News
Did NBC Air a Monkey Gymnastics Ad Right After Gabby’s Win?
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, KultureKritic.com
We can’t imagine NBC deliberately undermining one of the greatest golden girls in the history of sport. After all, with the sagging ratings that the network has had to endure during these Olympic games, Gabby Douglas has been their hero.
But a recent ad that appeared right after Gabby’s win had some eyebrows crinkled and heads turning. The ad, which ran right after Bob Costas spoke fondly of Gabby’s accomplishment, consisted of a monkey with an Olympic dream, preparing to perform a gymnastics routine.
Some have called the ad racist, but others are stating that it’s probably just a coincidence. But then again, NBC was also the network that fueled charges of racism by serving fried chicken in honor of Black History Month.
Assuming that the YouTube video one of our readers sent me is not some kind of sick stunt (several of my Facebook friends recall seeing the ad live), we’re going to assume that if they had it all to do over again, NBC wouldn’t air an ad about a monkey doing gymnastics right after such an historic event. I even took the liberty this week of dumping Gabby’s nickname, “The Flying Squirrel,” because it reminded me too much of the Flying Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz. I instead argue that we should call her “The Flying Princess” instead – we have enough black people being compared to animals already.
Perhaps since NBC owns TheGrio.com, they can invite some of their staff members to a meeting to explain Offensive Racism 101. The first rule would be to never portray a monkey engaged in the same activity that a black person just performed right before. The joke isn’t funny and it’s flabbergasting that a network that controls a major black online news organization would make such a blatant and ridiculous error. Black people and monkeys just don’t mix….ever.
These kinds of major screw-ups on a global stage should be wake-up calls for companies like NBC to understand what true diversity really means. When you put out an ad about a monkey doing gymnastics right after presenting one of the greatest black female athletic performances in history, it’s clear that there could NOT have been an intelligent black person in the room when that particular decision was made.
Maybe NBC needs to go hire a few more black people. This should never have happened and they know it. Also, I grow tired of seeing networks insult black people and then refuse to apologize, only stating that it “wasn’t their intention” to be so offensive. Most people never intend to be ignorant.
The video is below:
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
VonB
August 3, 2018 at 4:52 pm
They have been airing that monkey all during the olympics in different commercials for different competitions.
Derrick
August 4, 2018 at 4:49 am
@vonb:
I guess those yankees know that caucasoids EVOLVED from monkeys and apes, eh?
You caucasoids and your racist codes!!!
YOU PEOPLE ARE REALLY SICK!!!
Ylg
August 3, 2018 at 4:57 pm
This commercial has been running all week and was programmed to run at that time no matter who had won that event. If it was a Russian or Chinese gymnast that had won, that commercial would have still been run. Please let’s celebrate her victory and stop talking all this negativity about this little girl, and let her enjoy her moment.
Regina
August 4, 2018 at 10:09 am
Really!!!! YLG because there were instant commercials made for Michael Phelps after his 19th medal, and they were showing the commercial instantly. So I hardly believe that this was a commercial that was made weeks ago as you stated. But I doesn’t matter she is still the greatest of all times.
LC
August 4, 2018 at 10:31 pm
Oh yeah, you’re right, they have those 5 actors standing by to make a racist commercial if a black girl won the AA Gold. If a Russian won they also had a show cat on hand to tape on the balance beam. Get a grip. And perhaps hit the gym, learn about gymnastics because I bet you know absolutely nothing.
me112233
August 5, 2018 at 10:01 pm
The difference being that Michael Phelps was virtually certain to win some medals. Phelphs has also been around a LONG time for an Olympic athlete, so he was a known quantity. Therefore, it was reasonable to have a pre-made ad for him. Gabby, though certainly she was believed to have a chance, was not a shoe-in to win; in fact, other gymnasts were favored to win. The stupid monkey commercials have been run numerous times throughout the Olympics, and this is the FIRST time it happened to run in conjunction with a black athlete winning an event. Funny, there was no outrage when it was run after a white or asian person had just done an event. Get over yourself; you are overly sensitive, and have found a way to find racism in everything. Why don’t you save your righteous indignation for circumstances where real racism is occurring.
AP
August 3, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Damn .. It was actually funny it was probably bad timing because commercials are preprogrammed how did they know Gabby was going to win. I mean had she not one and they still played it would still be saying racism cuz she lost. The lil monkey in the commercial saying he not she been waiting all his life to win. Oh well… People need to grow thick skin. This young lady got 90million worth of endorsements on the table you think she cares about a commercial or BLACK people talk about her hair???
Also the Rule 40 protest is stupid too. Why protest to support your endorser that did NOT pay for a spot for advertisement? But you wanna give free press??? Wtf? People take activism too far!
Go GABBY …USA who cares about the trivial bullshit when we talk about ourselves.
GEE
August 3, 2018 at 5:00 pm
I TIRED to take the HIGH ROAD when I saw the ad with the MONKEY going for gold. NOW I DON’T THINK THAT IT WAS A COINCIDENCE!!! IT WAS RIGHT AFTER SHE WON, SO SOMEBODY AT NBC HAD TO BE THINKING IN ADVANCE OF HER WIN. HOW RACIST.
I AM GOING TO EMAIL….TWITTER NBC ABOUT THIS!!! WE ALL SHOULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dsaint
August 3, 2018 at 5:51 pm
This is sooo stupid! LET IT GO PEOPLE!!
WizardG
August 3, 2018 at 9:59 pm
Contrary to the beliefs of those who would shut down in belief that we African Americans, “blacks” aren’t being constantly conspired against, and aren’t being discriminated against, and aren’t being shot in the streets by police, and aren’t seeing our leaders and ourselves demeaned and denigrated every day.
And aren’t being disrespected at every turn, and aren’t being denied jobs in order to hire “whites” and others, and aren’t being secretly experimented on, and aren’t being corralled into poverty and the prison system, and aren’t being lied to constantly, and aren’t being cheated of home mortgages, and aren’t being neglected and made scapegoats and the ongoing joke of the nation.
You say to let it go? Where exactly do you think we are? What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Instead of falling for every con the ‘Anglo-elite’ toss at us, we should be trying to create a way to unify our “community” and enlighten everyone (properly) without using the superstitious religion psychosis! Let it go indeed!!!
WizardG
August 3, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Contrary to the beliefs of those who would shut down in belief that we African Americans, “blacks” aren’t being constantly conspired against, and aren’t being discriminated against, and aren’t being shot in the streets by police, and aren’t seeing our leaders and ourselves demeaned and denigrated every day.
And aren’t being disrespected at every turn, and aren’t being denied jobs in order to hire “whites” and others, and aren’t being secretly experimented on, and aren’t being corralled into poverty and the prison system, and aren’t being lied to constantly, and aren’t being cheated of home mortgages, and aren’t being neglected and made scapegoats and the ongoing joke of the nation.
You say to let it go? Where exactly do you think we are? What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Instead of falling for every con the ‘Anglo-elite’ toss at us, we should be trying to create a way to unify our “community” and enlighten everyone (properly) without using the superstitious religion psychosis! Let it go indeed!!!
WizardG
August 3, 2018 at 10:04 pm
@Dsaint
Contrary to the beliefs of those who would shut down in belief that we African Americans, “blacks” aren’t being constantly conspired against, and aren’t being discriminated against, and aren’t being shot in the streets by police, and aren’t seeing our leaders and ourselves demeaned and denigrated every day.
