Tilghman’s suspension ends in time for the Buick Invitational on Jan. 24, when Tiger will make his 2008 debut.
Golf Channel suspended golf’s first female anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should “lynch him in a back alley.” Although Woods and Tilghman have known each other 12 years and his agent at IMG said he didn’t think there was any ill intent, Al Sharpton demanded she be fired immediately.
According to a statement released by Golf Channel:
“There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this.
While we believe that Kelly’s choice of words was inadvertent and that she did not intend them in an offensive manner, the words were hurtful and grossly inappropriate. Consequently, we have decided to suspend Kelly for two weeks, effective immediately.”
[ Source ]
Before her suspension was announced on Wednesday, Sharpton spoke earlier on CNN’s “Prime News” and continued to push for her firing, saying he wanted to meet with Golf Channel because the comments were “an insult to all blacks.”
“Lynching is not murder in general, it’s not assault in general,” Sharpton said. “It’s a specific racial term that this [woman] should be held accountable for. What she said is racist. Whether she’s a racist … is immaterial. She’s a broadcaster. The channel has to be accountable to the public.”
Tilghman was helped when Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent at IMG, said it was a non-issue and considered the matter “case closed.”
“Tiger and Kelly are friends, and Tiger has a great deal of respect for Kelly,” Steinberg said. “Regardless of the choice of words used, we know unequivocally that there was no ill-intent in her comments.”
Tilghman had said in a previous statement she apologized directly to Woods, and the immediate support from Woods’ camp was critical.
Stop the Hate in ’08
Comedian Ricky Smiley is not laughing. In fact, after learning about a black couple living in a North Arlington, Texas neighborhood who were being victimized by an elderly white neighbor last week, he was outraged.
He and a group of pastors organized a march and town hall meeting of over 300 people last Thursday at Winbush Elementary School to make a stand against racism.
According to Smiley, this is a much larger problem then in just Arlington, Texas. These types of isolated incidents are happening more frequently across the country and racism and racial injustice in the United States most come to an end once and for all.
On December 19, the neighbor, Grace Head, verbally attacked Broderick Gamble and his fiancée, Silk Littlejohn, with racial slurs. Two days later, the couple found the words “Kill” and “Die Nigger” spray-painted on the garage of the new home they’re building. Two days after that, Ms. Head attacked Ms. Littlejohn with a two-by-four and was charged with assault, criminal trespass and failure to identify herself to a police officer. After she was released, she was arrested again three days later on a felony criminal mischief charge for jumping and sitting on the couple’s vehicle.
This couple, and everyone else, has the right and the freedom to move into any neighborhood of their choice. Why is this still happening?!
You can spit in Tiger Woods face, and he’ll still forgive you……
He’s just soft.
This is soo sad. Racism still does and will always exist.
AL SHARPTON, SIT DOWN!!!!! GOSH!!!
Shame about that old couple still living like it’s the 1950′s. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. This has got to stop.
Tiger — good to see that you are still black. so what you are part asian. so what you married a yellow hair white woman. YOU ARE STILL BLACK!!! Every person on this earth will remind you of that every chance they get so there is no way to mask this fact. Funny how some men will try to overlook the obvious and then they are reminded in the most horrible way.
Texas — klan country.
White people always got something slick to say & then laugh it off like it’s a joke…Bastards
That is good that he forgives her.. She probably didnt mean it that way and sometimes the media can take things out of content.. No matter what racism still exsit in front of the camera or in the home. I think she didnt mean to say it that way seeing that they have know each other for 12 years
al sharpton is such a media whore…gimme a break….
If Tiger woods said he’s okay and over it .let it be..
although she did try it with that comment. i saw it yesterday and gagged…lol…
I wonder what would happen if Smiley suggested the Littlejohns just lynch the elderly one in a back alley.
Tiger Woods will let them say anything remember he say he is not even black.
