Look, I’m not saying that people should go around saying the “N-word” willy nilly all over the place. That’s just ignorant. But, for someone to get in trouble — no matter what race they are — for repeating the lyrics of a song verbatim is nonsense and the adults in the room need to grow the hell up.
The latest example of scared, sanitized, politically correct sheeple are the people who run Penn Entertainment, the parent company of Barstool Sports.
A “popular host” of a podcast live streamed on Barstool Sports has been fired after saying a “racial slur” while repeating the lyrics of classic rap group Bone Thugz-N-Harmony’s biggest hits, “1st of Tha Month.”
“This morning, I made an unforgivable mistake slipping on air while reading a song lyric,” personality Ben Mintz said. “I meant no harm & have never felt worse about anything. I apologize for my actions. I am truly sorry & ashamed of myself.”
Except there’s one problem. Mintz shouldn’t be apologetic or ashamed of himself at all. He also didn’t make a mistake, either. The word was in the lyrics to the song, which he was not only repeating, but reading off a list of the lyrics.
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who was a frequent guest of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, caved to the parent company and allowed them to fire his friend and loyal employee, despite his apparent opposition to the move.
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“Penn paid a lot of money for Barstool and they have to make the best decisions to protect their business,” Portnoy said, as transcribed by the New York Post. “I trust and respect [Penn CEO] Jay [Snowden] that he makes what he thinks is the right move and that’s all you can ask for. Doesn’t mean I’ll always agree but again he deals with things I don’t have to think or deal with.”
Emergency Press Conference - Ben Mintz Has Left the Building pic.twitter.com/31faJrI6Op
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 3, 2023
Sorry, Dave. But you didn’t fight hard enough. I understand that it’s ultimately Penn’s decision, but you’re independently wealthy. Don’t let Penn do to Barstool what Californians have done to areas of Texas.
After news of Mintz's firing went public, Portnoy noted on Twitter that Penn's stock dropped a little over 10 percent.
I would never direct the “N-word” in a derogatory manner towards someone. But, if that word is a lyric in a song, or you’re quoting a movie or TV show, say it. This probably applies more to songs, but not saying it gives the word the hate that those who do use it nefariously want.
It’s a word. It’s one that people are rightfully careful about using, but to ignore its existence is to give it the aforementioned power reference above.
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