And aren’t being disrespected at every turn, and aren’t being denied jobs in order to hire “whites” and others, and aren’t being secretly experimented on, and aren’t being corralled into poverty and the prison system, and aren’t being lied to constantly, and aren’t being cheated of home mortgages, and aren’t being neglected and made scapegoats and the ongoing joke of the nation.
You say to let it go? Where exactly do you think we are? What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Instead of falling for every con the ‘Anglo-elite’ toss at us, we should be trying to create a way to unify our “community” and enlighten everyone (properly) without using the superstitious religion psychosis! Let it go indeed!!!
WizardG
August 3, 2018 at 10:14 pm
@Dsaint
We African Americans, “blacks” are constantly being conspired against, and discriminated against, and being shot in the streets by police, and we witness our social leaders demeaned and denigrated every day right along with us!
We are being disrespected at every turn, and denied jobs in order to hire “whites” and ‘others’, and secretly experimented on, and corralled into poverty and the prison, and constantly conned and lied to, and cheated of home mortgages, and socially neglected, and made scapegoats and as always the ongoing joke of the nation! Our Anglo-elite “white dominant benefactors have created such a picture that very few other nationalities have any respect for us. Including some of us!
You say to let it go? Where exactly do you think we are? What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Instead of falling for every con the ‘Anglo-elite’ toss at us, we should be trying to create a way to unify our “community” and enlighten everyone (properly) without using the superstitious religion psychosis! Let it go indeed!!!
me112233
August 5, 2018 at 10:49 pm
The blacks are soooooo discriminated against that the white people who control gymnastics picked a black girl for the team. Yep, that’s racism for sure.
Police shooting black men in the streets? I suppose it happens once in a while, yet how many times was the black man who got shot in the process of committing a crime, fleeing arrest, or even shooting at the cops? And don’t forget, the #1 shooter of black men in the street is other black men. The cops aren’t even close in numbers.
A qualified black man will get the job every time. Look at the NBA, for a classic example of qualified black men getting great paying jobs. Employers are under extreme pressure to hire black people, yet must also hire qualified and capable workers; if the black applicants aren’t qualified for whatever job it is, the employers will, by necessity, hire a white person. And unlike the NBA, employers are even willing to hire a less-qualified black person if, in fact, the black person has the minimum qualifications.
Forty-three percent of WHITE people voted for Barack Obama, included most of the people at NBC. Do you think they voted for Obama because they are bunch of racists?
People go to prison because they commit felonies. Sure, once in a while, like 1 out of 10,000 times, you can find someone who was wrongfully convicted. The other 9,999 actually did it. If black people, mainly black men, would stop committing felonies, then the prisons wouldn’t have any black people in them. (Wrongful convictions, by the way, are known to happen to people of all races.) If black men would marry black women, and be a legit FATHER to their black boys, the odds are that not many black men would be in prison. The #1 predictor to a man going to prison is his being born to a woman that was never married to the sperm donor. The sad reality is that 3 out of 4 black babies today are born to mothers who are not married to the sperm donor. Criminal juvenile and adult males can almost always be traced back to a moralless mother who sleeps around. [Dont’ send me hate mail, just realize that the truth hurts.]
Black people are not corralled into poverty. Rather, they willingly jump into the quicksand of food stamps, Medicaid, and SSI, never able to get out because they aren’t willing to go through the difficult finanicial times that always occur between the time the govenment cuts off the benefits (because you got a job) and the time you start earning enough from that job to replace the benefits. I agree it is a messed up system, but recognize it was Democrats who invented it (Lyndon Johnson’s “great society” in 1967) and up to current day Obama who has made it even easier to get food stamps and suspended the work requirements that once existed.
Home mortgages? I got a first home in 2002, and only got that home because the bank loaned me most of the money (a mortgage). But here’s the difference — my payment is only $373 principal and interest. I purchased an old house on a nice lot in a middle-of-the-road neighborhood, not a brand new McMansion in one of those instant subdivisions with tiny lots on the edge of town. I know a lot of people who signed up for $1000+ house payments, and most of them were actually making less money than I was. So of course, when times got rough around 2008, those people were in deep doo-doo. My work was cut way back, too, but I didn’t need as much money to pay the “have to” stuff, so I found a part-time night job that paid about $500 a month (after taxes about $420); and guess what, I could make my house payment. The other thing — just like a new car, a new house loses value in the first couple of years (it ain’t new any more). When property values started dropping on everybody, my house only went down a little bit, but those McMansions across town went way down. Financial stability for most non-rich people comes from issues of behavior; meaning, only buy what you need, and only buy what you can afford on a bad day, and avoid spending money on flashy stuff (things like rims for your car or brand new houses would fit into that category) — flashy stuff always loses value faster than normal stuff does. The mortgage mess caught a lot of people in a bind, and factually, most of the people that got messed up were white, not black. It had nothing to with race, it had to do with stupid decisions.
Roger
August 5, 2018 at 11:24 pm
As special response to your question in the last paragraph: “What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Well, our president, Barack Hussein Obama, is a descendent of the past slave-owners. Moreover, he is NOT a descendent of a past slave. The very people you are railing against, you are supporing for president. And what do I suppose Barack Obama is doing about HIS negro problem? He is laughing his ass off, that’s what. He knows that no matter how much he ignores the “black community,” that virtually all blacks will vote for him. He knows that no matter how much unemployment gets worse in the “black community,” blacks will vote for him. He knows that no matter how many more blacks slide into poverty, blacks will vote for him. He knows that no matter how much money he sends the way of WHITE people on wall street, black people will still vote for him. He knows that no matter how many white business owners get multi-million dollar grants to prop up their phoney businesses (Solyndra, for example), black people will still vote for him. Barack Obama believes in his heart that balck people in America are the ultimate in self-hating stupidity, and will vote for him no matter what, simply because his skin is sort of the same color as theirs.
Pickle boo boo
August 4, 2018 at 1:28 am
Let what go. You have to either be white or an Uncle Tom to make a statement like this.
Barbara
August 4, 2018 at 9:31 am
NO, it is not stupid.
There’s a ‘not so covert’ SMEAR campaign going on against Black women in the tradiional media and on the Internet.
Example:
This Tina Fey woman had advertised Condi Rice would be on her show “30 Rock.” When the show aired, there was no Condi Rice on it; instead there was this Black guy calling Black women nappy headed hos’. He probably didn’t know he was being used for that purpose.
This monkey business was not a coincidence either.
me112233
August 5, 2018 at 10:09 pm
You mean the same Tina Fey that lampooned Sarah Palin? If you haven’t noticed, both Palin and Rice are Republicans, so Fey hates them both; that’s why Fey would do something rude towards Rice, not because of her race. You are so programmed to believe that any “attack” on a black person is based soley on racial issues; yet 99% of the time it is about a personal beef or politics. Tina Fey is a racial left-wing nut job, and she basically hates anyone with an “R” behind his/her name.
Really
August 4, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Really! You obviously have too much time on your hands. That monkey commercial that my family and I happen to have enjoyed, has nothing at all to do with Gabby. Tell me who the skeleton was suppose to be. So, you honestly believe that NBC had a commercial specifically for Gabby IF she was to win. Wow, you are stupid. It was very much anticipated that Phelp would win at least one gold they were prepared for that). Do you see my point.
