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ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 12:56 PM Apr 2014

Baseball Great Hank Aaron Flooded With Racist Hate Mail After Defending Obama

Baseball Great Hank Aaron Flooded With Racist Hate Mail After Defending Obama

The Atlanta Braves have been deluged with hate mail after baseball great Hank Aaron's recent comments about racism in America and President Obama's critics.

According to USA Today, the Braves organization has received hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls since Aaron made his comments a week ago.

"Hank Aaron is a scumbag piece of (expletive) (racial slur)'' read an email from a man named Edward, according to USA Today.

Edward evidently used the racist epithet five times.

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hank-aaron-atlanta-braves-racist-hate-mail

78 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Baseball Great Hank Aaron Flooded With Racist Hate Mail After Defending Obama (Original Post) ProSense Apr 2014 OP
Nothing new for Hammerin' Hank. KamaAina Apr 2014 #1
I remember that. He received death threats... KansDem Apr 2014 #34
I remember it also. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 2014 #62
No, I read here at DU ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #35
That was me. KamaAina Apr 2014 #36
I know. eom 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #39
I guess they really do prove his point. nt kelliekat44 Apr 2014 #64
Remember....Republicans say it's Dems who are the racists. Cali_Democrat Apr 2014 #2
and some from all camps say, there is no racism - because the President is black. Whisp Apr 2014 #3
Exactly gratuitous Apr 2014 #8
I think when white people use the "N" word it's a strong indication that they are racists. agbdf Apr 2014 #51
I was exaggerating only slightly gratuitous Apr 2014 #55
The majority may not be overtly racist. And some may not be particularly racist at all. nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #61
That's because they think the only REAL racism is reverse racism. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #14
It's disgustingly predictable - you dare to mention this country's history of violent racism nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #65
They'll claim people like Sharpton are just trying to stir em up.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #69
They said the same shit about Dr. King. Certainly Sharpton is no MLK but I think nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #74
Yeah,....they're broken records. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #75
indeed. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #20
some of them troll this site and try to push the bs that there isn't much racism JI7 Apr 2014 #22
Baseball Great Hank Aaron Was Flooded With Racist Hate Mail rocktivity Apr 2014 #4
Way to prove Hank Aaron's point, morons! nt alp227 Apr 2014 #5
No kidding Ishoutandscream2 Apr 2014 #11
+1 Johonny Apr 2014 #50
Aaron was pretty gentle in his comments, he could have been much disparaging of people now Hestia Apr 2014 #6
That's because Aaron has more class than all those racist idiots combined LynneSin Apr 2014 #32
and then some malaise Apr 2014 #48
Happy Jackie Robinson Day America. Try harder. TeamPooka Apr 2014 #7
I was sooo lucky to see Jackie Robinson play pangaia Apr 2014 #16
Wow, that's pretty cool! BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #37
It was. pangaia Apr 2014 #56
lol! BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #68
Classy response from the redneck crowd... Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #9
Redneck is bigoted label agbdf Apr 2014 #60
FUCK racist redneck pieces of shit. DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2014 #72
One of the three most heroic baseball superstars ever... dsharp88 Apr 2014 #10
There aren't enough facepalms for this kind of crazy. Initech Apr 2014 #12
I am 100% not surprised gollygee Apr 2014 #13
Makes ya wonder if the guy is a football fan. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #15
What? Bluzmann57 Apr 2014 #17
Meaning, the irony considering how many black players there are in football. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #27
Oh. Bluzmann57 Apr 2014 #28
Guess it depends on how long you've been posting too. I date back to the BBS days. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #33
I don't know Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 2014 #63
Not to mention the Dittohead rants after Rush got booted from his "color commentary" gig. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #71
Sad hibbing Apr 2014 #18
Anyone who doubts the rights hatred of Obama is driven by racism, is simply not paying attention Ohio Joe Apr 2014 #19
a sample ... napkinz Apr 2014 #21
no surprise, this is post racial amerikkka heaven05 Apr 2014 #23
Two can play. oldandhappy Apr 2014 #24
smgdh n/t RainDog Apr 2014 #25
Why am I not surprised with the yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #26
NO...Its not!!! FreedRadical Apr 2014 #43
Racisits have become embolden over the years... yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #47
they have been bolder noiretextatique Apr 2014 #66
HI Oakland!!! yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #78
I hardly ever read Jamaal510 Apr 2014 #52
agree yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #53
Most other sites I car little about. FreedRadical Apr 2014 #57
So you think the racists are here on DU? yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #58
Again. I care little about what is said. In fact, I hope they say more. FreedRadical Apr 2014 #59
SSDD! madashelltoo Apr 2014 #29
Sons of bitches...... a kennedy Apr 2014 #30
Sorry, not happy with the disconnect in the tag line. TinkerTot55 Apr 2014 #31
Say on an average, nothing-happening day Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #38
One would have been too many nt NoGOPZone Apr 2014 #45
This is funny, in a way. These racists are proving Aaron's point ... kwassa Apr 2014 #40
These are the people the NSA and Homeland Security randr Apr 2014 #41
Lemme guess? "Edward's" last name is Snowden? Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #42
Anybody call Mr. Aaron a "Piece of shit used car salesman?" nt msanthrope Apr 2014 #44
A mirror into the wretched souls of some of those eaten up with hate, discrimination, and prejudice indepat Apr 2014 #46
He's always been a class act. Warren DeMontague Apr 2014 #49
I remember listening to Milwaukee Braves games on the radio The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2014 #54
I was always a Willie Mays fan but I have a ton of respect for Hank Packerowner740 Apr 2014 #67
Sweetheart! Gotta consider the source.. frothing assholes who have wasted their lives Cha Apr 2014 #70
Obama supporters have been calling Obama critics racist since 2007. At least. Skip Intro Apr 2014 #73
Good work, FOX and rightwing media! You've set us back 40 years Adenoid_Hynkel Apr 2014 #76
Well that's makes sense it is America after all. trublu992 Apr 2014 #77
 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
1. Nothing new for Hammerin' Hank.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 01:13 PM
Apr 2014

