As to stereotypes, of course they exist but that does not mean they have to be correct. You assume as a white child I could talk back to my parents, but as the son of a Navy man I can assure that was not the case. Its the assumption that is the problem, not the stereotype. Nor do I think you should walk on eggshells, rather just not leap to conclusions based on race. Its one thing to speak your mind, to call a spade a spade so to speak, but its quite another to dismiss someone else outright.

Nor do I think you are a racist, you are clearly just passionate about the subject as am I although perhaps a bit quick to dismiss the opinions of a white man on a “black” issue. I guess our point of difference is that while you have an opinion on how Jordan should conduct himself in your (not particularly comfortable phrasing it that way) community, my opinion is that no one has a clear enough picture of what he actually does or thinks as a basis to form such an opinion. Even if I do agree he should spend much more time doing anything more constructive than playing golf or gambling.

As to you, I wish you much success with your charitable work as well and I believe that is what we should both be concentrating on. Two ordinary men working hard for the betterment of everyone.

If you think I’m a racist than whatever, I’m not about breaking my neck to prove something to some guy on the internet. I have an opinion on what I thought Michael Jordan should do for mine and HIS people and I stick by it. Whether you agree or disagree is totally up to you. Much success with all of your charitable work.

I’m certainly not offended, you are of course entitled to your opinion. Although you are being presumptive that I have not been exposed; as to what I am not sure as you do not define as to what I have to have been exposed to.

However, let me tell you what I have seen. I spend my entire day working for ALL the children of NYC. So they have free books and a place to learn and study in safety, and by the way disadvantaged children come in every color. I have also spend time every Christmas helping my family with their various charitable causes (a homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta and Open Hand, a wonderful organization that does outreach to terminal AIDS victims), so I do think I am qualified to make a statement on the nature of philanthropy and the plight of the less fortunate.

The fact that you can’t accept my opinion on this matter shows that you are actually the racist. By automatically assuming because I am white that I cannot understand the plight of anyone else you have created a textbook stereotype. Although yes I do like egg salad, but not Lohan.

P.S. I guess everyone can understand Walt Disney was a bastard.

But because you’re not black you can’t understand this issue. You’re speaking without any insight, without any real true sentiment regarding the matter. Every culture has issues and things that another culture will NEVER understand.

Im being honest with this one. It’s not because you’re not black that you can’t understand this one, it’s because you haven’t been exposed that I can’t respect your opinion on the matter. There are cultural differences man, I’ll never get why white people love egg salad and Lindsey Lohan so much. And you’ll never understand why I want black people, men especially, to give back to those who don’t have… If you’re offended, idk what to tell you to. it’s just one of those things…

I think you missed my point. I wasn’t trying to suggest that there was some mystical Jabberwocky-like Jordan AAU team. What I was trying to convey was that he has no obligation to reveal what charitable work he does or that any charitable work he might do could even be casually found. My point was more that just because you do work in your own community, you have no right to dictate how he should work in his or even assume you have a complete picture of the impact he has on various communities. I am all for not creating demi-gods of athletes, but there has to be an understanding that they are under amazing scrutiny and bashing them for what they are not doing is not as productive as supporting what they are doing.

As to my race, how the hell does that matter? I am not black, but saying that my not being black completely and irrevocably refutes my ability to comment on black subjects is slightly retarded. That’s like me saying because your not white, you have no hope in hell of ever understanding why Walt Disney was a bastard. Whatever a man does regardless of his race is his own decision and can only be judged by his own consciousness and whatever God (or lack of) that he believes in.