“One’ Man’s Opinion” by Gordon Curvey

This morning I was listening to 710 ESPN in my car and AGAIN I understand why more African Americans and people of color are needed on sports radio here in Seattle and the U.S.

I was listening to Mike Salk on 710 and the discussion turned to trash talking by Richard Sherman in the past and in the game and post game against Washington where the Seahawks won 27-17 in D.C. before around 90,000 and a nationwide Monday night football audience. Salk and the other fellas just could not understand why Sherman trash talks.

One caller called in and was right on time with his explanation as to why Sherman (and others) talk smack on the field and off. The caller said Sherman is from the hood, the inner city where African Americans are in Compton. That is the why many of us talk in the hood the inner city.

So it is as obvious as two left shoes that Salk and his white counterparts DID NOT HAVE A CLUE on the African American culture and our swag and the way we operate in the inner city. Of course most of the fellas on sports radio do not spend ANY TIME IN THE HOOD OF SEATTLE OR ANY OTHER CITY! Do they hang out at Garfield or Rainier Beach Community Center? Miller Community Center? Do they go to a Garfield or Franklin or Rainier Beach football game of basketball game in the Central Area or Rainier Valley? No. Have they ever been to a African American church like the church I grew up at Mt. Zion Baptist Church? Most likely NO!

Has Mike Salk or his crew every been to the inner city of Oakland or Compton or the South Side of Chicago or the 5th Ward in Houston? No. Sherman and Marshawn Lynch are from the hood, the inner city. We talk different there!!! Sorry to say the white hosts like Salk just do not understand the African American culture. It hurt to listen to Salk and crew “trying” to explain Richard Sherman comments. Trying to understand his comments. Trying to understand why Sherman talks stuff after the games etc.

I was wondering if I was in Vermont or South Dakota or Utah listening to 710 this morning. It was crazy. Again this is why more diversity is needed on sports radio. 710 to it’s credit has put on a show that comes on at noon every Saturday called “The Barbershop” with former Seattle Seahawk and Tacoma, Washington’s own Marcus Trufant and his crew. They are trying to show the listeners how African Americans and people of color act when we are chillin at the local barbershop. So I have to give a shout out to 710 for allowing this program on the air. I hope folks will listen to “The Barbershop”

Watch “Sports Inner City Television” hosted by Gordon Curvey. Urban sports news and issues and sports interviews coming at ya from the home of the Seattle Seahawks..Seattle, Washington!