Silly Fool-that commercial has nothing to do with Gabby.
By the way I am an African American.
BigJay
August 3, 2018 at 5:12 pm
@YLG, chances are you’re white and DO NOT live in a black society because if you did you wouldn’t sound so damn trivial! What’s up with the “little girl” remark? Once again America will always show its racist little head one way or another.
brenda joyce brown
August 3, 2018 at 5:14 pm
I saw the ad right after her win and raised my eyebrow. I hoped that this was not done on purpose but who knows. Some people just do not get it. There definitely needs to be a staff meeting on this one. Whoever placed this ad or agreeded to it being shown at that time, needs to be sat down and reprimanded. Like I said some people just do not get it or do they?
LAWAZIZ
August 3, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Stop making excuses for racism! They already knew after Jordon was eliminated that Gabby was the favorite for the gold. This was done on purpose.What do you expect coming from a racist past.Who will tell our story?
Soul Sista
August 4, 2018 at 8:53 am
Who will tell our stories? The TV producers know how influential TV and music is to our population. They know exactly how many hours we spend watching the stupid box and how much of our dollars follow the ads. However the media is not going to spend millions of dollars on shows and advertisements to make black girls and boys aspire to be anything positive. Look what happen to Different World and a host of other shows. We don’t have any shows on TV any more that represent us in a positive way…
then they show a monkey right after one of our little girls make it to the top according to their standards. She was number 1 according to our standards at the trials.
Onesilverbac
August 3, 2018 at 5:19 pm
DR. Boyce , what is your point?
You try to find racism where it does not exist! Stop it!
I think you you need some competition!
Pickle boo boo
August 4, 2018 at 1:25 am
I think you need to get a cp of coffee and relax. Boyce is right.
Northpilot
August 3, 2018 at 5:22 pm
I dunno…. I saw the ad right after Gabby won, and it never occurred to me that there was any connection to her made or implied.
I think people are reading too much into things. That would be like the Irish getting upset if there was a liquor ad right after an Irish athlete medalled. “Aye-Begorrah! They’re makin fun of my drinkin’ again, Brigitte!”
Doo Doo Brown
August 4, 2018 at 1:21 am
Babi, we understand you don’t get it. It’s the racial undertone that you missed. NBC wouldn’t do this to any other ethnic group, and we’re not going to let y’all do it to us. It goes on far too often and yes, the timing was bad. When the ad was played after Gabby won, it’s almost underhandedly saying that she looks like a monkey. Of course, African Americans were supposed to have missed this.
Doo Doo Brown
August 4, 2018 at 1:21 am
Babi, we understand you don’t get it. It’s the racial undertone that you missed. NBC wouldn’t do this to any other ethnic group, and we’re not going to let y’all do it to us. It goes on far too often and yes, the timing was bad. When the ad was played after Gabby won, it’s almost underhandedly saying that she looks like a monkey. Of course, African Americans were supposed to have missed this.
AMAZINGGRACE
August 3, 2018 at 5:28 pm
OK, that does it…I will personally STOP WATCHING NBC effective immediately. I really have NOT been fond of their HEIST of the Olympics this time. They are the only network that airs the results, because they spent BILLIONS to have exclusivity, and at the same time you have to deal with commentators making snide remarks, especially when a female commentator said “interesting” when Gabby did her routine on the uneven bars during the finals yesterday. Now this takes the preverbal cake. Once you allow ANY NETWORK exclusivity its dangerous, for they assume you have nowhere else to go. Well in these days and times Thanks goodness for YOUTUBE….And I will be filing a formal complaint as well.
The Angel
August 3, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I just want to say, everything is not racial until we (black folk) make it racial.
Now in my intelligent mind, ads are already pre-scheduled to run at certain times and days. If the ad happened to run right after Gabby, I would have to believe that it was a coincident, not in anyway racial.
Why do we have to always jump to this conclusion? There is something more going on in our minds that make us like this, seriously. The slave mentality, will it ever die within us? Not if things like this continue to be promoted.
I know that there is racism in Amerixa, but it is not as much as we preceive it to be on every issue. I am so tired of having to have this conversation. Blacks will never get past the slave mentality when other blacks make every issue a racial issue. I love being black but I hte being reminded of all the thiinks that we create in our own mindds to be racial. Let’s get past this.
mini haha
August 3, 2018 at 6:31 pm
Ms intelligent (white folk) has and are always sending subliminal messages about Black Folks, so we will continue to self hate. Don’t believe or let these people put a value on blacks folks. God make us in his image, just as he made them. Get This. They will never accept us as equal. We as a race have to value our selfs. Take a long look at your beauty. They are always trying to darken their skins for years. Have u ever seen apale face with his shirt off and no tan. erk. sporting big lips. Its all about who has the money. And they dont want us having money. we might LOOK TOO GOOD and enjoy life too much, and feel important. ha ha
DaTruth
August 3, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Where have u been living under a rock? R all the racist attacks against Prez Obama & his family “going on in our minds” also? Becuz he & his family r routinely referred to as apes, monkeys, etc. Quite the contrary, I think those who clearly refuse to see, apologize for & dismiss the criminal, negative demeaning images that racist mainstream media uses to portray blks constantly r the ones who have the true slave mentality. These msgs r subliminal & r seldom a coincidence.
DaTruth
August 3, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Where have u been living under a rock? R all the racist attacks against Prez Obama & his family “going on in our minds” also? Becuz he & his family r routinely referred to as apes, monkeys, etc. Quite the contrary, I think those who clearly refuse to see, apologize for & dismiss the criminal, negative demeaning images that racist mainstream media uses to portray blks constantly r the ones who have the true slave mentality. These msgs r subliminal & r seldom a coincidence. Plz read & learn ur history!
moeblues
August 3, 2018 at 8:02 pm
DaTruth, your statement is 100% the TRUTH and on target in every respect! I have also seen many racialized comments in sports and political websites that invoke racist code words that include [animals, apes, gorillas, monkeys, and the n-word]. Many websites moniter foul language and racial epithets, but I noticed Yahoo’s websites appears to promote the use of racial invectives directed at Black folks. I have also noticed Yahoo’s political commentary is bias toward Republican and tea party types. What can we do to give President Obama and the Democrats a voice on rightwing propaganda outfits like Yahoo, Newsmax, and USATODAY?
Maalak
August 3, 2018 at 5:31 pm
A Response To The “MONKEY COMMERCIAL” shown immediately after a “Golden Gabby” moment………….No Accident!! …. This was deliberate! We must not respond with E-motion but with E-Money …. as in some form of boycott, or withholding of $$$$$”s that FORCES NBC To Fund Some Form of Olympic Type Training Program(s) For Inner City BLACK, Brown, Red, Yellow, White n Other Children. There are many, many, many more “GOLDEN GABBIES” out there!!! FB Family, help come up with an approach to this. We can organize an “OCCUPATION Protest” through the net. Whadda Uthink?………… N Let Us Flood Her FB With Love n Appreciation. http://twitter.com/gabrielledoug
Sheryl T. Spivey
August 3, 2018 at 5:33 pm
This is really stupid. The commerical was for a program starting this Fall and the monkey was mimicking a male on the gmnastic team.
We have enough problems as a race of people without you sitting around dreaming up problems.
