Let me state right off the bat that I have great respect for Stephen A. Smith, an accomplished sports columnist and commentator. But I do take issue with recent statements that he made during a debate with Skip Bayless on ESPN’s First Take today. An ESPN editor was fired and an ESPN anchor was suspended due to language used to describe the “down to earth” performance of New York Knicks sensation, Jeremy Lin, against the Hornets last Friday night. Moderated by Jay Crawford, the debate between the two outspoken sports pundits was about instances of insensitivity within the media coverage of Jeremy Lin, who is Asian American.

Instead of taking on the topic of the media and its coverage of Jeremy Lin, Smith chose to use the debate as an opportunity to criticize the ultra-sensitivity of black folks. The gist of his argument is that the black community’s ultra-sensitivity has created an environment in our society that has led to lost jobs and ruined careers in the media and now other “groups” (such as Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Gay & Lesbian Americans) are basically following in our footsteps in terms of their outrage over racial statements in the media (by the way, I’m African-American).

Now, I disagree with Stephen A.’s arguments on many points, in fact, I find much of what he said quite insulting to African-Americans. But what I found most troubling about his statements, is that they could easily be seen as insulting to Asian-Americans. Why? Because the original topic of the debate he and Bayless were having this morning on ESPN’s First Take was not about African-Americans, it was about the insensitivities in the media about Jeremy Lin, who, the last time I checked is an Asian-American!

The fact that Stephen A. Smith would take a debate about the coverage of Lin (an Asian-American) in the media and turn it into an indictment of black people’s “feelings”, really demonstrates how many of us (African-Americans) always want to make discussions about race and civil rights about us. When we do this, as Smith did this morning on ESPN, it’s as if we’re being dismissive of how others feel about issues that impact them as much as it impacts us. Other minority communities such as Asian-Americans have their own voices and can (and should more often, I might add) express their own thoughts about issues of race, especially in the instances when those issues directly involve them!

I understand why we as African-Americans are often front-and-center in regards to the issue of race. Our history in this country makes us (justifiable so) very loud and strong voices because, arguably, we have suffered the most when it comes to racism in America than any other group. But (and this is a ‘BIG’ “but”) our country has gone through a dramatic change demographically. We’re not the “only show in town” sort of speak, when it comes to racism. Hispanics are the largest minority community in the country. Asian-American are one of the fastest growing communities in this country. To make every debate concerning race about African-Americans is condescending to others and frankly, arrogant.

Though I’ve been critical of Stephen A. Smith in this piece, he is actually one of my favorite commentators because he’s one of very few blacks in the media that keeps it real. He tells you what he thinks and you can’t help but respect that. I tend to agree with Smith on a lot of issues. But not this time. To be clear: I don’t disagree with everything he said during his debate with Skip Bayless but I believe that Smith made the wrong argument at the wrong time this morning on ESPN’s First Take.

While Stehen A. thought he was making such a passionate and profound statement that would enlighten and serve as a dose of “tough love” to the African-American community, it’s more likely that his argument was tuned out by those in the Asian-American community who were turned off by his audacity to use a much needed debate about Jeremy Lin and the media as just another opportunity to single out the thoughts, feelings and actions of black folks.

I know that the Book of Hov is supposed to be about the lyrics of Jay-Z, but I have something that I want to get off my chest. In a way this piece is an indirect connection to Jay-Z and Hip-Hop. I want to talk about the controversy that surrounds boxing superstar, Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is a lightning rod, one of the most polarizing figures in professional sports. He is without a doubt, one of the greatest boxers of our generation. Undefeated at 42-0, Mayweather has dominated the boxing game yet he doesn’t get the respect that I think he deserves. He recently made some ‘controversial’ statements on Twitter about Jeremy Lin, the Asian-American breakout point guard with the New York Knicks. Reactions to Floyd’s statements on Twitter have been harsh. I believe that there are many factors that contribute to the ‘hate’ Mayweather receives. But the two major factors are: race and generation.

In response to the hype surrounding Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin, Mayweather tweeted:

Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.