I’m sorry but Tiger Woods is ok with it because he does not consider himself a black man.He claimed he’s years ago in Ebony mag that he’s more thai than black.Like someone said if he’s okay with it let it go,cause i got a hunch he wants this to go away as quickly as possible.
tiger is an idiot. there was obviously intent, or she would not have said it. i read an earlier article on yahoo that said the lady made the comment on sat and was back on the tv on sun like nothing happened. apparently the golf channel doesn’t take racisim seriously…
She was saying it in a joking matter… complimenting him for being such a good golf player… Im sure in the back of her head she wasnt like ooh let me think of something that happend 50 years ago to SOME black families and make a joke out of it… IM going to be honest for a second… The only thing that gives something like that power is black people responding to comments like that..acting all (fire her OMG i cant believe it).. that fuels things and gives it more power… You ever hear of stories of Asian or white people even making big deals about comments ever.. and just because they dont doesnt mean that comments arent being said. We all need to stop giving things like this attention…
Is this 2008 or 1958??? I can’t tell!
Tiger woods and his camp must not understand that once this woman stated on air that lynching should be done it was no longer just about him. This IS an insult to all black people. This country is at a very sensitive point right now when it comes to racial injustice, racial violence, and racism in general. That statement effects all of us and she should be held accountable for what she said whether or not they are friends or if she was joking is irrelevant because lynching is not a joking matter AT ALL, EVER. For Tiger to act like this is nothing just proves that he could care less about his people. I understand that he is mixed but it seems as though if he could help it, he wouldn’t be black at all.
#5 I live in Texas and it is not “Klan Country” as you stated. I am black and there is racism, but it is like that in every state across the country. Racism is everywhere and not just isolated to certain states or cities. with that said, the couple should be arrested and jailed for their actions, and on top of that made to pay resitution to the couple. they only way some people will learn is if you hit them in the pocketbook.as far as Tiger Woods, I think he did the right thing by not making this into a bigger issue. what was he supposed to do, attack her? Tiger Woods probably realizes more than people believe that he is black. he is playing a sport that is known as a “white man’s sport” and I am sure he faced pleny of racism just stepping on the golf course everyday before he became a champion. he acknowledges both sides of his heritage which there is nothing wrong with. he might look black, but he is part Asian. Tiger Woods is a passive man, not weak. sometimes people have to take the higher road and not feed into the media hype.
Al needs to shut his fat tail up- it’s so obvious he and his ilk care nothing about real issues plaguing the Black community.
Tiger clearly doesn’t care about the comments that woman made b/c in his mind, Tiger isn’t black.
Al Shaprton needs to shut the hell up. Why everytime something happens to the black community, that is negative, he has to open his mouth. I think the black community that was affected should be the ones speaking. In this case, this is Tiger Woods’ business, not his. If Tiger forgives her, let it be. Al always has to blow things up worse than they are. I have a feeling that she didn’t mean it the way it came out. People say things before they think and sometimes it comes out worse than what they meant it to be. I am not saying it’s ok to say hurtful things. I am saying that this is between Tiger and her and that should be it!
THÅNKS J FÖR USIÑ MY QUÖTÉ, LÖL, ITS ÖÑ IÑ DÅ 08, GÉT IÑ ÖR GÉT LYÑCHÉD, LÖL, THÅT WÖMÅN GOT A LIL 2 CÖMFÖRTÅBLÉ!
She deserved to be suspended. With no discipline, there would be no change. True she was joking, but there are plenty of ignorant people out here who would take the joke seriously and may think of acting on it. Watch the news. Anytime a person can kill and cook his girlfriend (someone close to him) a stranger can think to lynch a black person in their own back alley. IT’S SERIOUS OUT HERE IN THESE STREETS!!!!