Parvenu
August 3, 2018 at 5:37 pm
The reality of the situation is that the commercial was pre-programmed and would have run regardless of who won the Gold.
HOWEVER, the program director should have had the sensitivity to recognize that this was a unique historical moment in that Gabby was the FIRST African American woman to win Gold in the “all around” event, and the director should have personally stepped in and switched commercials. Obviously the NBC Program director lacked the necessary sensitivity required….
Brenda Martin
August 3, 2018 at 5:38 pm
There seem to be many insulting “coincidences” regarding African-Americans. The “timing and content” of this commercial reflected Cultural Ignorance and/or Cultural Insensitivity, at Best! But just in case it is believed that no one would dare to do such a thing in this generation, see what was done regarding the President of the United States http://www.thesaudavoice.com/the_sauda_voice/2011/04/stuck-on-stupid-alert-another-im-not-racist-i-have-black-friends-republican-distributes-racist-email.html (Bren of Ky)
Buzzy
August 3, 2018 at 5:39 pm
NBC had done an admirable job broadcasting the events of the 2018 Olympics. But it doesn’t take any imagination to recognize that was a racial slur toward Gabby! SHAME ON NBC and the powers that allowed that commercial to be broadcast! Someone mentioned earlier, that if there were more Black NBC people working in this area, that racially, tainted commercial would not have been aired.
Holy Moses!
August 3, 2018 at 5:44 pm
hidden colors!! wow!!
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 5:52 pm
@Ylg- #idiot. How can the ppl focus on her success when ignorant stuff like that happens? The point is, the wht ppl are mad bc a blk american female won and not a wht female. Next, they will do anything negative to remove the attention from the happiness by doing something silly.
That was wrong and it was just inappropriate. Congrats to Gabby on her accomplishment.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:08 pm
@AP- It wasn’t funny. Of course she would care, bc some ppl won’t sponsor you depending on your image etc. Learn the biz idiot. FYI, it was wht ppl complaining about her h@ir. You should have just watched and not even commented.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:08 pm
@GEE- Exactly.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:09 pm
@BigJay- They will bc they still envy blk americans and they can’t stand to see them succeed. Especially the real ones that don’t sell@ut.
BlacknProud
August 3, 2018 at 6:09 pm
There was also another monkey commercial that involves a Dr. with a monkey assistant, showing after her as well as the monkey gymnastics one. We know this is not a coincidence. The network commerical programming is not set in stone changes could have been made at anytime. Also they knew in advance that Gabby was a favorite and strong contender, they were just betting that she would choke but she didn’t. Also listening to the commentator state racial barriers have been broken and the only barrier is in the person’s mind of how one view themselves. Since there is no other opposing commenters he was allowed to put out that dillusional comment that only weak minded uninformed viewers actually believe to be true. The commenter, commercials, comments bout her hair, is racist. For you whites on here trying to justify these blatant forms of racist advertising you are pathetic, and for those Blacks who are tired of having to address it and trivialize it as being in one’s mind need to be put back on a plantation.
We can celebrate Gabby’s win while at the same time slamming the racist for thinking they would get away with it, and shutting down the apologist Blacks who always excuse their behavior.
Also if the barriers have been broken then it would not have been 16 years between Dawes and Gabby and we would see more than 1 Black in the middle of countless whites and others over and over.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:09 pm
@brenda joyce brown- It was done on purpose. Just think about when, where, and why.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:09 pm
@LAWAZIZ- Exactly, and the right blk person with the right outlet and boldness will have to tell the story.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:10 pm
@Onesilverbac- You’re trying to hide racism where it does exist. Let it go and get out of denial.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:10 pm
@Northpilot- Either you’re wht and in denial, or you’re just uneducated and can’t put things together.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:11 pm
@AMAZINGGRACE- That’s the truth. That network is canceled in my opinion. It’s a shame that blk ppl dnt do much boycotting anymore though. They (NBC) don’t believe that they have much competition or bc they have so many other networks run by wht ppl that it’s okay, which is why when blk ppl get money, it’s best that they invest in something more important. If you file a compliant or start a petition, I’ll sign. Somebody need to take action on em.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:12 pm
@The Angel- Dn’t say we, bc if you were blk you would have got offended. You must be a sell@ut with no morals or values. The truth is the truth. Your mstr was wrong. Things like what? Being in denial and afraid to speak up with the truth against wht racist ppl? Fear no man but God. Just in case you didn’t knw that, now you know. You clearly sound wht based on your response. If you’re tired of having that conversation, take action and have it with your wht ppl on a wider scale, but you won’t do that. You love being blk, but you hate being reminded of things from back then? That sentence alone makes it seem like you’re blaming the commercial ad on blk ppl. Just saying.
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:13 pm
@Parvenu- Yea right. Would they really have shown that if a wht girl had won? Yall act like that was the only ad to be chosen from. What part of Africa is she from?
Truth
August 3, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Wht ppl need to quit the bs, and blk ppl need to come together and take action. That’s the only way to make a change. Sit dwn and discuss it (if it’s worth it bc they will lie, talk around, and ignore questions etc) or segregate again. The whole situation is stupid. Blk ppl, do for yourself with your money and learn to once again boycott. They won’t knw how blk ppl feel until it happens to them. The commercial was messed up though. Gabby is young and she looks nice so it must have offended her. Another thing, then they began talking about her h@ir. What about those wht girl n@ses and shape? WTF. They better have their fun bc if I ever become wealthy, it’s on. Somebody has to guide our ppl out of the nonsense. Yall be real and stand up for what’s right.
DaTruth
August 3, 2018 at 6:21 pm
Considering this country’s racist past & present, I don’t see how any conscious blk person could think this monkey ad was a coincidence. I can understand whites thinking that everthing is fine & aboveboard w. the ad becuz they r n constant denial re racism, but blks having that same view is jes plain stupidity. Prez Obama & his family r constantly being portrayed as apes, monkeys, coons, etc. by even govt. officials. Wake up ppl this is so n ur face racist! What will it take them hanging us regulary fr trees again before we see the light?
fed3rd
August 3, 2018 at 6:25 pm
For demographics: I am Black, live in So. Central L.A.(2 blocks from start of last riot). It seems to me that the complainers think a monkey refferd to Gabby. Black people, not NBC. I did not think it referred to Gabby. Would theie be any complaints if a Lucky Charms commercial was shown after an Irish gymnast performed? Some folks will find anything to complain about. Wait, now that I think about it, were there ANY Black folks in the “White Water” kyack and canoeing events? Let’s protest! Oh I forgot, we can’t swim. (For those that don’t recognize sarcasm, that was it.)
Brian
August 4, 2018 at 1:19 am
You are obviously very young to not understand the racial under tow of that ad! Once again look at all the flak the POTUS is getting. Obama is daily being referred to as an animal.
Bobby g
August 5, 2018 at 9:13 am
Was there any mOnkeys canoeing or kayaking?
mina
August 3, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Parvenu has the perfect point. The lack of sensitivity in the media because there are so few people of color in decision making positions, makes what happened, occur all too often. It is a mistake to simply dismiss it because it was preprogrammed to air. The image of Black people and monkeys is historical and I would encourage those who say we are just making up racial connections, to READ so you will KNOW your history. Just as African Americans are victims of slavery, so are whites generationally. Sometimes both have an unconscious attachments to historical slavery brainwashing that can and do color our current actions and deeds. The monkey commercial was just TOO close to Gabby’s reality of caputring the “OLYMPIC GOLD”. It was just TOO close to be a conincidence and simply TOO CLOSE to not demand that NBC and other networks take a look at how they foster these images.