These same bedsheet racists (or their fathers, anyway) pestered him the whole time he was chasing Babe Ruth's home run record.

KansDem

(28,498 posts)
34. I remember that. He received death threats...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:59 PM
Apr 2014
Breaking Ruth's record[edit]

Aaron himself downplayed the "chase" to surpass Babe Ruth, while baseball enthusiasts and the national media grew increasingly excited as he closed in on the 714 career home runs record. Aaron received thousands of letters every week during the summer of 1973; the Braves ended up hiring a secretary to help him sort through it.[30]

Aaron (then age 39) hit 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 season one home run short of the record. He hit home run number 713 on September 29, 1973, and with one day remaining in the season, many expected him to tie the record. But in his final game that year, playing against the Houston Astros (managed by Leo Durocher, who had once roomed with Babe Ruth), he was unable to achieve this. After the game, Aaron stated that his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. [31]

He was the recipient of death threats during the 1973 winter season and a large assortment of hate mail from people who did not want to see Aaron break Ruth's nearly sacrosanct home run record.[32] The threats extended to those providing positive press coverage of Aaron. Lewis Grizzard, then sports editor of the Atlanta Journal, reported receiving numerous phone calls calling journalists "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. While preparing the massive coverage of the home run record, he quietly had an obituary written, afraid that Aaron might be murdered.[33]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Aaron

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,104 posts)
62. I remember it also.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 08:06 PM
Apr 2014

A TV show covering Hank's achievement showed some of the hate mail he received. 40 years later much the same.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
35. No, I read here at DU ...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 04:05 PM
Apr 2014

some of the good citizens calling him the N-word were not racists at all ... they were merely hardcore Yankee fans!

I kid you not!

ETA: Correction ... It was only a few, not "some."

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
36. That was me.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 04:07 PM
Apr 2014


I'm not sure whether the Yankee fans used the N-word or not. And they were SOME of the good citizens. Many others were, in fact, bedsheet racists.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
8. Exactly
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 02:46 PM
Apr 2014

And, just because the hate mail uses uses the word "nigger," that in and of itself is certainly no indication that the person who wrote that is racist or anything. If you say it does, you're just avoiding the discussion and trying to wriggle out of the crushing grip of their superior reason by derailing things by introducing the topic of racism.