Stop the excuses for letting the lady’s action be dismissed. If we didn’t have Al Sharpton and the black leaders before him, the black community would be sh**ed on with far less opportunities if any. Most of us are too scared to step out and speak up. I’m a person who will step out and speak up to anyone, especially in unfair situations, but when majority are afraid, I’m a minority count and therefore disregarded for better outcomes. PEOPLE STOP BEING AFRAID, FACE REALITY, AND BREAK AWAY FROM FEAR. FIGHT RACISM!!!! IT”S DEGRADING AND EMBARASSING!!! This situation only proves that eventhough the woman have known Tiger for 12 years, she doesn’t respect him entirely. That’s a joke that she should have kept away from the public and furthermore to herself. She showed her true color and character.
sooooo…i say black celebrities and sports commentators start callin white folks honkies and crackers (since those names are just as bad as being called a “nigger” {sarcasm}) and let’s see how they like it.
Why do people always complain about Al sharopton? I can say this, when there are injustices done to black people he is front and center! Where are you guys? on your computers complaining. I would like to know what is your contribution to the fight? Pathetic Negros!
I think this is a case of inappropriate language. I don’t believe that she intended to be malacious but I do believe that people have to watch what they say, especially in this very politically correct society. Lynch is a word that no black person wants to see in a sentence next to a black person but since Tiger Woods is Cablanasian or whatever the hell he says he is, there should be no problem. He isn’t even offended by it.
Should she be fired? No, I don’t think so. I think the suspension will suffice.
How could what she said not be of “ill-intent”, espeically in light of all the racial controversery that has been going on lately. You would think one would be extra careful with their words at a time like this. She should be disciplined on that alone, just for being stupid.
I tell you what though, with Obama running, things are going to get alot worse than what we are seeing now. True colors are REALLY about to start showing. Madness…
Right is right and wrong is wrong no matter where it comes from and this is wrong. Black people need to get off the high horse and learn how to stand together cause this is offensive to all of us. This aint no joking matter. If my friend is jewish does it make it right for me to say don’t let me have to call Hitler on you? No. I bet the black people that shrug this off voted for Bush. Not saying we shouldn’t forgive and move on but we should stand up and say we’re offended and feel disrespected. This is a reminder that although we’ve come a long way, we still got work to do.
#6: Now you sound like a racist. Racist isn’t good if your any nationality. It doesn’t just happen to black people. It happens to spanish, indian, white, black, asian…. There are so many nationalities that have racism problems.
The only thing killing black people– is black people.
Ignorance, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, Aids, the breakup of the Black family, more ignorance, “Black on Black” violence, incarceration, the welfare system….and the list goes on.
Why can’t Al, Jesse and all their cohorts go work on fixing those issues before yappin’ about another foolish whitey’s words? This is getting very lame.
WHY HASN’T ANYONE PUBLICIZED CLINTON PORTIS AND WIFE-TO-BE SHAWN HAVE WELCOMED HIS FIRST BORN (A BABY BOY) INTO THE WORLD. HE IS A HIGHLY PAID BLACK ATHLETE DOING POSITIVE THINGS…
I don’t understand why Tiger and his camp would say that it was OK. what could this lady be talking about in GOLF that “Lynch him in a back alley” is OK? I play a little golf and I have never encountered that term.
and if that is Tigers friend, why would she want the new comers to LYNCH him, in whatever term she meant it. I wouldn’t wish for my friend to be beat in any sport that they were good at!?!?! Am I the only person that sees something intrinsically wrong with this?
Just because she said sorry that doesn’t mean she is a racist, Kramer said sorry, they all say sorry…but that doesn’t hide the fact that racism is in their soul! you don’t mistakenly use those choice of words, unless somewhere deep in side your being, YOU TRULY BELIVE THEM!!
Fuck, Al Sharpton! The nigga only shows up when there’s publicity to be had. He hasn’t gotten behind a real issue in years. Also, I’m tired of black folks rallying behind niggas that don’t wanna claim us. If Tiger wants to claim everything but black, fuck that nigga. Let him defend himself.