The commenters comment about the similarities with the Irish and the beer/alcohol commercials airing is a display of ignorance and insensitivity. The Irish, though discriminated agianst when whey came to this country, ended up assimilating into the culure and in some cases becoming the victimizer. African Americans were unable to assimulate (not that we should want to now) because of the discriminatory systemic laws put in place to prevent that from happening. We are talking about 600+ years of institutional racism and brainwashing. It allows these kinds of incidents to continue. Another example of the ‘APE” imagetry are the images sent around the country showing the President as a gorilla. There IS a relationship that is NOT accidential.
DaTruth
August 3, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Preach!
Elizabeth
August 3, 2018 at 6:42 pm
I AM SURE NBC EXECS WERE DELIGHTED TO TRY AND DISCREDIT THIS YOUNG WOMAN, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MELANIN FOR “SOME” NOT ALL. THANK GOD FOR ALL THE GOOD GUYS!
Arati
August 3, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Come on now – that was not an accident – it was pre-meditated.
White superority conciousness has a problem with Black excellence. History speaks to that. This is what happens when their are few media outlets- they test the waters.
They take liberties without fear of retribution.
Let us not forget. Black people, let us not forget… the psyche that created racism, salvery and suppression!
Jacqueline
August 3, 2018 at 6:57 pm
I had seen this commercial before Gabbie won but I wouldn’t put it pass the network that they aired it because they knew she was doing gymnastics. We have to understand that although Gabbie is getting praise from around the world there are still people out there who hated the fact the she was in the Olympics because she is black let alone get gold medals. And to show it right after she won? It makes you wonder. Sometimes people can’t see the unseen hand.
kial stovall
August 3, 2018 at 7:06 pm
NBC knew a “black young lady” would be competing in gymnastics BEFORE they approved the ad to be run during the Olympics… It was mostly definitely racist! We are a society who uses and can read symbols. This was not a network “mistake” but rather a symbolic expression of true thoughts. @ Northpilot, if a swimmer from Ireland were competing and NBC aired a commercial of a drunken leprechaun in a pool of beer, it would be just as demeaning and let YOU know what they think of you. @The Angel… you remind me of a crash dummy who can’t smell the stench and therefore believes shyt don’t stink, SMH at you.
Rastus Cockroach
August 3, 2018 at 7:34 pm
What the H***. That girl don’t look like a monkey. She be pretty. If you want someone who looks like a monkey, look at Michelle’s picture holding Barrak’s birthday cake. Now that is a chimp. Gabby is pretty. I be so proud of her.
Sandra
August 3, 2018 at 7:48 pm
That ad has been playing through the whole Olympics, the ads are for a new show, Animal Practice. Lets just celebrate and stop trying to find something wrong.
moeblues
August 3, 2018 at 9:09 pm
Cut the crap Sandra. The monkey commercial shouldn’t have been sponsored by an advertising company! The subtext of this odious commerical reeks with racial bigotry and degradation.
Where do you think the racial sterotype of the welfare queens and food stamp abusers come from? The imagery is created in TV-news stories that the welfare queens are Black women on the dole who don’t know jack about earning a living, but are experts at feeding at the public trough. I know the TV-news stories about welfare queens is propaganda, but a large percentage of Republican teabaggers believe Black folks don’t work and exist on government handouts.
The plain truth is: The majority of Americans on welfare and food stamp users are white folks. But one never preceive those facts by viewing TV-news shows because you will seldom see whites on the receiving end collecting handouts. The nexus in this post is about the power of TV imagery.
Blossom
August 5, 2018 at 10:04 am
Not E-motion, but E-Money……A-Gree!!!
And absolutely right about the black welfare recipient stereotype being created and perpetuated by media.
Every single danged welfare story always features a black person whether the story is in print or video.
People, their time has come and they know it. It may be a fight for us, but believe me, they are terrified, and they knew this day would come when we stand up.
Please realize we don’t need to argue or attack them. Simply being our strong, intelligent, thinking and planning selves is WAY more than enough.
No need for negativity and name-calling to them—- just love and support ourselves!! That ‘s why the try so hard to give us low self-esteem, because we are dangerous when we love ourselves!! Just look at what our Gabby has done!!
Sandra Shabazz
August 3, 2018 at 7:49 pm
NBC,who the hell do you think that you are fooling??????????
come on,the public is much smarter than you give us credit for…
We know, before any ad or commercial go on the air,there are at least a half dozen people that would have to review and approve the ad/commerical. There is no way this was a coincidence. NBC,you should be ashamed of yourselves.I will not watch anything that your network airs from this moment on, “NEVER” Your ratings are already low,I hope that everyone feels the same way that I do,if so, maybe we can push your network out of the door,for good. A Black American Mother who is very proud of Miss Douglas (Gabby)
Renee
August 3, 2018 at 7:49 pm
I’m glad most black people are not falling for the bullshit excuse given by NBC. I knew Gabby won the Gold Medal by yesterday afternoon on the sports channel BEFORE the all around women’s finals aired. You can’t tell me these execs were ignorant of the fact that she won prior to airing gymnastics finale. You can’t tell me that someone within that fucking room didn’t purposefully decide to place that ad after her win. They knew what they were doing by airing the distasteful monkey commerical. They knew. You have to remember they see all footage prior to us viewing it. They’ve seen Bob Costas footage and knew to air something so disrespectful after he was done. Whites have a natural inability of not viewing black people as human beings because quite frankly they are probably not fully human themselves. This is white people we are talking about and I am tired of trying to give them a benefit of a doubt. There’s no use because they do the same hateful shit over and over and over again. Only a white person will dismiss this type of disrespect as nonsense because it isn’t offensive to them and they don’t have a history of their race being label as monkeys and gorillas. Racism is a disease that only exist within them. They can’t stomach black excellance and that is why they do shit like this. It is in their nature and the history of white racism and violence against blacks is evidence of such hate.
Blossom
August 5, 2018 at 10:06 am
Love your comment, Renee!! Well said!!!
Their time has come to fall!!! And they know it!!
Shannon
August 3, 2018 at 8:00 pm
NBC IT IS 2018 AND GUESS WHAT YOU ALL SUCK Even at the Hands of the one or so persons that decided to air that shyt…
Ms Linda
August 3, 2018 at 9:31 pm
It was so nice to to see NBCS mother waving the flag of joy after Gabi won, for I do not believe the network would have been this racist, directing it to a 16 yr old. There was no mistake, for the programming is delayed.
The ratings are down and I wonder why? One think I can give channel 11 credit for is their respect of others even though its GOP.
SO sorry for the manger,owner. An apology is due to this young lady acknowledging the mistake.
Onely thing good about this is the monkey can reprecent whites and then blacks, so welcome to the minority. anal fools
Peaze
August 3, 2018 at 10:02 pm
The Moors should have never went to Europe to educate the European beast. Because even if you educate a beast, you still get a Beast thats educated or a Monster.Who cant get along with anybody on the planet.
All the white people keep saying just forget about it, because they dont have the ability to empathize, with a race other than themselves. If Gabby wasnt on the USA team NBC wouldnt even had a monkey commercial. A crew of white folks at NBC did this racist stunt on purpose, I hope they got a good laugh.
