with the Bucks. I’m a Bulls fan.
Lakeview Greg commented
2014-05-01 14:50:31 -0400
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Jabbar had expressed concerns for possible privacy rights violations in a statement he issued earlier. He also seemed to blame Sterling’s girlfriend to some extent.
Wonder why orally didn’t try to find some common ground with Jabbar? Probably because orally just seized on Jabbar’s feelings about Sterling.
Orally could have made an ally to some extent. He chose not to. Once again, orally chose poorly.
Wonder why orally didn’t try to find some common ground with Jabbar? Probably because orally just seized on Jabbar’s feelings about Sterling.
Orally could have made an ally to some extent. He chose not to. Once again, orally chose poorly.
Joseph West commented
2014-05-01 13:55:48 -0400
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@ Richard: The funniest parts of “Airplane” involving Kareem are first, when Joey, the little boy’s visiting the cockpit (this is also the scene when we get the “Do you like gladiator movies” line) and he says “Hey, you’re Kareem Abdul-Jabbar” which he denies—right up till the time the boy starts talking about how his dad says Kareem’s not really that great a player and he grabs the boy’s shirt, pulls him in and starts, well, from IMDb.com:
Roger Murdock: But just remember, my name is…
[showing his nametag]
Roger Murdock: ROGER MURDOCK. I’m an airline pilot.
Joey: I think you’re the greatest, but my dad says you don’t work hard enough on defense.
[Kareem gets angry]
Joey: And he says that lots of times, you don’t even run down court. And that you don’t really try… except during the playoffs.
Roger Murdock: [breaking character] The hell I don’t! LISTEN, KID! I’ve been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA. I’m out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.
At which point, he lets go of Joey who backs away (with a look of “Oh crap—I just pissed my pants”).
The other scene is just after the cockpit crew is discovered to be unconscious from the bad dinner and Kareem is in his Lakers’ uniform. (It’s been a while but I think he also was holding a basketball in the scene.)
There really isn’t a bad scene in the whole film. It’s one of those rare films (and I think it was probably the first) to just throw out one-liners and random scenes of sheer crazy and have more than 99% of them hit the mark. (Barbara Billingsley translating the Black passengers’ jive—“Stewardess, I speak jive” ending with “chump don’t want no help, chump don’t get no help!”; a young boy chats up a little girl, offering her coffee and when he asks if she’d like some cream, “No thank you, I take it black like my men; Ted’s recounting his hospital stay—”That’s Lt Hurwitz; severe shell-shock. He thinks he’s Ethel Merman" at which point the real Ethel Merman bolts up from the bed and starts singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”; a passenger accepts a second cup of coffee, and his wife thinks “Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home” and later, after he takes an airsickness bag and begins puking into it, she thinks “Jim never vomits at home”; Johnny in the control tower and his just out-there reactions; Steve McCroskey and his whole “this was a bad week to stop” running gag; the hysterical passenger and the line to shut her up. Hilarity from start to finish.)
Roger Murdock: But just remember, my name is…
[showing his nametag]
Roger Murdock: ROGER MURDOCK. I’m an airline pilot.
Joey: I think you’re the greatest, but my dad says you don’t work hard enough on defense.
[Kareem gets angry]
Joey: And he says that lots of times, you don’t even run down court. And that you don’t really try… except during the playoffs.
Roger Murdock: [breaking character] The hell I don’t! LISTEN, KID! I’ve been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA. I’m out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.
At which point, he lets go of Joey who backs away (with a look of “Oh crap—I just pissed my pants”).
The other scene is just after the cockpit crew is discovered to be unconscious from the bad dinner and Kareem is in his Lakers’ uniform. (It’s been a while but I think he also was holding a basketball in the scene.)