I’m a hot head at times (praying and working on that flaw) and its good that the black couple in Texas didn’t retaliate (maybe they did) and called th epolice, but I would have had to put that woman in her place–elderly or not.
“Two days after that, Ms. Head attacked Ms. Littlejohn with a two-by-four and was charged with assault, criminal trespass and failure to identify herself to a police officer.”
Oh, she would have got hurt QUICK!
OMG!!! We may as fire all the white ppl in America…as racist as this country is if we suspend/fire ppl on that basis none of us would be employed. Choose your fights Sharpton…this one ?????????? not so necessary!
Racism/Slavery is America’s wound that NEVER healed properly.
If someone shoots you in the leg and hits a major artery, even if you tie a tourniquet around it, eventually you will have to get to a doctor to do major surgery to STOP the bleeding. Otherwise you will lose a limb or worse…die!!!
That’s how I see racism in America. Slavery was a MAJOR wound not only to the U.S. but the World. But the effects of it and the effects it’s had on people (black people in particular) has never been properly dealt with. It’s either been ignored, thrown money at, white-washed, or denied.
I was telling my friend that it seems as if America is regressing when it comes to racism and racial issues. We haven’t gone back to the days of Jim Crow, but something is going on.
I really believe we are moving backwards with racial equality…..SO many things that so many of “our” ancestors fought and died for is being done again and not much is being done about it. Its sad but true!! I really think that the issue lies with “us” not really sticking together when it is really needed for the “smaller” issues and trying to jump on the band wagon for what may seem to be the “bigger” issues. We can’t continue to sing the “we shall overcome” for one issue and not another, regardless of what one may deem to be bigger than the other. I really wish black folks really wake up and realize what is going on in the world and come together to do something about it, just as out ancestors did.
I usually don’t post more than a couple sentences on CL but I just had to vent this morning because these two issues that are posted are RIDICULOUS!!!!! Thanks……*whew*
Your so right J! Why IS this type of stuff still happening? I mean its 2008, white people really need to understand that black folks are NEVER going anywhere, and should just learn to accept that. You dont have to like us, but you darn sure need to respect us, and by respecting it means keeping your f*ucking racist thoughts, comments, & actions to yourself. I mean black people do this every darn day, why cant they?!!! Thats why I have mixed feelings about Obama running. Because if he wins, I really do believe they will assassinate him. And God Forbid that happens because that will open up pandora’s box and create even more issues between blacks and whites! **shrugs**
This woman, I would assume, being in the media spotlight, is very well versed. Why in the hell would she use the term “lynch” knowing the history and where the word derived from? I am sure she’s heard about Don Imus and the other jackass Golfer that lost to Tiger and said, “Oh, he’s going to feed us fried chicken and collard greens”. “These people” obviously have had discussions and/or made racial remarks amongst their family and friends and subconsciously “forget” they are not in the privacy of their homes and have Freudian slip of the tongue. The crap is embedded in their minds and “they” are not going to change.
FIRE HER AND LET HER FEEL THE WRATH!!
As fo Al . .No one else IS stepping up to the plate in our defense.
Aight folks. I understand what everyone is saying about ‘Tiger not being black” and “Tiger not caring because he’s weak”. Has anyone even considered that the chick might have just meant to say that “If any of these young players plan to challenge Tiger on the golf course, they might as well just try jumping him in a back alley.” Simply saying that there is no beating Tiger on the course, you’re better off banding together and kicking his aas. Everyone watches ESPN, and FOX Sports, the commentators are hired for their colorful personalities and off-beat jokes. I know racial tension is high, but give me a break. Tiger ain’t trippin’, why should we?
Cosign @ # 5 & 28.
Call me the Devil’s Advocate… or maybe slightly delirious (sp) from sleep deprivation, but I’m at the point where I’m sooo tired of these race “issues” every other week. We spend so much time and energy getting riled up at these incidents and it leaves us…. no where.