Edward
August 3, 2018 at 10:10 pm
Fore God sake dont be a boy scout, There was a settled message in that add, if you didn’t not get it then you have a problem. You all seem so stupid to me to believe that whit Americans have any respect for black people period. Because they allow you to carry and American passport means that they accept you as exual?. Get it through your head they do not see us as equal. Stop being simpletons, they are selling and maintaining the same system that had or have you as slaves. It is the same system, nothing changes. You are what they say you are, and as long as you continue to accept their charity and be glad for it they will continue to maintain that oppresive system and keep your dumb asses under their feet thumb, and your heads up their asses kissing it instead of kicking it.You are what you accept, I have not watched any of the olympic, because it is a world game, and if I can only watch the American athletes, then I do not wish to see it. I want to see the world compete, not just Americans. Maybe we should just put on our own olympic, so we do not have compete with the rest of the world we will just see ourselves. That would make it very interesting who would we accuse of doming when there is nobody else but us?.No chineese, no Russians, no body that is less that us, how boring that would be.
WizardG
August 3, 2018 at 10:17 pm
@Dsaint
We African Americans, “blacks” are constantly being conspired against, and discriminated against, and being shot in the streets by police, and we witness our social leaders demeaned and denigrated every day right along with us!
We are being disrespected at every turn, and denied jobs in order to hire “whites” and ‘others’, and secretly experimented on, and corralled into poverty and the prison, and constantly conned and lied to, and cheated of home mortgages, and socially neglected, and made scapegoats and as always the ongoing joke of the nation! Our Anglo-elite “white dominant benefactors have created such a picture that very few other nationalities have any respect for us. Including some of us!
You say to let it go? Where exactly do you think we are? What kind of people do you think the descendents of the past slave-owners are, and what do you suppose they are thinking and doing about ‘their’ “negro-problem”?
Instead of falling for every con the ‘Anglo-elite’ toss at us, we should be trying to create a way to unify our “community” and enlighten everyone (properly) without using the superstitious religion psychosis! Let it go indeed!!!
oren elow
August 3, 2018 at 10:36 pm
We Black folks are forever looking for something to whine about. For I don’t believe that NBC meant to make the showing of an Olympic gymnastic monkey at the very time Gabby won the gold, a racist statement. So please stop looking for dung to whine about. You bring more shame to Gabby writing this garbage, when you should be blessing her with praises. Stop whining all the time! All of you should let the young lady enjoy her God given gifts and stop putting bad thoughts in her innocent young mind. If you have a beaf with NBC wait tell the Olympic is over with.
DaTruth
August 6, 2018 at 3:21 am
U bring shame to urself w. ur comments which show ur total lack of & knowledge of history. Portraying blks as apes, gorillas, reprobates, etc. has always been a media mainstay n this racist white supremacist culture. The use of harmful media images r a compelling subliminal means with which to convince others that the blk race is subhuman, criminal, marginal, etc. Hitler used this same kind of negative imagery n Nazi Germany against the Jews to great affect. Do u remember The Holocaust? Blks who r dismissive of these images r usually those who r either too backward or too brainwashed or both to comprehend it! We all “praise” Gabby’s efforts to the utmost, but we must also be cognizant & never ignorant to the INTENTIONAL damaging ways in which blks r characterized nonstop n media daily. WAKE UP!
Marvin Blades
August 3, 2018 at 11:11 pm
This is a non-issue. I’ve seen this same monkey in other promotions during the airing of this Olympics. This is simply a coincidence, nothing more. There are so many other issues deserving of our attention….My friends; this is not one of them!
Chyna Jackson
August 4, 2018 at 12:37 am
What is very disturbing here is that everyone is arguing about a well known fact that has been n place for decades. The white media has and always will demean the Afro-American race. It is now even more prevalent that before the white media dehumanize us, we are the first to begin to knock each other down, like crabs in a barrel. In order to not be offended with what the white media broadcasts, my advice is to turn off the television and open a book. Stop patronizing the oppressors by turning on that television station and complaining about the injustices our race has to endure with the white media. Furthermore, STOP internalizing every “supposed” derogatory remark. We are not monkeys, and we are not the only race that consumes fried chicken and watermelon. Every time you take ownership of these remarks, you are allowing them to own you. Congrats Gabby on your well deserved win. You have made a great accomplishment in your young life, and you have made your parents very proud! Do not let this win define who you are because you are not just an Olympian..
Derrick
August 4, 2018 at 4:47 am
These yankees are jealous, crazy, racist and stupid because a caucasoid gal didn’t win. They focused more on the white gal than Queen Goddess Gabby!
Her hair looks GREAT and so does she!!! These bastards are jealous of this little great queen.
SHE WILL BE A SUCCESS IN LIFE
Ishmar Muhammad
August 4, 2018 at 6:06 am
I am Glad these Crackers Ran this Ad to show what is Really in their Contrary World,Like the Bible said about us so-called Negroes Women Rule them & Children are our Masters! Women run alotta Brothers I know because these fools got oatmeal in their Heads! If they had real knowledge wisdom & understandind a Woman would give herself to you no matter what you look like,These Demons have got us Self Destructing on Remote Control Eating the wrong food,eating the wrong Spiritual food (Negative People around you),Dope & Drugs Guest who Brought it in! Liquor stores on every corner,ignorance everywhere in all the People Black & Brown Yellow and Red,The Children refers to the Caucasian People who are the Newest people on this earth,this is why these Crackers do extreme stuff on this Earth it’s all new to them.The Blackman is the Original Man & the Mothers & Fathers of all Humanity! Stop talking about Africa because that’s the name Whitey gave the Contenant,The Blackman is from Asia how do you explain away Aboriginal Culture which is the Earth’s Oldest living Culture!Think on this Blackman! The Entire planet was called Asia when the Earth was one Giant Land Mass,if you look at it now it fits together like a Puzzle! All the water was on the part called the Moon which was Joined together with the Earth.Stop walking around with your Head Down! The Blackman is God(Allah)! We can do Anything put your mind to Work & cut out the Verbal Ham BS!
Janey
August 4, 2018 at 7:49 am
The people claiming this ad was programmed to run no matter who won the gold, and that NBC had “no idea” that Gabby Douglas would take the top spot — seriously?
You understand that there’s a time difference, right? And that we know who won hours in advance before we air that footage? So when that commercial aired, if indeed it was on a schedule, NBC already knew exactly who had won.
I wouldn’t put it past NBC to make a snide comment this way, not after all their attempts to make Gabby appear unstable as opposed to her “professional” teammates. She’s an amazing and capable athlete who has gotten biased coverage throughout. This isn’t a silly issue detracting from the main issues; this is merely the top of the heap of disparaging remarks and ignorant assessments perpetuated throughout NBC’s gymnastics commentary.
Frank TALKER
August 4, 2018 at 7:59 am
NBC are clearly Institutionally-Racist since they could have used many animals to suggest athletic grace, rather than a monkey – which they know is a racially-charged symbol.
patrice
August 4, 2018 at 7:59 am
racism will always be alive and well.You can be rich or poor,nbc,abc, fox news stilll racism.They thrive on it.This is the only way to feel good about your self and make monies.Just llike slavery
Sheila
August 4, 2018 at 9:32 am
This is why I NEVER watch NBC, I have ALWAYS thought that they were prejudice. I don’t watch any of their channels, they love racism.