While this is a rather blanket statement, I think Mayweather makes a valid point. Lin’s ethnicity is certainly not the only reason why there’s so much hype behind his performance, but it has definitely played a major role in the media hype and fan excitement. It’s not a negative assertion; it’s simply an honest assessment. I agree with Mayweather, Lin is a good player. He has taken advantage of his opportunity and he’s balling. It’s a great story. Sure Lin has performed well. That’s a given or there wouldn’t be media hype at all. But anyone who fails to acknowledge that Lin’s race is playing a large role in all of the hype is either incredibly naïve or in severe denial.

If a black hockey player, came out of nowhere, and performed the way Lin has done in that sport-in New York City, and a white pro boxer stated that the media coverage is largely because the hockey player is black, I would completely agree with him.

Anyone who has paid attention to the media coverage of sports and every other aspect of life knows that race almost always plays a role. The issue of race is one of the most compelling elements of any story. The media and society as a whole are absolutely obsessed with race. There are several aspects of the ‘Lin-sanity’ story that is compelling. The guy has a unique background. He’s a little-known Asian-American player who went to Harvard and has become the most exciting player in the NBA this season. Lin is an underdog that is now a hero in New York City, the basketball Mecca of the world.

As I stated, it’s truly an amazing story. But what’s intellectually lazy is not Floyd’s statement, but the dismissive reaction to it. I hope Jeremy Lin continues to do his thing, helping to make the Knicks relevant again because that’s good for New York, the NBA, sports, Asian Americans and pop culture. But to think that race is not the leading, driving force behind the hype is just delusional.

Here’s what else Mayweather tweeted:

I’m speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up.

Well, I don’t think NBA players need Mayweather to act as a spokesman and I wouldn’t say that NBA ballers are “programmed to be politically correct” (otherwise some of them wouldn’t routinely make statements that are not politically correct) but I do believe that too many black pro athletes are either too reluctant, too ill-informed, too ignorant, too afraid or just too arrogant to “speak up” about issues of race in sports and other areas of life. They don’t want to get “penalized” and often don’t seem to care enough as long as the big paychecks keep coming.

Mayweather is not afraid to “speak up”. Whether you agree with his perspectives is based on your own opinions, experiences and prejudices (we all have them). I don’t agree with everything Mayweather says but I respect his courage to say what’s on his mind, particularly when it comes to issues of race and America because I understand where he’s coming from.

The following tweet by Mayweather really gets to the heart of the issue of race and sports in America:

Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine. As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized.

I think this statement indirectly addresses a personal (and I believe justified) ‘beef’ that Mayweather has with the media and sports fans in America. This personal beef is indicative of how the media and society view the black pro athlete and black males in general. The above tweet is not about Jeremy Lin. It’s much bigger than that kid. It’s about Manny Pacquiao.

Ever since the explosive growth in popularity and performance from Manny Pacquiao, it seems that the whole world is desperately waiting for a superfight between him and Mayweather. The fight, if it ever happens, will easily be the biggest fight of our generation. The fight hasn’t happened (in fact, both boxers are slated to fight Cotto and Bradley in May and June, respectively) and if you ask both camps, the other fighter is solely to blame.

The back and forth is common in the boxing game and people will choose sides. Is Mayweather just scared to fight Pacquiao? Is Pacquiao trying to avoid Mayweather’s requests for blood testing? What about the roles that legendary promoter Bob Arum or Golden Boy Promotions is playing in all of this?

Here is what I believe has angered Mayweather: The American sports media clearly seems to be rooting for Pacquiao if and when the fight takes places. The general consensus is that Pac-man will destroy Floyd but this stance by many fans and those in the media seem to be driven more by wishful thinking than objectivity.

I think Floyd is astonished by the amount of hate he receives when it comes to his on-going drama with Pacquiao. Mayweather was born and breed in the U.S., an outstanding fighter who is a master in the ring. His skills are impeccable. His career has been illustrious. He has style and charisma. He’s smart (in and outside of the ring) and funny. He’s the cream of the crop in terms of prize fighters and yet it seems that the vast majority of American boxing fans and American media persons want to see him lose badly, to Pacquiao, a less charismatic and less skilled foreign fighter from the Philippines.

Why is that?

