5-29-2011
INTRODUCING JOHN THOMAS: LOCAL SPORTS TALK IS CURRENTLY PATHETIC!
I often wondered if there was anyone out there who like me could no longer support the other local stations in our area for our sportstalk. It has gotten way too pathetic for me!
I recently had the opportunity to speak about this very subject with Mr. Craig Shelton who guests on Ralph Cooper’s "Sports Rap" program every Tuesday from 5-6 pm.
It was really nice to converse with someone who has the inside knowledge of this city's sportstalk environment. And upon his invitation, I took the opportunity to further communicate with him via the website, "HoustonMediaWatch.Com", about my varied concerns; and to my surprise and delight, he suggested that I join the "HMW" family and contribute BLOG articles on the website. I quickly responded affirmatively. So, here we are with the first of many to come.
I often wonder how these "sportstalk" hosts can look themselves in the mirror with all the bullcrap "takes" and diatribes they spout. They must sit around their homes and dream up "takes", in relation to current events in the world of sports that will make prejudiced older corporate types and the so-called young angry white males feel good about themselves, and bad about the black athlete, whom they generally despise for their abilities and their wealth.
I know they can't believe 90% of that stuff themselves. I mean we all were born with consciences, weren’t we? But I guess they are trying to cater to that targeted demographic. I am particularly troubled by the demonizing of black athletes, in general, for any minor discretion, it seems.
They do it with a self-righteousness that basically makes me want to throw-up. They often act like these young men are either supermen or robots completely devoid of emotional responses to life's ups-and-downs. It's hilarious how they act, as if they have no flaws of their own. They criticize them for even having personal opinions. And when you bring to their attention that all "they" do is give opinions, they say that "it is my job to give opinions", as if there is a scripture in the Bible that says you can only have an opinion, if it's your job.
One of them in particular really makes me want to go to the toilet; one Mr. Rich Lord. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the things that emanate from his mug, because his knowledge of every jive-time television show and movie known to man is astounding. That has to be why he knows very little about sports, sans baseball of course, where a certain type of white person look for their sports heroes.
Mr. Lord doesn’t have time to develop any virtuous qualities. He no doubt spends his time either watching or waiting to watch the next episode of "Family Guy" or "Two and a Half Men", etc. Also, his ability to spout off old super jive cliches trips me out to no end. If I never hear "that’s putting the cart before the horse", "I know I’m going out on a limb", et al again, it will be a year-and-a-half too soon.
He seems to take pride in being super white and super jive. It would take him a half of a hot second to realize that he and I should not even be in the same zip code at the same time. As I do not suffer such calculated pitifulness at all, it would be written all over my countenance.
It would be laughable, if it was not so pathetic, the way they discuss racial issues. It’s amazing how one so super white (i.e., Rich Lord, Mark Vandermeer) can always tell us what is racially prejudiced and what isn’t racially prejudiced. Let them tell it, nothing is ever racist, when it comes to the world of sports. As if we have to be schooled by them, on what really is.
They even have the monopoly, if you will, on the knowledge of who has character, as well as who doesn’t, believe it or not. Let them tell it, if you “say all the right things”, and be sure to be politically correct, get along with the media, make sure you do all your wrong in the comfort of your own home, then you are a “high character guy”.
But to be one of dubious character, all you have to be is black, and have an opinion; and please don’t be a self-promoter, or fail to get along with the media. You’re persona non- grata.
Can someone suggest to these gentlemen, that they should perhaps look up the word "character"? It’s more a sign of character, if a man does go against the crap that emanates especially from what is referred to as the sportstalk media, without regard as to whether or not his endorsement company would approve.
The morning crew at 610 is so sad, adjectives escape me that would give it its dubious due. It has become exceedingly difficult for me to spend even a few moments of my valuable time taking in what is actually not sportstalk at all. (A word to 610 management: Pop culture is highly overrated).
With the launching of "The Cut", along with "HMW", we are presented with an amazing opportunity that cannot be taken for granted. Support is the keyword. 610 is only able to give us this mess, because unfortunately they get the support. Those of us who are honest-hearted, conscientious human beings now have the opportunity to support a program that is real. So, I’m going to keep a positive attitude; I have the confidence there are many who like myself can only support that which is real.
Sportstalk has gotten a lot like today’s music, as we’re told what is good and what is bad, as if our own ears and minds do not reveal the truth to us. Now we have a chance to do something about the sportstalk in our area. Let’s support what is real.
Well, I've ranted enough for today; my next blog will be more on the subject of racism in sports.
Born in Houston, TX, my first seven years were spent living in the old Sunnyside part of town. The street that I lived on no longer exists, as 288 just south of 610 is where it was located. I graduated from Sterling High School.
When my parents divorced I moved with my mother and five other siblings to San Pedro, CA, which is about 25 miles south of L.A. I was seven-years-old then and living in that small coastal city was really nice.
I moved back to Houston to live with my father for two years, who lived in the South Park section of the city, and it was while living with him that I attended and graduated from Sterling High School.
I played both basketball and football, and ran track as well. But football is my first love. In fact, I tried out for the Houston Gamblers football team in 1984. But, while training for the camp, my diligence in training led to my developing tendinitis in one of my knees. My 40-yard dash time went from 4.38 to 4.62 at the camp. At the position of cornerback, which I was trying out for, all the starters were running under 4.4, so that did me in. Though I had quite the experience training with several Houston Oilers at Camp Williams, Tom Williams camps were so nasty that by the time the actual football camp started, if you weren’t injured, it would be a breeze.
After high school I joined the Navy. Living in San Pedro as a boy, living about two blocks from the ocean made me develop a love for the sea; that’s why I joined the Navy, as well as I had a desire to see the world.
I had some wonderful adventures while in the Navy. I had the opportunity to travel to most of the Oriental countries. I started boxing while in the Navy, as an outlet for the anger I had built within me for the injustices I perceived in this world, and particularly in this country. I was always a fighter, so boxing came naturally for me. My record was 22-0, 22 KOs, and I was the Navy champion.
I remember how hard it was for me to find and/or keep sparring partners, because they would complain that they could never hit me. I was blessed with good size and reflexes; 6’ 2½" tall. I got my nickname "Catman J" while boxing, because of my speed, quickness, strength, and tenaciousness.
I am presently an independent musician, living in far-west Houston, with my wife and youngest son, Jacob. My other two sons, Jonathan and Jeshua, have graduated and are on their own. Jacob graduates this year.
My love of sports is matched only by my love of music. I am primarily a bass player, but I can also play lead guitar, as well as some keyboards. I released my first CD in 2001, and I am looking forward to my next project.
JOHN THOMAS
HMW
Itunes Search: HoustonMediawatch (One Word)
Email: houstonmediawatch.com
Twitter: Catmanj_creeps_
Twitter: LesbianCraig
Facebook Search: Hmw Shelton & Craig Shelton and join both
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