At least, that's what I think Jonathan Chait has been trying to say for the last couple of weeks. No, it doesn't make any sense.

 

agbdf

(200 posts)
51. I think when white people use the "N" word it's a strong indication that they are racists.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 05:45 PM
Apr 2014

However, I have several Republican friends and some Republicans in my own family and I would say that the vast majority of Republicans are not racists. They are mostly well meaning people with misinformed and misguided beliefs. I work very hard to convert my Republican friends and neighbors and I have been successful in some limited instances over the years.

I'm not with those who would hastily compare all Republicans to the KKK.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
55. I was exaggerating only slightly
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 06:01 PM
Apr 2014

The dear departed Bartcop's rule of mistakes was that if someone makes a "mistake" that puts more money in his pocket, he'll probably keep making that same mistake over and over. It was in the context of the mortgage crisis, because all of those banks had somehow coincidentally kept making the same mistakes that resulted in all kinds of commissions and bonuses. Logic dictates that at some point, they weren't really making mistakes writing all those bad mortgages because it was so lucrative.

By the same token (npi), Republicans keep coming up with new policies and programs that just happen to disproportionately affect black people negatively (tax cuts, voting restrictions, refusal to raise the minimum wage, etc.). Jonathan Chait’s fatuous column from last week excuses these political maneuverings because some white people are affected, too, so it’s wrong to call it racist.

EXCEPT that it’s pretty obvious from even a cursory analysis that the majority of the impact from these proposals is going to fall on black people, who vote about 10-1 in favor of Democrats. Chait and the Republicans are trying to peddle the line that it’s merely coincidental and nothing racist about it; it just so happens that Republican policies slam blacks time after time.

Which is flat nonsense. And while individual Republicans might be able to make a case that they are not racist, their party of registration clearly is. What are individual Republicans doing about that? Are they punishing their elected officials for advocating for racist policies? No? Then they’d better get used to being called racist, because their silence ensures a racist result, whether they like it or not.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
61. The majority may not be overtly racist. And some may not be particularly racist at all.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 08:02 PM
Apr 2014

But the modern Republican Party has become so tainted with racism - assuming it wasn't already - that it's difficult to separate one from the other.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
65. It's disgustingly predictable - you dare to mention this country's history of violent racism
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 08:57 PM
Apr 2014

and they'll come out with some mostly irrelevant rant about the supposed epidemic of black-on-white hate crimes. Shows pretty clearly that they think white people are the only people who matter.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
69. They'll claim people like Sharpton are just trying to stir em up....
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 11:06 PM
Apr 2014

Because,...ya know,...gotz to keep em in their place.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
74. They said the same shit about Dr. King. Certainly Sharpton is no MLK but I think
Wed Apr 16, 2014, 12:28 AM
Apr 2014

you take my point nonetheless.

rocktivity

(44,555 posts)
4. Baseball Great Hank Aaron Was Flooded With Racist Hate Mail
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 02:28 PM
Apr 2014

In The Course Of Hitting Enough Home Runs To Become A Baseball Great


rocktivity

 

Hestia

(3,818 posts)
6. Aaron was pretty gentle in his comments, he could have been much disparaging of people now
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 02:42 PM
Apr 2014

and back then when he surpassed Ruth's record. I find it funny that these people take "racist" comments to heart and then write to a person with the exact racist comments the original commenter* was commenting on - whew! what a tongue twister

*yeah, I know, not a "real" word - just a forum one

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
16. I was sooo lucky to see Jackie Robinson play
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:06 PM
Apr 2014

when I was a kid.
On a team of stars he was like a burning comet....

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
56. It was.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 06:25 PM
Apr 2014

but I didn't realize it at the time.
I also saw Willy Mays, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby.. and even a few white guys like.. Di Maggio, Mantle, Rizutto, Whitey Ford... they weren't slouches, either.
Man, I must be old !

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
9. Classy response from the redneck crowd...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 02:47 PM
Apr 2014

Looks like Aaron's 'uncomfortable truths' hit a little too close to home...