For the record, I love Pacquiao. I think he’s a great fighter. I would love to see him and Mayweather square off. It wouldn’t surprise me if Pacquiao won and I wouldn’t be suicidal or anything if it happened…but I’m riding with Floyd, every day, all day. And why shouldn’t I? I can guarantee you there’s not a Filipino man, woman or child in the country of Philippines that’s rooting for Mayweather if the fight was to happen.

I think it’s downright offensive and pathetic that so many American sports fans seem to be clamoring for Mayweather to get knocked out by an exciting, likable but foreign fighter. Sports have historically been an outlet to demonstrate pride and patriotism. The fact that an American sporting audience would blatantly root against an American born and bred fighter is mind-boggling to me. Filipinos in the Philippines rooting against Pacquiao would be banned from their country!

(To be fair, I can understand ethnic pride on the part of Filipino-Americans and other Asian Americans, but the truth is Mayweather probably has more in common with many of them than Pacquiao does).

Now, I know what some of you may be thinking: “Duane, you’re trying to make this a black vs. white thing”. Well, that’s far from the truth. In fact, I’m totally astounded by the hate and lack of respect for Mayweather by some black boxing fans and black members of the media. Example: Michael Wilbon, who I actually have a lot of respect for, has publicly called Mayweather a coward several times for not fighting Pacquiao. Huh?? What?? How can a man in his 50’s that has never in his life stepped in the ring, call a younger, stronger and faster man-that I would bet any amount of money could beat his ass with one hand-a coward? It seems to me that an old school cat that likes to talk so much about how he’s from the “Southside of Chicago” would be much more street smart than that.

See, I think the lack of country support for Mayweather speaks to a deeper-rooted issue in America: There’s a deep resentment of young black males in America and this is in full display with the young black pro male athlete. Sports is a microcosm of society, and young black pro males athletes represent all of us in the eyes of the media and face the scrutiny and character assassination that we all face every day- times 100.

The resentment of the young black male is not absolute or exclusive to a certain group. In other words, I’m not saying, for example, that all whites or only whites hold resentment for young black males. Quite the contrary, in fact, there appears to be a significant portion of older blacks that resent our generation. It’s more than just a generational gap- it’s a generational war! The plight of the young black pro male athlete in terms of favorability in America, is only complicated by the refusal of older black fans, media persons and former athletes to defend him, instead, they choose to stay silent or even far too willing to join in the fray of throwing stones at him!

The media hype and fan excitement behind young, professional, non-black athletes like Jeremy Lin or Tim Tebow are partly substantiated by their performances and partly driven by people’s insatiable desires to put on a pedestal someone that “looks like them”…along with their resentment of young black professional athletes.

“Anyone but another black guy”.

I’m only 35 years old, but I can faintly remember (and have constantly been told of) a time when black people supported, defended, celebrated, uplifted and compassionately criticized each other. We celebrated the smartest, toughest, strongest, funniest and most talented among us. And we carried the weakest among us and pushed them until they got stronger. Now generations in our community are so harshly divided based on such trivial things such as the choice of music, clothes, language, location, class, etc., that we no longer feel connected to each other from a cultural sense. We don’t root for each other. We hate and pray for each other’s downfall.

I can understand the resentment of the young, black male athletes like Floyd Mayweather by the ‘larger’ society. I don’t condone it, obviously, but I understand it, because it’s consistent with the ‘larger’ society’s M.O., sort to speak. But I will never understand or accept how older black sportswriters, former players turned analyst, doctors, lawyers and janitors can routinely throw young black male athletes under the bus on television, on radio, in print, online in discussion boards, in barbershops and on street corners.

More black men (under the age of 40 and from a variety of backgrounds) need to stand up, step up, speak up and speak out in defense and support of themselves and each other. The way I’m doing for Floyd Mayweather. Because it’s clear that not too many others will.

Mayweather’s recent tweets and many of the statements he has made in the past reflect a sentiment shared by many pro athletes and “regular” young black males alike. There’s a phrase popularized back in the day in Hip-Hop culture: “Keep it real”. It’s been overused and misapplied, but it’s still one of my favorite sayings. Truth can be subjective but honesty is authentic. When one keeps it real, he’s brutally honest about how he feels and isn’t afraid to speak his mind even if he gets hated on. Few black pro athletes truly keep it real for themselves, each other and all of us. Floyd Mayweather does.