Marshawn Lynch’s ‘unapologetic blackness?’

Sherman Alexie is a local author who is considered controversial because one of his books, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, keeps getting banned by misguided schools and associations that think the book isn’t age appropriate.

But now he can be considered controversial for a bizarre, silly and somewhat offensive poem about Marshawn Lynch at a Townhall Seattle event.

The Seattle Times says the poem was apparently written the same morning and asked, “Why didn’t the Seahawks give the ball to Marshawn Lynch and let him Beast Mode into the damned end zone?”

He wondered, the Times points out, “Would the NFL have fined the New England Patriots for Deflategate had its coach or quarterback been black?” (apparently failing to grasp that the investigation hasn’t been complete yet; and that they’ve been fined for past infractions).

Then: “Has anyone even been penalized for unapologetic whiteness?” Alexie asked. “I salute you, Marshawn. I honor you, I honor you, I honor you, and I sing this honor song for your unapologetic blackness.”

Marshawn Lynch’s behavior represents “unapologetic blackness?”

Understand what Alexie is saying: that Marshawn’s refusal to talk to the media and fulfill contractual obligations, show up late or not at all to some training, won’t stop grabbing his crotch in the end zone… all this represents “blackness.”

Do you believe that? Is that what blackness is? It reminded me of the supposed locker room chatter as to whether or not Russell Wilson is black enough and presumably that had to do with how he speaks and presents himself. Sherman Alexie is basically making the claim that people who do not act like Lynch aren’t black enough; with this world view, Wilson nor President Obama act black.

Do you wonder where racial stereotypes come from? As Ben Shapiro said this week on KTTH, they come from people like Sherman Alexie, who is tying Lynch’s image and brand to being black, rather than his skills as a football pro or characteristics unique to Beast Mode. What’s any of this have to do with him being black or blackness in general? It seems like a big part of this world view is informed by the lack of punishment against the white quarterback Tom Brady and his white coach Bill Belichick, for which, again, the investigation isn’t even complete.

Would love your thoughts. Please weigh in below for some constructive dialogue.