Video: Rob Parker questions Robert Griffin III "is he a brother or is he a cornball brother?"

"Are we really making judgments and insinuations and raising speculation about people and their character based on how they wear their hair, who they marry, and what their political beliefs might be?  Is this real life? "

???

Yes u f cukin idiot how much else is there to go by?? In no defense to parker (i think hes a lil out of line criticizing RGIII, given how RG3s handled these race questions), but You think being a black republican, doesnt have a shit ton of cultural, social, and historical issues/connotations behind it, etc.? Etc., You dont think hairstyle is indicative of lifestyle or is/can be a political statement? Goto wikpedia idiot and look up hairstyle or somethin then see what you learn.

I have a big prolem with this announcer! Where are his braids? I guess he isn't a"brother"! Really?!? What does the color of skin have to do with a persons "heart". I am glad this man was fired. But iI am sure it will not stop him from spewing racists remarks!

I have a BIG problem with several aspects of ESPN's reporting and advertising choices. First and foremost everyone is entitled to their own opinion however as he is a representative of ESPN then prudence should dictate that he keep his racist attitude at home or on his PRIVATE blogs. I speculate that ESPN knew of his prejudices and never addressed them in a private format but as I wrote to their (ESPN) advertising department I believe that common sense has left their executive branch. I have noticed for the last month and a half that a dating site called "blackpeoplemeet.com" has had many spots afforded to them (I am sure they paid a hefty price for some of those time slots) but as I asked the advertising department " Would they patronize a company called "whitepeoplemeet.com" and afford them the same advertising privileges or shun away due to fear of reprisals from the African-American community? My point is that the attitudes of the broadcasters are sometimes a window into the attitude of the executives.    

The consequences for Mr. Parker's comments are appropriate.  Remember Mr. Imus's comments regarding the young women basketball players.  Mr. Parker did not consider his comments about Mr. Griffin offensive which speaks volumes about Mr. Parker.  He readily admits that he has friends spying on Mr. Griffin...Mr. Griffin is a young adult who has just checked into the Hotel California and he needs mentors, family, fans and faith in order to survive.  

There should be a proper forum for Mr. Parker's comments to be aired, ESPN was not the place.

why should a man be suspended for telling the truth? let's go a little bit farther in my time , he wouldn't only be called a cornball brother but also some of you will know what i am saying stepin fetchit,uncle tom,or sell out. now free rob parker. i can't believe  that we allowed him in chocolate city my birth place 1940

Stupid is Stupid does ! Jimmy The Greek must be dancing in the clouds! For those who don't know who The Greek is.....Check in with Mr. Google! Rob Parker obviously didn't get the memo when he was in the green room, that HE WAS NOT IN HIS BARBERHOP! And the other memo, that said, what gets talked about in the "shop," STAYS in the shop ! I firmly believe IF Stephen A. Smith was in the studio that day, rehearsing with Skip Bayless, Carie, Rob Parker & the other complementing personalities, This incident would NOT have happen! Stephen A. woud have nixed it from the get go! I can't believe Skip didn't put a "lid" on Rob, had Parker made his intentions known! I am curious whether SKIP & Carie knew beforehand or not.

People in. This country are not prepared to have a disscussion of race is the driving force in this country that keeps ethnic groups such as african americans at odds with this system this simply made acomment about a topic that espn is not even equipped to talk about. So stay away from this topic if you can't take the truth I can't believe how this is being so blown out of proportion yet.mike whats his face on the mike and mike in the morning show still holds down a spot after calling MLK martin luther koon its double standards for whites being black in america damn if you do damn if you don't!

Glad to report, he has been suspended indefinitely by ESPN.  Pretty much "fired"

Unbelievable the man is being. Villianized for exspressing his opinion why was this even being disscused on espn l thought this network was for talking sports

I wonder if Rob Parker has ever spoken to Charles Barkley.  Charles was married to a white woman, and admitted to voting Republican years ago.  He joked that when you're broke, you vote Democrat, but when you're making money, you vote Republican...HA HA!  I doubt that he'd say Charles wasn't a true "brother," but yet he holds these same things in common with RGlll.  Parker also hung himself by admitting that he couldn't even confirm Griffin's supposed political affiliation, so he got himself suspended by spouting rumor, then passing judgment on it as if it were fact.  Those are some really solid journalistic standards...HA HA!

