Eight years ago, in August of 2017, ESPN decided to remove announcer Robert Lee from calling a football game because his name was similar to that of the Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee.
We should never forget how easy it is to slip back into this recent insanity.
Another “provocative” post that omits crucial context.
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How does the context help? A Chinese American guy is switched out of a game in Virginia because he had the same name as Robert E. Lee. It doesn’t matter what the context is, because it’s stupid no matter what. And why put square quotes on “provocative.”
Jonathan M.
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the Charlottesville ‘unite the right’ rally was a white supremacist and anti-somatic riot, the resulted in the horrible death of Heather Heyer, who is rammed by a truck.
the riot was precipitated when the city took down the statue of Robert E Lee.
there were no good decisions for ESPN to make. Switching the broadcaster’s gig was less provocative then sending him to that city. no scare quotes.
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i’m almost blind, so have fun making fun of my poor vision. I cannot accurately expect my voice to text.
if you were the broadcaster Robert Lee, would you have wanted to go to that football game and announce it on that day ?
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He did. It was not his decision, and there’s no need to pretend it was.
Lee is a very common last name among Asian people. It’s weird to expect them to be ashamed of it.
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“We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name… Robert expressed some personal trepidation … and opted for that game.”
ESPN news release.
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I’ve also had my bosses “collectively” make decisions with me. Good for you that this fate passed you by. I’m sincerely happy you don’t know what it looks like.
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Hahahahaha … ! *Of course* it was his decision at least in part, as the ESPN news release says. It was a danger zone. There was a race riot. An Anti-semitic (spelling right? am I OK?) riot. A murder.
A scholar like you should be more careful. Context means everything in this case. We all know your views, and how they are developing and evolving. You don’t need to mislead your readers. We respect you. That is why we are reading. But: Context matters. You messed up this time.
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There’s no context that makes this not very ridiculous in my eyes. We’ve got to have a sense of humor about this kind of thing. What did ESPN think, the viewers would decide it’s the long dead general come back to life if they happened to glimpse the announcer’s name? Honestly, what context makes this not funny?
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don’t presume, Clarissa!
if your name was Robert E Lee, would you have broadcast that game in Charlottesville that night yes or no God don’t be such a coward. Just tell your fans the answer!
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The broadcaster’s name is Robert Lee.
Of course, I would have wanted to work on that day or any other day. What a strange question. And honestly, it takes zero courage to say that.
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Honestly, what context makes this not funny?’
The actual context. That woman’s body was smashed beyond recognition. What is wrong with you?
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The ESPN announcer had absolutely nothing to do with that, I’m pretty certain. Usually, people don’t get punished for things they didn’t do.
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I’m wondering where the threat would come from. Would right wing people blame him for having that name? Or would left wing types want to harm him? That makes zero sense either way.
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I think the idea is that saying his name aloud would wound people to the point where they wouldn’t be able to follow the game.
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Actually, there were bad, as in dangerous, people on both sides at Charlottesville, plus the mayor, governor, and police were clearly foolish, incompetent, or both. Lee was married with young children, and wise to choose a different football game.
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That’s even worse! The announcer says his own name maybe once.
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Neither the announcer nor the viewers are mental. I’m sure they wouldn’t have even noticed. And even if they did, nobody would think it’s the Civil War Robert E Lee come back to life.
I had a classmate whose last name was Bundy. According to this strange logic, he should just kill himself because his existence must be intolerable to some people.
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I will not be returning to this site.
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A conservative literary critic and college professor
Clarissa's Blog 
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