AP
August 4, 2018 at 10:30 am
@Truth excuse me IT WAS BLACKS laughing at her hair! For the record I am in the BIZ YOU IDIOT. What is FUNNY(I’m sorry I was speaking for myself not YOU) and as I stated it was PREPROGRAMMING IDIOT…as I stated SHE STILL has 90 MILLION DOLLARS of ENDORSEMENTS on the table IDIOT while YOU IDIOT are concerned over a COMMERCIAL. YOU need to elevate your mind and STOP being deterred of frivlous BS I mean CAN YOU SLEEP at night or are you dreaming about monkeys? I am sure Gab is dreaming about successes and her future. I am as PRO BLACK as I can be but BEING PRO BLACK you learn to GUIDE your mind to defeating ignorance and prevailing over BS. Why show your weaknesses so people can play on them. Hence we are back here again being upset over a monkey commercial THAT IS STILL PLAYING and was PLAYING PRIOR TOO the win!
I guess you are still feeling defeating. WELP NOT ME! I can sleep at night and I work with racism every day and ignorance from BLACK people who walk around with their noses in the air and barely have a pot to piss. So while you are trying to comment on EVERYONE’s comment with your supposed faux TRUTH FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF and sleep well. BIGGER FISH TO FRY! And as for Endorsements I was talking about RULE 40 I think the protest is STUPID so will YOU PLEASE read before commenting! Peace!
Nothing But The Truth!
August 4, 2018 at 10:59 am
Dr. Watkins,
Like you and the rest of America and the world too, for sure, I was overwhelmed with excitement about the achievements of the great Gabby Douglas. Her achievement at the Olympics is a performance for the ages! I shall not detract from her feat by even mentioning the subject some small minded people will attempt to use to diminish her championship performance!
“As the first Black Woman to secure the all-around Gold Medal in Olympic Gymnastics, she has inspired people around the world for generations to come.” This is all that needed to be said!
Great to see you writing another article of substance again! Welcome back, Dr. Watkins! This is where we-the African-American community-need you!
sj
August 4, 2018 at 11:08 am
What a great accomplishment for Gabby! She is an inspiration to all young women no matter what color! Am I being prejudice if I feel Bob Costas shouldn’t have put the big african american spin on his commentary…Gabby is an american regardless of skin color. The monkey commercial was an ill timed comercial and I wondered if there would be back lash. Also what the heck is this country coming to if people would rather talk about how her hair looked as opposed to her awesome performance. I don’t care if it was mostly african american women tweeting these comments! Everyone had the same hair-do! Why is it that we seem to thrive on adversity as opposed to celebrating the accomplishments of people in this country?
absolutelyals
August 4, 2018 at 11:09 am
NBC just ought to apologize to GABBY and her family.
This is downright mean spirited, racist and it is in my opinion
an abominaiton. And to try to discredit it for what it is. . . When will these ignorant, demeaning, low life people get over it! To hurt a child like that!
You sick minded people need to repent and get a life. NBC. . .I’m talking to you!
marva Lightbourne
August 4, 2018 at 11:49 am
didn’t see the commerial, but then, I don’t have too..such a sublimimial statement (.. a monkey doing gymnastics ) after this wonderful / sensational GABBY DOUGLAS won the medal is NOT by accident . it’s intentions is meant to be ” racial” in tone..NBC I am not surpise @ you either, you need some type of controversy to par with FOX NEWS !!! in the rating business ??..slimy way to go though NBC…much love to GABBY DOUGLAS & G-d bless you forever …
Olivette Franklin
August 4, 2018 at 12:35 pm
We the original people experience racism everyday somewhere on this planet earth. It is time for a change how and what we react to. We have been using the same reaction and expecting a different result. that is outsanity.
Definition of OUT a (1) : in a direction away from the inside or center
san·i·ty noun \ˈsa-nə-tē\
Definition of SANITY: the quality or state of being sane; especially : soundness or health of mind.
Insanityin·san·i·ty noun \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\
1
: a deranged state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia)
2
: such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or civil responsibility
Definition of IN: a —used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits
—used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality
3
a —used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance
b : into 2a
4
—used as a function word to indicate purpose
5
—used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio
The definition of the word IN and SANITY does not add up to the definition that they give for the word insanity. Take a good look at the definitions that I took from the Merriam Webster dictionary of the words OUT, IN and SANITY now who created those words and their meaning, do you see what kind of mind we are dealing with.
It is wrong of us to expect people to be other than themselves. we cannot control others and how they think, how they choose to see us, how they choose to treat us or talk about us. We can surely control ourselves and how we choose to see, think, analyze and
treat others and ourselves. The Caucasoid race that is who and
what they are, they cannot be other than that. I have made a conscious decision to elimienate the talking of Caucasoid and what they are doing. We cannot blame the Caucasoid for our situation today. Yes our Ancestors were kidnap and enslave in a strange land
and Their children are still doing what their ancestors did back then in a different way. They are not going to change for that is not their nature. It is us the negroid race that have to change our thinking about ourselves and who we are. When I see a monkey I do not see an African or negroid. A monkey have black fur or brown fur but if you have to shave its fur you will see a complexion like a Caucasoid not negroid. Let them be who they are and let us be who we are. Let us work on ourselves, let us examine how we truly see our people, how we think and treat each other.
We have control how we react to what others say about us, and do to us not what they do or say. Let us not feed their forces, they do these things to get us angry which is what they need to feed on anger, hate, jealousy, envy, greed, etc. Let those who are just among-st them( if there is any) deal with them and try to teach them love, compassion, civility, fairness and etc. that is not our job. see them and not see them, know them and not know them, be civil to them, do not hate them, that is counter productive and not beneficial to us. Hate consume the vessel that contains it. Love is the strongest force in the universe that evil cannot destroy. evil can only destroy things that is physical, which is temporary and on this realm illusion is the order of the day. hotep(peace) Ashug(love)
tawanda
August 4, 2018 at 12:44 pm
it is so easy for white folk (and a few naive black folk,too) to believe that it is a mere coincidence that they put up a monkey after showing Gabby. these are the same people who believe it was a but a mere accident that Zimmerman killed a 17yr old black kid. these are the same people that say “Why are you people turning this into a race issue? Zimmerman was using self defence”. there is no bloody way in hell that the monkey commerical airing after Gabby was a COINCIDENCE. but i am not shocked. the evil shananigans of racist white people puts us in a rage, but i have learned that that which angers you conquers you. so while it is okay to get angry, we must be able to direct that anger into an articulate outlet of highlighting racism and injustice in America. which is what Boyce does so eloquently.
Tina Marie Clark
August 4, 2018 at 12:54 pm
SHAME SHAME SHAME ON NBC!!! RACIST BASTARDS GO STAND IN A CONER AND THROW SHIT AT YOURSELF!!! GABBY SAVED YOUR SORRY ASS STATION SO KISS HER PRETTY BLACK ASS!!!