How dare Parker call RGIII a Republican!   Is RGIII a racist, sexist homophobe?  What a mean thing to say.

No, Rob Parker is NOT "Columbia educated."   Let me tell you why!   People like Parker are "allowed" to attend high end schools to fulfill their mutual agendas.   BUT, they are not required to attend class (responsibility is racist).  They are not required to read text (required reading is racist).   They are not required to write papers (required writing is racist).  They are not required to pass tests (needing to pass tests is racist).  So, while they were listed as attending college, they didn't have to participate in the education process, (so they left as ignorant as they began).  

Even with honors, I couldn't go to Columbia because I could not afford it.   And, people like Parker, who have an entitlement gene, took a space that could have been used by someone who would have cherished, valued, respected, and participated in the opportunity.   IOW, Parker PREVENTED a worthy person from an education; just so he could "hang and brag" (just like our "ahem" "first lady"). 

Why is Rob Parker even employed in this field?   He has an awful history of nasty, intolerant, and just plain ignorant statements.   

Why do we "owe" him this position?   He doesn't deserve such a vaunted role in the world!  He is, in plain speak, a jerk!

Here is why I hate Rob Parker.

He just engaged in a very slick smear campaign against RGIII....and it harkens back to the phrase that black people are like crabs in a bucket...always trying to pull someone back.

Read very carefully........RGIII IS NOT A REPUBLICAN. He just isn't.

Even if he was.....I wouldn't care, but his handlers are smart enough to realize that stating your political opinions is an easy way to turn off half your fanbase.

Parker floated it out there that "RGIII might be a Republican" when there is zero, zilch, nada, no proof of that at all......and what pisses me off is that it isn't true at all. 

The reason Parker did it was to float this idea that RGIII is different from the rest of us black people and is a possible "sell out: and "uncle tom"

People like Parker make me sick because it perpetuates the stereotype that if you are black, speak well, get an education and don't shuck and jive in front of the camera......then you are somehow less black and "selling out"

This also goes to show how education has absolutely nothing to do with certain kinds of intelligence. The most educated people can hold the most extreme, or ignorant views. I believe Rob Parker is actually Columbia-educated, but I've always found him to be incredibly inarticulate, and the reasoning behind his opinions on sports issues to be cartoonish at best. This was just more of the same. He's a clown, as are the other regulars on "First Take."  Skip Bayless' opinions are also devoid of reason. Stephen A. usually makes sense, but his rantings so hold you hostage that you tune out what he has to say. I immediately felt sorry for Cari Champion when she got this assignment, because it's on a strictly junior varsity show. It's where they stick either new hires to break in, or personalities that simply don't belong or fit on any of their better programs.

"THE CAUSE" is about not denying or running away from being Black, and understanding the responsibilities of projecting a strong positive Black male image within and to our communities, "reach one- teach one". If you dont undeerstand that, you either grew up in the suburbs or not Black and therefore you will never understand.

Rob could have said his point much more "P.C.",  but we should not deny the premise of his opinion does have validity

RGIII went to Baylor University.  And he is a republican.  Why is this guy shocked?

I am a serious Redskins fan....and oh by-the-way I am Black...for the last Sixty-Five Years. Sadly, I have always believed that "Rob Parker" was a MORON...he has opened his mouth and REMOVED ALL DOUBT!!! Way to go ESPN!!!

It's funny how people want to redefine "racist" to mean anything offensive that is race-related.  Kind of waters down the original meaning.

