[martyup]

I think there are two issues here.  The first is whether someone at the NFL should have leaked the emails, which are years old, and were made before Gruden was employed as a coach.  This reeks as a targeted and vindictive move.  But it is also possible, I suppose, that someone legitimately was offended, and that their assessment of "who Gruden is" is different from some posters here.  It is somewhat disturbing that someone can project a certain persona in public, and then thinking something is private, lets loose on a pattern of racial and homophobic slurs.

The second question is, given that the emails were released, what should be done.  I believe in grace; we are all human, and someone who made racial slurs years ago who is genuinely sorry and takes steps to atone, shouldn't be completely shunned.  Of course, that is easier for someone like me to say, given that I was not the target of his slurs, and I can imagine a lot of people are sick and tired of performative apologies. The key, however, is the word "genuine", and I can see how some people might be very cynical of anything that publicly expresses regret over privately shared offensive content.  I don't know Gruden; so it is hard for me to say.

More broadly, given that we have to live together, I favor both it being socially unacceptable to routinely use slurs against anyone (even seemingly in private), but also in showing grace to those who have done so and have worked to overcome whatever animus may have motivated it.

BC

It would be easier to justify the harsh treatment of the offending individuals in these cases if racist, sexist, and homophobic lyrics weren't prevalent in pop urban music and in the daily social interaction of the complaining demographic group.  I play basketball regularly with a bunch of mixed race players of all ages and I can say that the "N" word is used by African Americans far more than I've ever heard it used by white folks.  

BC, I agree with you "showing grace" position.  We should hire Gruden as our OC.

[martyup]

I think there are two issues here.  The first is whether someone at the NFL should have leaked the emails, which are years old, and were made before Gruden was employed as a coach.  This reeks as a targeted and vindictive move.  But it is also possible, I suppose, that someone legitimately was offended, and that their assessment of "who Gruden is" is different from some posters here.  It is somewhat disturbing that someone can project a certain persona in public, and then thinking something is private, lets loose on a pattern of racial and homophobic slurs.

The second question is, given that the emails were released, what should be done.  I believe in grace; we are all human, and someone who made racial slurs years ago who is genuinely sorry and takes steps to atone, shouldn't be completely shunned.  Of course, that is easier for someone like me to say, given that I was not the target of his slurs, and I can imagine a lot of people are sick and tired of performative apologies. The key, however, is the word "genuine", and I can see how some people might be very cynical of anything that publicly expresses regret over privately shared offensive content.  I don't know Gruden; so it is hard for me to say.

More broadly, given that we have to live together, I favor both it being socially unacceptable to routinely use slurs against anyone (even seemingly in private), but also in showing grace to those who have done so and have worked to overcome whatever animus may have motivated it.

BC

It would be easier to justify the harsh treatment of the offending individuals in these cases if racist, sexist, and homophobic lyrics weren't prevalent in pop urban music and in the daily social interaction of the complaining demographic group.  I play basketball regularly with a bunch of mixed race players of all ages and I can say that the "N" word is used by African Americans far more than I've ever heard it used by white folks.  

BC, I agree with you "showing grace" position.  We should hire Gruden as our OC.