 

agbdf

(200 posts)
60. Redneck is bigoted label
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 07:32 PM
Apr 2014

When we engage in bigotry by using inappropriate names for people, of a certain race, who's politics we disagree with, we bring ourselves down to the same level of those on the right who use similar tactics. Either one is a bigot or they are not. You can't be an appropriate or good bigot just because you have the right intentions. Calling a lower-middle class or rural white person a "Redneck" is a slur. These are the very people who benefit from our Democratic policies and we should be reaching out to them not calling them names.

The types on our side who use the bigoted terms for ethnic groups who don't agree with us make me think that they too would make disparaging remarks about African Americans if the African American Community supported Republicans instead of our candidates.

The problems with names and slurs is that they have the intent or goal of dehumanizing those who are target by them. We are better than that and, even though there are plenty on the other side who engage in this conduct, we should not stoop to their disgusting level.

 

DisgustipatedinCA

(12,530 posts)
72. FUCK racist redneck pieces of shit.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 11:46 PM
Apr 2014

Thank you for the lecture, and welcome to Democratic Underground.

dsharp88

(487 posts)
10. One of the three most heroic baseball superstars ever...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 02:50 PM
Apr 2014

Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig being the other two.

Here are two words that describe each of them - "quiet dignity". Or maybe, "courageous integrity".

How many sports stars can you think of you can apply either of those two phrases to? A few, sure, but not very many at all.

Bluzmann57

(12,336 posts)
17. What?
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:16 PM
Apr 2014

What do you mean?
I'm a football fan and I truly admire Hammerin' Hank Aaron and love baseball too, if one considers the Cubs a baseball team anyway. Just sort of wondering if you are trying a (allegedly) humorous cheap shot a football fans. If not, then what?
Anyway, enjoy Jackie Robinson day all over MLB today.

Bluzmann57

(12,336 posts)
28. Oh.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:42 PM
Apr 2014

Thanks for clearing that up. Sorta hard to tell what's going on sometimes when there is no real human one on one contact.

hibbing

(10,076 posts)
18. Sad
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:17 PM
Apr 2014

It is sad, but it is not really that surprising with the overt racism of the Republican party in this country and the fucked up teabaggers.

Peace

Ohio Joe

(21,656 posts)
19. Anyone who doubts the rights hatred of Obama is driven by racism, is simply not paying attention
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:22 PM
Apr 2014

They seem to prove it day after day.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)
24. Two can play.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:31 PM
Apr 2014

Time for us to go to the Braves website and send some supporting emails. Please do not let this go without a response. I suspect USA used this for sales. Maybe we should let them know we are underwhelmed.

yuiyoshida

(41,762 posts)
26. Why am I not surprised with the
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:34 PM
Apr 2014

Teabaggers getting press. Those white hoods seem to pop up every time some minority is in the news.. all you have to do is look at comments after each on line newspaper story or read the comments on youtube. com. This country has become worse and worse in terms of racism.

FreedRadical

(518 posts)
43. NO...Its not!!!
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 05:10 PM
Apr 2014

Just becoming harder and harder to cover up what it has always been.

AND... Harder and harder for progressive's to ignore the deeper implications.

yuiyoshida

(41,762 posts)
47. Racisits have become embolden over the years...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 05:17 PM
Apr 2014

IT took Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, and the election of Obama to bring this to a full head. During the Bush Era there was some voices saying racist things...but the Right wing hated that Obama was elected.. YOU see it all over the internet now.. that too has contributed to the nasty dialog. They don't even try to hide it any more... Oh and by the way...I grew up in San Francisco, a very diverse place filled with many people of different cultures. I never saw any racism at my high school. It wasn't till I went on the internet where I discovered I could be called a "Chink", a "Jap", a "Gook" ...as well as other derogatory names.

Jamaal510

(10,893 posts)
52. I hardly ever read
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 05:46 PM
Apr 2014

YouTube comments anymore. It makes me feel like I've been infected with cooties every time I read some. Normally the average YouTube comment is kinda idiotic, anyway, but I noticed that it gets boosted to the next level particularly on videos where there are mainly minorities, especially music videos or videos of random fights.