Here we go again!... What exactly does it mean to be "Black Enough in America today" as defined by folk who are people of color? Is it playing the blame game e.g. "why I did not do what I said I would do... Ooops "not my fault! ... or is this ESPN newsperson who seems to imply in his comments below about RGII that being "Smart (intelligent)," a good person, trustworthy, successful in this world today, good to his woman (regardless of her race or creed (belief system) or even the way she happens to wear their hair... is that what "Not Being Black Enough" means? or is it something else ... not really sure... but what is clear, in my opinion, is that not being "Black" enough is a phrase too often used to pick and choose what is and is not black enough based solely on physical attributes, characteristics or behavior (often bad)... which has nothing to do with weather a person of color displays real real Value-Based NEW WORLD qualities (that people can depend on and place their trust)... Attributes such as Character, integrity, and personal excellence!, someone who does what he say when no one is checking up on them (because it is the right thing to do... like our moms and dads did)..., or who has overcome the natural obstacles life throws at all of use, yet still, in spit of it obtains a position of success... on his or her own terms a true MAN...or in the case of a female a true WOMEN! I don't have the answers to some of the questions I pose I only hope the next generation of Black kids take the time to consider what being "Black Enough" really means to people of color ... it should mean a people with an attitude that "Success should be measured Not so much by the car you drive, type of hair you have, number of curse words you can say or number of folks you can beat up or kill, or how you speck or dress or who you date or marry or even the position you may obtain.... but "Being Black Enough" should be measured by the OBstacles that You have Overcome to become a "PERSON OF EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY" THAT'S WHAT "BEING BLACK ENOUGH SHOULD ONE DAY MEAN! Until them I applaud RGII for all he has accomplishment to date and those he will accomplish in the future as a person and as a MAN! YES! HE IS "BLACK ENOUGH" on all levels!

Parkers point's were so backward which sounded hateful and made no since what so ever. RG3 is a bright man and is way ahead of his time, nobody should be defined by race, but for who you are as a person. 

So what if RG3 is married to a white women and is a republican? Parker thinks that if your black, you got to act a certain way? I'm tired of people like Parker who thinks so backward.

The writer asks: "Are we really making judgments and insinuations and raising speculation about people and their character based on how they wear their hair, who they marry, and what their political beliefs might be?  Is this real life?"

There are no excuses for Rob Parker's comments. But the questions the writer asks can be answered with a collective YES.  People criticize and make judgements about people based on their hair, whom they choose to date/marry and their political beliefs everyday. Just ask the meteorologist who just lost her job for defending her hair style to a viewer who criticized it on Facebook.  While they may not say it publicly, as Parker did, there are many who share Parker's questions about Robert Griffin III being engaged to someone of a race other than his.  Is it right? No. Is it reality? Yes.  And, certainly, we all see who people are judged on a daily basis because of the political beliefs. 

Rob Parkers comments on "First Take" were disturbing because in this day and age, you just don't expect to hear someone in that position make comments like that and not expect more than a few eyebrows to raise.  I'm sure he knew exactly what he was doing.  ESPN hired Parker for "First Take" because he can be outspoken with his opinions.  The same goes for Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith.  Parker just went too far and his suspension is appropriate pending further review.

parker ,u are a pathetic fool!!!!

Rob Parker is an honest man.

Unlike most of you, talking about racism but ignoring the fact that REDSKINS is a damn RACIST name!

Rob Parker is a hack sports reporter and probably the most hated sports guy in Detroit. He has to be provocative to get ratings-- he is a bitter, venomous person who most have tuned out. I go to sporting events in Detroit and when he walks by NOBODY greets or acknowledges him except those who are paid to put up with him. A truly wretched individual. 

Here is higher quality video of the incident (plus some of the other debate that followed): http://grabien.com/story.php?id=272

Where is the uproar over this?  If the commentator was white, ESPN would be apologizing up and down, while firing said commentator.

Racism goes both ways - determining someone's "blackness" only perpetuates stereotypes and continues to divide this country based solely on someone's skin color.

Said Bob Marley:  "Until a Man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, everywhere is war!"

rob barker is a typical black RACIST

First Take could have done a segment on the NHL Lockout. Oh, I forgot. First Take dosen't consider hockey relevant.

They don't like RGIII because he is a great player who doesn't sound like he's from the hood.  That's just not cool, man.

Charles Barkley was married to a white women and is a republican; does Rob Parker feel the same about Sir Charles?  Is Rob Married to a Black Women?  We know Stephen A. Smith is not.  All the So-Called Brothers that call out otther brothers for not marrying Black women generally are not married to one either.  Hmmm, why are you waiting - or do you have something to hide???????/