Olivette Franklin
August 4, 2018 at 1:04 pm
I would like to thank my spiritual guide Dr. Malachi Z York for the continued awakening of my mind. I would also like to thank the many teachers along the path from the turning on the light which started in a dim state to it continued brightenessl: The late Rosie Douglass, Dr. BEN, Dr. Clarke, Gary Bryd and the GBE experience WLIB radio back in the day, My Black History Teacher Mr. RAdix Thanks to you All. The Anscestors and nature are pleased and Thank you all. Hotep wu Ashuq liyya Kull (eace and love to all)
Dr. Luv
August 4, 2018 at 1:38 pm
We may never really know if that commercial had a RACIST intent. Some can only assume based upon the PAST racist imagery of black people being associated with monkeys and inner suspicion of jealously. Yet, assumptions and perceptions are relative. They reflect more the mindset of the individual. True Champions have no time to give their attention to HATERS or those who may be jealous and hold covert ill intent. If they did, it would affect and negate their ability to become Champions themself. In order to be glorious, one must think glorious and act in such a manner. May all African Americans take the lead of Gabby and act likewise. Even if that commericial carried a racist intent, it speaks more toward the individuals who created it. They were too cowardly to be more blatant in saying what they intended, and cowards can never be champions. They are actually lower than monkeys, who are ultimately innocent creatures created by God. Ultimately, I could care less if the media uses any animal to represent my likeness or the likeness of my culture because I love animals and am too intelligent and strong to care what goes on in the mind of individuals who maybe skewed or warped in their thinking. GET OVER IT PEOPLE, ACT LIKE THE KINGS AND QUEENS That you are.
Dave
August 4, 2018 at 1:47 pm
From one white guy to the others posting on there: Shut up about Dr Watkins. He made no accusations; he merely brought up conversation.
If you truly think you are open minded then consider this possibility: that you enable racism through ignorance, even if not through your will.
I have 2 white girls who are thrilled and inspired by Gabby. Where Costas said “…tonight there are a lot of African-American girls who want to try that..” should have offended us all. He should have just said “…tonight there are a lot of girls who want to try that..”
If this didn’t offend, perhaps it is because ignorance prevents you from seeing things like this.
ANSAAR SHABAZZ
August 4, 2018 at 4:29 pm
The Branding of Gabby Douglas
However, never without a price tag:
Don’t point fingers at the monkey its not the monkey, culpability fit’s the monkeys uncle like a well cut Italian silk suit, and in this case its the National Broadcasting Company and Madison Ave Marketing Firms . There modus operandi is throw a monkey wrench, hide there hand and then take recognition of baby girls good works. Offer up endorsements for cereal.
You will not eradicate racism without getting rid of the racist.
Jumping gee willickers
August 4, 2018 at 10:12 pm
What’s the issue here? Blacks look like monkeys and what’s the big deal? They are very intelligent and cute to boot! Get over it… If you don’t like it here in the USA there are 227 other Countries to move to
LC
August 4, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Really now? Not everyone is a racist and not everything is racism. The commercial aired frequently and was played during gymnastics because it was created specifically to air during the Olympics.
NBC also aired a commercial for this new tv show featuring a a dog swimming and a penguin diving, I suppose those are racist too? The fact that people take something so innocent and turn it on themselves to create drama and trouble is pathetic. A monkey swings in the trees hence the connection with gymnastics. Penguins dive into the water hence the connection with diving. Dogs like to play in the water hence the connection with swimming. And I saw them play during those events.
Eventually black people are going to have to stop playing the victim and grow their own self-confidence and race-appreciation. It takes all sides to eliminate an issue. Are you offended by an animal in a pet hospital comedy or because you view yourself like an ape? That is on you. You identify with whom and whatever you choose.
It’s interesting how many black people were condemning Gabby for her hair and as soon as she won AA Gold crying foul over her coverage before, during, and after. Gabby has only gotten national praise for her performances, attitude, and conduct. In fact, the only times I have seen any prejudice towards Gabby are by “her own people”. You all care nothing about her until she actually won.
She is special in her own right, without race and with. It is important for coverage to acknowledge she is the first African-American to be crowned AA Champion because SHE IS. It would be similar if she was our FIRST AA Champion. She has expressed herself how excited and proud she is to be the first black woman to win. It’s just as important to represent her purely as an American.
We can sit her all day and criticize anchors and reporters but they have to play politics like no other. They aren’t all perfect, fair, or unbiased, but again NOT EVERYONE IS OUT TO GET YOU.
People, do better.
P Rollins
August 4, 2018 at 11:03 pm
First the commentator then the commercial. I will leave everyone with this… One too many coincidences are not coincidences.
Derrick
August 5, 2018 at 1:55 am
I see this site deletes the Truth like the rest of these caucasoid sites!
I repeat: this shyt was purposefully done! How come the goddamn monkey ain’t shown NOW? Crackers claim that, they evolved from apes and monkeys…therefore, THEY’RE THE GODDAMN PRIMATES!
YOU CAN ERASE THIS TRUTH ‘YOURWHITEWORLD’
GODDAMN! Everybody scared of the Truth!!!
cornell
August 5, 2018 at 8:17 pm
How would they like if black people stop competing in the olympics
Edith
August 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Isn;t NBC owned by Fox?
me112233
August 14, 2018 at 9:48 am
No. Fox is owned by Rupert Murdock, the same guy that owns that newspaper in England that was hacking people’s cell phone voice-mail systems. Murdock supported George Bush in 2000 and Hilary Clinton in 2008 (he did not openly support Obama or McCain in the general election). NBC is owned by General Electric, a big conglomerate who’s CEO, Jeffrey Imelt, a big-time supported of Obama and the head of Obama’s “Jobs Council” (the same GE that sent thousands upon thousands of jobs to China while Imelt was heading Obama’s Jobs Council). GE also made $14 billion dollars in 2010, but didn’t pay a single penny in US income taxes; when the media confronted Obama about it, he defended his choice of Imelt for the Jobs Council.
I added the extra info so that readers might realize that not all “rich white” CEO’s are Republicans, and in many cases, big corporations are doing the bidding of the democrat party, all the while they are sending jobs to China and getting huge tax breaks that Obama and the democrat controlled congress did nothing to change.
Keonda
August 6, 2018 at 4:20 pm
*sighs* I dont want to say that NBC did this purposely to spite Gabby “The Flying Squirrel” Douglass, I do believe it was a coincidence that the add was shown right after Gabby won. However, comma, Even though the add was ran before Gabby won, it was a bit insensitive on their part for them to even run the ad in the first place, knowing that the monkey has been used time and time again for racial indecencies against African-Americans in the past. Esp. since there was an American black male gymnast, and of course Gabby, and other black gymnasts in the competition this year. And if they didnt think they were being offensive in the first place, why did they pull the ad? It hasnt been shown since this whole controversy started. No apology came from NBC either. An apology doesnt have to be an omission of guilt, it could also be used as a way to apologize for any ill will caused by it. This was a BAD PR move for NBC to say the least. Is NBC guilty of racism? I cant say completely yes. Is NBC guilty of being overtly INSENSITIVE to a race and their plight with a certain animal? Yes…absolutely. SN: Also, Can we stop calling her a squirrel? No other athlete has an animal attached to her name…why does she have to?
george
August 11, 2018 at 9:03 am
I question the Motives of this article , I fail to see any Malice, and we are calling Wolf when there are none, , This is not a Battle To Fight,, it is all in the Authors Check Book, Dont be Hood winked,
COACH トートバッグ
July 8, 2020 at 1:17 am
watch was way too simple previously, however now it’s virtually impossible