The Education of Chad Ochocinco

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco got schooled recently but not on the football field.

Football star Chad Ochocinco recently got into a bit of Twitter heat for tweeting that he was reading conservative blogger Glenn Beck’s book “Broke.”

He tweeted the following:

“Gotten through 3 chapters in @glennbeck book and so far everything he’s said is either common or his opinion based off research.”

“I don’t agree with a lot of this s— but nonetheless its interesting reading the views n opinions from what I’d like to call the other side.”

(...)

Therefore upon sending out the tweets, Ochocinco was heavily criticized by followers—some even un-followed him.

One follower responded: “unfollowing [you] after two years because you’re a Beck fan. Disgraceful and disappointing.”

(...)

Since when did [black people] put a limitation on whose book we could read, or what types of books we are entitled to read? It is a very sad day in modern America when a Black man is ostracized for reading a book. Seems very reminiscent to the days of slavery when Blacks privately read (for purposes of knowledge) in hopes that the slave master wouldn’t catch them, or worse.

Right.  In the days of American slavery, it was often legally forbidden to teach a slave to read and those who did so were punished with jail time or worse--along with their students.  Refusing to follow the Twitter feed of an athlete who reads certain books is a response clearly not in the league of the legal proscriptions of the Bad Old Days. However, the mentality is identical. The person displaying either response has one goal in mind: control. 

"Do what I want or I'll kill you."

"Do what I want or I'll ostracize you."

One wonders how many black people are no longer fans of Mr. Ochocinco due to his reading material.  I'm sure that the number would blow the lid off the irony caldron. 

Side note: I'm just happy to see a pro-athlete reading anything.  I might send him a copy of my book; a little football, a little love--I'm sure he'd love it. :)

Comments

[KingShamus]

Prediction: Ochocinco will do well in New England; say 8-10 touchdowns, 900 yards receiving. I despise Bill Bellichek, but he's a better coach than Marvin Lewis.

As for reading Glenn Beck, Chad is on the right track, but he'd do even better if he cracked open "The Road To Serfdom".

[baldilocks]

I'm just bold enough to suggest it to him. Sounds like he might have a brain in his head.

I have been boycotting the NFL for a number of years, but I might start watching again this season.

[Azygos]

My first thought was Ochocinco can read? I'm not a Beck fan as I don't like his style of writing nor do I listen to his juvenile radio antics. But good on Chad for reading a book he says he does not agree with. That shows some maturity.

[Kwongdzu]

I am impressed that Mr. Ochocinco has some intellectual curiosity and isn't just another Obamazombie. Whatever conclusions he draws from what he reads, at least they will be his own!!!

[Madalyn]

Would those twitterers have the same reaction if he had been reading "Dreams of my Father" or how about reading saul Alinsky? These people that were following him on twitter appear to be very narrow-minded. At least Chad is open to learning new things.

[Casey]

One wonders how many commenters would still be so charitable towards Ochocinco if he retained a strong-left POV? :)

Still the main point of the original post is quite valid; mind control via public shaming (or any other route) is despicable by any standard.

...Was going to crack a funny about "Ochocino," only to find out that 85 really is his player number, not to mention he was once Chad Johnson, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals. That man kicked buttocks and took names; one hopes he may return to that level of performance in the future.

[Gunga]

Chad Ochocinco is BLACK!?!

[ThatDeborahGirl]

Why, because a black guy who's a professional football player obviously can't read? We never see these types of assumptions about white players literacy or lack thereof, only about black ones and I'm sick of it. The remainder of your comment does not make up for the initial comment.

You are an ass.

[baldilocks]

Easy on the name-calling in my "house." Thanks.

And if you were talking to me, I wrote a novel which featured both black and white football players as smart and literate. Know something about the person to whom you are talking before showing your own ass in public.

[baldilocks]

BTW, it is well-known that primary, secondary and collegiate educators under-serve their black and Hispanic charges, often promoting them to graduation without insuring that they have mastered basic reading, writing and computing skills, as this debacle demonstrates. Athletes are often the primary victims of this self-serving trend.

It says a lot that you would accuse someone of racism because that person is surprised at the relative erudition of one particular athlete who happens to be black. It says a lot about you.

[ThatDeborahGirl]

First off - no, I was not addressing you. I replied to the comment I was addressing. It even says at the beginning of the comment...

"ThatDeborahGirl said in reply to Azygos..."

Secondly, I am aware that athletes have the reputation of being "all brawn and no brain". I'm also aware that this stereotype tends to label black athletes moreso than white ones and I have never seen anyone accuse a white player of being illiterate.

Obviously Chad Johnson can read. That your reader went the extra mile to make a point of saying that he felt Chad could possibly be illiterate...I guess I immediately question WHY that would be - other than the fact that Chad is black. Other than that, he tends to be like any other NFL player of any color: brash and arrogant. Which when you're black is seen as stupid and uppity, but when you're white is seen as smart and confident.

So yes, I take issue with his comment and yes, I feel he's an ass.