Shhiiiiit, I feel like Al Sharpton really does need to sit down ( I agree, #3). Calling for people’s resignation or suspending them is clearly ineffective (i.e. Imus).These people are still bouncing back and making money from the media’s attention. Furthermore, it’s only provoking this continuous vicious cycle of racism.
I made the mistake of actually reading the comments sections on one of Perez’s blogs and it completely blew me back. Racism is soo prevalent and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, it’s carried through generations… that’s a tough mindset to break.
Am I saying we shouldnt speak up on racial issues? No, not at all. But I do feel like we spend too much time on it. Call me naive, whatev. but I’m at the point I ignore it. I keep moving on, making money and bettering myself and others….and chalk it up as one of life’s challenges. (Maybe this is Tiger’s perspective too? i dunno)
So what the hell is my point….umm, not sure now… I’ll come back in five hours when I’m more awake.
The comment was told as joke, cause remeber Tiger Wood does not consider hisself black (African American), so thats why he’s not upset because the comment really doesn’t affect him.
#33 I have been the saying thing. If Obama wins, they will assasinate him, and black people will really be ready to tear the club up. It might evoke an all out race war. Personally, I can’t take it. I might have to jump ship to Canada or some other country with less drama…
Al Sharpton does need to pick and chose his battles. He need not come to the aid of Tiger Woods cuz Tiger is not Black (in his own mind), so therefore was probably not offended.
Racism is alive and well, and I am sure it will never die! People have to start minding their own business (like that crazy ass neighbor) and learn to accept that the world is full of different cultures and races. God made us all PERIOD.
AL, SHUT THE HELL UP! I’M SO SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THIS PERMED OUT NEW YEAR BLIMP CRYING ABOUT GETTING SOMEBODY FIRED ALL THE DOGGONE TIME!!! THE WOMAN SAID A RACIAL REMARK, SO WHAT!!! I’M BLACK, AND IT DID NOT OFFEND ME. DON’T THROW STONES WHEN YOU LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE IS WHAT MY GRANDMA USED TO SAY…
Thank you! #5
If this isn’t an eye-opener for his ass…No matter what he identifies himself as, to everyone else especially the Chalkcasians, he’s black.
What that ignorant female anchor said was just absurd. And the sick and twisted thing about is Tiger don’t care cause he a house negro. Always was and always will be.
And I’m sorry but I love elderly people and I have a soft heart for them. BUT, if she was my neighbor…I would make sure that she met her maker sooner than what she was supposed to.
We should focus our minds on things that more important than someone saying something that offends someonw. If Tigers o.k. with it who gives other people the right to try and take things in their own hands and comment on it.
We need to be focusing on whats really important like who we are going select for our next president! How are we going to get our troops from over their fighting a war thats really donn’t have anything to do with the United States, too many of our troops have been killed for absolutely no reason at all.
Focus our energy on other things that really matter. I did’t care about the Imus siuation and really don’t care about this one.
The world is coming to an end and people are not paying attention, especially when we get breaking news from regular scheduled programs that we are watching stating that Britnay Spears was put in Cedar hospital and blah blah, who cares about Britney? I feel for her children and her mental state of mind but its not a conrcen that should have not been interrupted to let the world know!
World grow up and get wise.
I know thats right #43.
Her crazy ass attacked the couple. So IF THEY DID beat the shit out of her it would be self defense right?!
@35 jumping does not have the same racial connotations as lynching. if she had said jumping there would not have been an issue.
I cant believe yall arguing bout that Tiger Woods shit
I’ll beat an old lady’s ASS for messing with my girl or my family.
Where Txxxx at? I need her to go pay a visit to this woman lol
#37
I F’N AGREE TO THE 10th PIE SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Black ppl are a forgiving ppl. I don’t see Tiger getting mad, hell, he’s married to a Caucasian female. WTF.
Now to that elderly lady in Arlington…………oh, she would have got dealt with! Medulla alagata – right behind the ear, she won’t feel shit!
