Paul Shirley fired from ESPN for Haiti comments
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Paul Shirley posted some rather polarizing comments about Haiti on FlipCollective Tuesday (Jan. 26). ESPN's ban-hammer was swift -- the former NBA player and author has been fired. Among the things he wrote about Haiti were, "I haven't donated to the Haitian relief effort for the same reason that I don't give money to homeless men on the street. Based on past experiences, I don't think the guy with the sign that reads "Need You're Help" is going to do anything constructive with the dollar I might give him. If I use history as my guide, I don't think the people of Haiti will do much with my money either."
and
"After the tsunami of 2004, the citizens of the world wailed and donated and volunteered for cleanup, rarely asking the important - and, I think, obvious - question: What were all those people doing there in the first place? Just as important: If they move back to a place near the ocean that had just been destroyed by a giant wave, shouldn't our instinct be to say, 'Go ahead if you want, but you're on your own now.'?"
Shirley then posts a hypothetical letter from the world to the people of Haiti:
Dear Haitians -
First of all, kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Your commitment to human rights, infrastructure, and birth control should be applauded.
As we prepare to assist you in this difficult time, a polite request: If it's possible, could you not re-build your island home in the image of its predecessor? Could you not resort to the creation of flimsy shanty- and shack-towns? And could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?
Sincerely,
The Rest of the World
Well. That is certainly one opinion. On Wednesday, ESPN released a brief statement announcing Shirley's
views "do not at all reflect our company's views on the Haiti relief
efforts. He will no longer contribute to ESPN."
Shirley is the author of "Can I Keep My Jersey" and (until recently) wrote the "My So-Called Career" blog for ESPN. Maybe someone else will pick him up and he can write the "My So-Called Career at ESPN" blog.
What do you think? Should ESPN have fired him for expressing these views?
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jerk
I have donated to the relief efforts for the simple reason that people are suffering and need help desperately. But I do agree with many of Paul Shirley's comments. The U.S. does provide hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Haiti each year so they can improve their country. Yet they do keep rebuilding the same old shacks disaster after disaster after disaster. It is aggravating because thousands of people didn't have to die. (And part of the reason the country is so poor is because of over-population despite birth control being available). I agree with many of Shirley's observations, but when you represent an organization, you have to be careful what you say. He shouldn't have been fired, but suspended perhaps.
Wow, what an ***.
Nah, he should have gotten fired, and then forced to do some community service down in Haiti.
What an ***!
I hate to say it, but while I disagree that we shouldn't support Haitians in their hour of need, I do agree that once everything's cleared away they don't just go back to the way they were. Haiti needs to have at least 20th century infrastructure to handle not just earthquakes but hurricanes, etc. Not to mention the institution of things like building codes. Otherwise we will be experiencing this again in the future. And if other potentially vulnerable nations aren't seeing this as a wake-up call, their leaders are either corrupt or stupid. Should ESPN have fired the guy? I don't know. Bill Maher lost Politically Incorrect for making, well, politically incorrect comments about 9/11. So the fellow's in good company.
Truth be told, most of Shirley's comments reflect EXACTLY what the rest of the world would like to say, but doesn't have the courage or desire to lose their job in an overly politically-correct world.
1) Why do people live near the ocean or below sea level (New Orleans?)?
2) Why do people who have NOTHING continue bringing more innocent kids into the world who will perpetuate the poverty and suffering?
3) Why does the U.S. pour millions into a country that squanders the money instead of building an infrastructure and safe housing?
Those are legitimate questions, and if Shirley had been just a tad more sensitive in presenting them, ESPN would have no grounds for dismissal.
The thing is - we're all hoping that Haiti rebuilds in a more responsible way.
But he was crude and cruel in his remarks and while Rush Limbaugh can get away with being an utter jerk, this guy couldn't and shouldn't have.
VERY poor taste to say it the way he did - essentially that he doesn't donate to people who look like they need it because they do.
Wow! The level of ignorance displayed in some of these comments is mind-boggling!!
Obviously Haiti needs the world help or else they're going to die, but I share his sentiments that it is almost certain Haiti will not pull through this any better than they were. Although, we can go back and blame French colonialism on some of its destruction.
It's no wonder that the world wants to blow your country up, with the attitudes displayed in this blog. The arrogance of Americans is exactly why you have to get cavity searched at airports now.
Have some compassion and understand that when you donate, you are giving, not receiving. Idiots, all of you (except for jill).
Amen Brother. Paul you are the man.