There really isn’t a bad scene in the whole film. It’s one of those rare films (and I think it was probably the first) to just throw out one-liners and random scenes of sheer crazy and have more than 99% of them hit the mark. (Barbara Billingsley translating the Black passengers’ jive—“Stewardess, I speak jive” ending with “chump don’t want no help, chump don’t get no help!”; a young boy chats up a little girl, offering her coffee and when he asks if she’d like some cream, “No thank you, I take it black like my men; Ted’s recounting his hospital stay—”That’s Lt Hurwitz; severe shell-shock. He thinks he’s Ethel Merman" at which point the real Ethel Merman bolts up from the bed and starts singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”; a passenger accepts a second cup of coffee, and his wife thinks “Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home” and later, after he takes an airsickness bag and begins puking into it, she thinks “Jim never vomits at home”; Johnny in the control tower and his just out-there reactions; Steve McCroskey and his whole “this was a bad week to stop” running gag; the hysterical passenger and the line to shut her up. Hilarity from start to finish.)
Jan Hall commented
2014-05-01 13:45:58 -0400
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Junior O’Reilly’s goal in this interview it seems to me was to show his Archie Bunker audience that since Kareem Abdul-Jabber and his family have been “for the most part” treated fairly therefore Junior’s AB audience will believe all African-Americans have been treated fairly. I think Junior’s audience will buy it. But no one else will.
Anne-claire Souza commented
2014-05-01 11:51:30 -0400
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I know it is a daily occurance with Bile but, I still am shocked when this rude condencending POS asks these kind of questions of people who don’t quite fit in his sick world.
Richard Santalone commented
2014-05-01 10:45:49 -0400
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From Jerry Waddle’s comment:
“I think a more objective description of O’Reilly is that he is just a huge asshole.”
Yes indeed Jerry — simply put, O’Reilly is a HUGE “born on third base but thinks he hit a triple” a**hole.
“I think a more objective description of O’Reilly is that he is just a huge asshole.”
Yes indeed Jerry — simply put, O’Reilly is a HUGE “born on third base but thinks he hit a triple” a**hole.
Richard Santalone commented
2014-05-01 10:40:55 -0400
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From doors17’s comment:
“He was also very funny in the movie “Airplane”."
LMAO! Yes he was — he played the co-pilot named “Roger Murdoch”. The pilot (Capt. Oveur) was played by the late Peter Graves, best known for his role in the 1970s TV show “Mission: Impossible”. Remember this dialogue? :
LAX AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER: Flight two-zero-niner, you are cleared to taxi to runway one-niner.
CAPT. OVEUR: Roger!
MURDOCH: HUH?!?
:^)
“He was also very funny in the movie “Airplane”."
LMAO! Yes he was — he played the co-pilot named “Roger Murdoch”. The pilot (Capt. Oveur) was played by the late Peter Graves, best known for his role in the 1970s TV show “Mission: Impossible”. Remember this dialogue? :
LAX AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER: Flight two-zero-niner, you are cleared to taxi to runway one-niner.
CAPT. OVEUR: Roger!
MURDOCH: HUH?!?
:^)
Bemused commented
2014-05-01 10:26:37 -0400
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What a lovely response to rudeness:
“For the most part. There’s pluses and minuses. Being a black American sometimes means that you have to deal with some things that you shouldn’t. But I don’t think that there’s any ethnic group in this country that hasn’t had a similar experience. It’s just that the whole issue of the slave trade made it different for people from Africa.”
Being of fairly recent Irish origin, Bill O’Reilly should have recognised this as a great put-down. But he didn’t because he remains willfully ignorant of how badly the Irish were treated even though they came over as supposedly free men, not slaves who could be bought and sold like livestock.
Kareem Abdul Jamaar is an intelligent and perceptive person, IMO.
“For the most part. There’s pluses and minuses. Being a black American sometimes means that you have to deal with some things that you shouldn’t. But I don’t think that there’s any ethnic group in this country that hasn’t had a similar experience. It’s just that the whole issue of the slave trade made it different for people from Africa.”
Being of fairly recent Irish origin, Bill O’Reilly should have recognised this as a great put-down. But he didn’t because he remains willfully ignorant of how badly the Irish were treated even though they came over as supposedly free men, not slaves who could be bought and sold like livestock.
Kareem Abdul Jamaar is an intelligent and perceptive person, IMO.
d d commented
2014-05-01 10:18:33 -0400
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Spot on, sandman1 – and BOR damn well knows that. That question was BOR at his insulting, condescending best (worst). This was just another example of BOR’s sly, insinuating dog whistles about Blacks to his viewer base.