All I have to say is……………..
I WILL CHANGE MY BLK SKIN, WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR BLK HEART.
@Chelly,
It would definitely be self-defense. I mean come on! She attacked them with a two-by-four. I’m sorry but that’s when my soft heart becomes hardened. Old or young, it’s time for a serious beatdown.
@ #5, Texas isn’t klan country…this isn’t the only place in the US that has racism…racism exists in the north, south, east, and west. Don’t be naive.
ok, 28! al, jesse…they can both sit their fame-grubbin asses down. he’s around for two seconds to get all the blacks riled up, then what? like 37 said, they’re back next week, more famous than before.
see, we waste so much time on small shit that we can’t even focus on what matters. bringing down all the white people is not how blacks are going to get ahead.
(she definitely could have picked a better choice of words – i dont think she meant them to be racially offensive. but i can definitely understand the people who do take offense. she’s in the public eye, this aint your high school classroom. people in her position are paid enough to damn well THINK before they speak and if they’re in incapable of doing so there are plenty of people who will fill her shoes in a sec.)
With all the incidents in the news of nooses being found in different locations, why would a white woman make a statement about a black man ( inspite of his confusion about his blackness) pertaining to lynching him in a alley? The hanging of Black men is such an ugly reality of American history. If she was attempting to be witty and humorous, it was crass, tasteless and showed poor judgement. This woman was well aware of what she was saying. That’s not the first time Tiger Woods was subjected to a racial slur, when he first entered the PGA another white male commentator made a remark about the type of food that would be served in the winner’s circle if Tiger won, fried chicken, collard greens etc. After all that mess with Don Imus here we are in 2008 with the same ol same ol, seems like some things never change.
LOL @ 43
I don’t see how they put up with her shit. I’m not so forgiving when it comes to certain things. Fuck turning the other cheek.
Sidebar: Why are we so quick to put our own people in check, but let white folks walk all over us? What type of shit is that? Come on now.
to #3 Bitch u sit down hoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!He can fucken say what ever the fuck he want stupid ass bitch!!
I dont think the way to deal with racist and ignorant comments is to ignore them. How can the behavior change if it is not called out as being offensive? What Kelly of the Golf Channel said was in poor taste, a joke can be in poor taste and offensive. I hope she was suspended WITHOUT PAY!!. The color that matters most to white folks is green.
damn racism has to end, i can’t deal with it anymore, i’m virtually speechless
Wow! What in the world is going on here? As far as the Golf anchor goes, she should’ve known better than to make a statement like that “out in the open”… If she and Tiger have been friends for a while and they “joke” with each other like that then, that’s something that should’ve been said behind closed doors.. For all we know – Tiger prolly “jokes” with her and says offensive things in a jokey-joke way to her, as well… But, there’s a TIME and PLACE for everything and her COMMON damn sense should’ve told her that wasn’t the time or place for a “joke” such as that…… She deserves to be suspended to the FULLEST extent of the punishment…
As far as the couple in Texas goes??? – Ay – Real Talk… I think someone would truly have to hold me back from whoopin’ the Holy SHIT out of her old ass the minute she stepped on my property….Point blank period. Even HERE is Mississippi – we have the RIGHT to shoot the SHIT out of anyone who may tresspass or break in our homes… Damn THAT… That law was recently passed here b/c crime was starting to get out of hand here in Jackson… The audacity for someone to try and destroy something you’ve worked hard for is beyond me… People should be able to live anywere they want to without being harrassed.
damn i didnt even read the second part!
lol if that bitch doesnt sit her old ass down somewhere…..
it’s people like her who keep perpetuating these sick, racist ideals onto their kids and on and on…
that’s a damn classy couple cus i probably would have handed her ass right back to her.
damn, im about to head to the mall this morning and it’s just too early to want to give all the white people the finger…mooosaaah and breathe.