FreedRadical

(518 posts)
57. Most other sites I car little about.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 06:47 PM
Apr 2014

Stay tuned right here on this one. Soon the chickens will come home to roost.

yuiyoshida

(41,762 posts)
58. So you think the racists are here on DU?
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 06:52 PM
Apr 2014

If so, they don't last long. That's why we have Hosts, and people volunteering on MIRT.

FreedRadical

(518 posts)
59. Again. I care little about what is said. In fact, I hope they say more.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 07:13 PM
Apr 2014

What I care about is real and lasting change. I grew up with this shit. There is little that can be said to me that hasn't been said before.

The thing I find most repulsive about our country is the denial. The denial of hate. The denial of privilege. The denial of contempt. The denial of destructive psychology. The denial of the BIG LIE.

I will not support a new master in exchange for the old and call it good.

TinkerTot55

(198 posts)
31. Sorry, not happy with the disconnect in the tag line.
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 03:42 PM
Apr 2014

"Flooded" and "deluged" does NOT equal "hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls."
Hundreds.
Over 300 million people in the USA, and the Braves organization received "hundreds?"
That comes nowhere NEAR the number of racists in Georgia alone.

But that's okay. Most of us know what a classy individual Mr. Aaron is, and expect that type of hatred toward anyone who points out to racists that they are, indeed, saying racist things.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
38. Say on an average, nothing-happening day
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 04:10 PM
Apr 2014

Just how many daily e-mails and phone calls unrelated to ticket sales DO the Atlanta Braves get? Maybe a dozen??

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
40. This is funny, in a way. These racists are proving Aaron's point ...
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 04:12 PM
Apr 2014

that not that much has changed since he received all the racist hate mail while he was going for the batting record. Now, in essence, he gets new racist hate mail.

It would be nice if all the racists could be outed.

randr

(12,408 posts)
41. These are the people the NSA and Homeland Security
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 04:59 PM
Apr 2014

need to keep an eye on. A very close eye I hope.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
54. I remember listening to Milwaukee Braves games on the radio
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 05:52 PM
Apr 2014

with my dad when I was a little kid in the '50s. We lived in Milwaukee then so of course we were fans. Hank Aaron was the star player then, as far as I could tell. Because we didn't have TV yet and always listened to the games on the radio it was years and years before I learned he was black. Guess even in those days the Milwaukee fans (my family, at least) didn't care. Sounds like he's still a star, but it's sad that even after all these years he has to put up with crap from racist assholes.

Packerowner740

(676 posts)
67. I was always a Willie Mays fan but I have a ton of respect for Hank
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 10:08 PM
Apr 2014

He played for my milwaukee team back in the day.

Cha

(295,915 posts)
70. Sweetheart! Gotta consider the source.. frothing assholes who have wasted their lives
Tue Apr 15, 2014, 11:08 PM
Apr 2014

with hate because they feel so damn inferior.



Skip Intro

(19,768 posts)
73. Obama supporters have been calling Obama critics racist since 2007. At least.
Wed Apr 16, 2014, 12:24 AM
Apr 2014

Even here. Still, here. It is too bad HA's comparison of the pugs to the KKK spurred an in-kind response, people on both sides do stupid things. But he did all but call the opposition party racist for merely being opposed to Obama's policies. That's bs. I have repub friends and family, some lifelong repubs. They don't dislike Obama because of his "race." I have a few Democratic friends that dislike Obama as well. Still, no discernible racism. But then again, I'm not gifted to see it everywhere. What tells me HA's assertion that the gop's opposition to Obama's efforts is racist (let's quell all dissent, shall we?), is that the gop went after Clinton in a far worse fashion than they've gone after Obama. Was that race-based too?

 

Adenoid_Hynkel

(14,093 posts)
76. Good work, FOX and rightwing media! You've set us back 40 years
Wed Apr 16, 2014, 12:46 AM
Apr 2014

You've ratcheted up racial hatred and paranoia about our president to the point that things look exactly like they did when Aaron got hate mail from southern rednecks in 1974.

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