And I think mj is on to something there too. When BOR asked that of Kareem, I had a quick flashback to Glenn Bek questioning the patriotism of the 1st Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison, by asking him to prove that he was “not working with our enemies.” Hats off to Kareem for handling such a rude question with incredible grace.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/14/gb.01.html
And I think mj is on to something there too. When BOR asked that of Kareem, I had a quick flashback to Glenn Bek questioning the patriotism of the 1st Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison, by asking him to prove that he was “not working with our enemies.” Hats off to Kareem for handling such a rude question with incredible grace.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/14/gb.01.html
doors17 commented
2014-05-01 10:08:10 -0400
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Growing up in Los Angeles I was fortunate to watch Kareem throughout his career. For those of you who do not know about the man he was the most dominating player in college basketball history during his days at UCLA when he was known as Lew Alcindor. The Bruins went 88-2 during his three years on the John Wooden lead varsity teams and they won three national championships. They even had to eliminate the slam dunk because of his greatness and the dunk wasn’t allowed again until 1976.
During his 20 year NBA career he left as the all time leading scorer in league history and had that unstoppable sky hook. He won 6 world championships, one with the Milwaukee Bucks and 5 with my Los Angeles Lakers. He was also very funny in the movie Airplane.
I do remember the controversy and the outpouring of hate he received when he converted to the Muslin faith around 1972 and the name change. I wonder if that was the reasoning behind Bill’s odd questioning. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has always remained a man of tremendous class which showed in this interview. I wish him much happiness and good health. We need more like him, not just in sports but in society.
During his 20 year NBA career he left as the all time leading scorer in league history and had that unstoppable sky hook. He won 6 world championships, one with the Milwaukee Bucks and 5 with my Los Angeles Lakers. He was also very funny in the movie Airplane.
I do remember the controversy and the outpouring of hate he received when he converted to the Muslin faith around 1972 and the name change. I wonder if that was the reasoning behind Bill’s odd questioning. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has always remained a man of tremendous class which showed in this interview. I wish him much happiness and good health. We need more like him, not just in sports but in society.
Antoinette commented
2014-05-01 04:08:08 -0400
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If Billy asks you if you love your country give him this response.
“We love our country as much as you loved your ex-wife Maureen.” Or you can insert Andrea’s name.
“We love our country as much as you loved your ex-wife Maureen.” Or you can insert Andrea’s name.
mj - the same one commented
2014-05-01 00:44:39 -0400
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“But clearly, O’Reilly seemed to think Abdul-Jabbar had a sign saying, ‘African American’ on his forehead.”
More likely, BillO thought Abdul-Jabbar had a sign saying, “Muslim” on his forehead . . .
.
More likely, BillO thought Abdul-Jabbar had a sign saying, “Muslim” on his forehead . . .
.
Jerry Waddle commented
2014-05-01 00:42:30 -0400
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Saying O’Reilly is patronizing and condescending has been very obvious for many years. I think it’s part of his DNA. His parents were probably patronizing and condescending. I think a more objective description of O’Reilly is that he is just a huge asshole. It’s no surprise that he is the biggest star on Fox News. Assholes attract each other. Thank you for making it unnecessary to watch. I have my hands full monitoring HATE RADIO.
Joseph West commented
2014-05-01 00:14:25 -0400
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Gary, you may think it but I know it. How do I know it? It’s part of O’Reilly’s DNA to be patronizing and condescending.
Joseph West commented
2014-05-01 00:12:59 -0400
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Kareem, when asked if he loves his country, should’ve turned it around on O’Reilly and asked him if Bill loves his country.
Or just said, “I love this country as much as you do, Bill. Or maybe even more.”
Or just said, “I love this country as much as you do, Bill. Or maybe even more.”
Gary Oliveira commented
2014-04-30 23:58:48 -0400
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I think Bill O’Reilly was patronizing and condescending.
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2014-04-30 23:20:41 -0400
I think O'Reilly looked at Abdul-Jabbar and saw "African American" written on his forehead.
