CNN political analyst Roland Martin laughably claims he was talking about soccer fans -- not gay men -- when he tweeted messages during the Super Bowl which now have the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the National Black Justice Coalition calling for him to be fired.
But a look at Martin's history shows what group he clearly was referring to when he tweeted, "Ain't no real bruhs going to H&M to buy some damn David Beckham underwear!" and "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!"
That's because for a long time Roland Martin has viewed gays as a group that, figuratively speaking, need the "ish" kicked out of them -- as in having a preacher "bowl down your alley."
I'll explain that, but first, let's not forget that this is a man who came to Tracy Morgan's defense when the comedian said he'd kill his own kid if he was gay. Though a Democratic political analyst and supporter of President Obama, Martin's been on the wrong side of gay rights in just about every debate, even saying "thanks" to the Miss USA pageant loser, Carrie Prejean, for coming out against same-sex marriage in 2009.
But most revealing are Martin's comments in a column he wrote in 2006, in which he promoted "pray-away-the-gay" therapy:
My wife, an ordained Baptist minister for 20 years, has counseled many men and women to walk away from the gay lifestyle, and to live a chaste life...For her, the obligation is to her calling as a minister of the Word, rather than bowing to societal pressures. She loves gay and lesbian church members dearly, and prays with them, talks to them, and breaks bread with them. But what she cannot do is compromise the integrity of the teachings of Christ.
Martin then compared homosexuality to alcoholism, one of the "dangers" that must be preached against:
It would be nonsense for the body of Christ to launch a gay and lesbian ministry that is not focused on teaching God's Word - including those that address homosexuality. Preaching about the dangers of becoming drunkard - which Paul wrote about in the Bible - must be taught alongside of Jesus' admonition in Matthew 19 that God has only called a man and woman to marry.
Martin went on to tell gays --whom he views as "captives" of "sin" -- that if they go to a church that is "rooted in the Bible" they should expect to be verbally bashed around a bit by the preacher, who will "bowl down your alley":
..if someone expects to join a church that is rooted in the Bible, then they should be prepared to hear a sermon that might, in the words of the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III of Dallas' Friendship-West Baptist Church, "bowl down your alley or sit in your pew." The church is called to love our fellow man, preach the good news and set the captives free - free from a life of sin. That isn't being homophobic. It's being a Christian. And no one should have to apologize for that.
In a message earlier in the day on Super Bowel Sunday Martin tweeted, "Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass."
There seems to be a pattern here: smack the ish out, whip dat ass, bowl down your alley, sit in your pew. GLAAD and NBJC say it exposes something ugly and, pointing to Martin's history, that it's time for CNN to show him the door. For too long Martin's gotten away with excuses, while CNN looked the other way. Refraining from suggesting violence against any group -- including soccer players -- isn't much for a news network to ask of its political analysts.
Follow Michelangelo Signorile on Twitter: www.twitter.com/msignorile
1) He hates soccer and every-time he there's something about soccer he will say something negative about it.
2) He was making fun of David Beckham and Piers Morgan who both love soccer,plus Beckham is considered by some world football fans as more of celebrity trying to play football not genuine athlete like pele, zidane, ronaldo (Brazil), messi and co. players that play the game and do less advertising.
3) To people that don't watch world football, or simply hate it, one of the reasons why that don't like it is due to the fact some modern soccer players from 2000 until now dive, play act in the game this is not considered "'Macho"" by other people who watch other sports.
4) Being called a wimp doesn't mean someone is gay cause even straight men can be wimps.Also some gay men are more macho than straight men. Thus lets not quick to jump when Roland says that real men can't wear the Beckham underwear cause it could mean either straight or gay men.
5) It was in private tweets and his jokes should be put in context and if you follow his history about soccer. You realise that he was trying to take a cheap shot soccer and nothing else.
Forget about whatever aspersions he may or may not have cast on one group or another - how about maintaining his dignity and credibility as an alleged journalist? If I ran CNN I'd fire him for 'tweeting' anything. Real men may tweet, but real journalists are too smart to cram their well crafted, duly considered statements into 140 characters, for consumption by a pack of pea-brains.
LMFAO!! Private tweets? You and Roland don't have a clue what Twitter is, do you?
Also, might you be interested in a bridge I have for sale?
CNN is over stepping the rights of an individual no matter Roland is their employee but he has the right to express his feelings and opinions on anything if he is not at work. CNN's gagging bill on freedom of speech and opinions for her employees cannot be accepted as right when workers are having fun or speaking at family or funeral functions during their private time. Is CNN going to police what the workers say within the confines of their own homes, say, during a family reunion or birthday parties? So what wrong did Roland commit by tweeting out his views and referring to his wife's love for gays but shunning their behavior?Since he is not condemning anyone but is using biblical inferences,he can only be opposed or advised otherwise, but not punished as is the case. Does he really deserve a suspension from his job, certainly not. CNN needs to revise its laws on the abuse of human rights, urgently.This is America, CNN,you can do better!!!!
JMB, Syracuse, NY
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/roland-martins-history-on_b_1259631.html
I never heard of Roland Martin before this. If his wife is an ordained Baptist Minister, there are many people who still believe she is overstepping her WOMANLY duties by exercising authority over men.
One little known facet of the christian myth is that Jesus and the disciples repeatedly write about loving those who are the most difficult to love -- through an outpouring and open exhibition of love, all non-believers should be drawn to god: not through vilification or insult or condemnation.
Michelangelo wrote a strong piece and used the very words that
Roland Martin 'professed' to being misunderstood or taken out
of context. Well, there is no context there now to be mistaken, eh?
Personally, I find his tweets Sunday to not just be offensive, but a call to anti-gay violence.
For that reason, he needs to be fired. Forgiveness is not an option.