"End Racism" Removed from Superbowl Stadium End Zones--so as not to 'offend' President Trump

[Oompa Loompa]

Whatever the rationale behind the removal of the signs, the half-time show was absolutely loaded with messages and symbolism about racial subjugation.

IMO, if you want to send a message, that's how you do it, not some doofy signs.

Has anyone ever considered the possibility that the sign was removed because the team owner thought that because Trump was elected president, they no longer have to pretend to support the woke mentality out of fear of offending the woke mob?

 

[iluvatar5150]

Has anyone ever considered the possibility that the sign was removed because the team owner thought that because Trump was elected president, they no longer have to pretend to support the woke mentality out of fear of offending the woke mob?

Do I believe that, in a stadium for a team owned by a rich old white lady who harassed and made racist comments to her late husband's assistant and tried to help the Catholic church burnish its image in the wake of its abuse scandals, the reasons behind the hanging of a "end racism" sign might have been less than sincere?

Yes. Yes, I do.

 

[JSRG]

Do I believe that, in a stadium for a team owned by a rich old white lady who harassed and made racist comments to her late husbands assistant and tried to help the Catholic church burnish its image in the wake of its abuse scandals, the reasons behind the hanging of a "end racism" sign might have been less than sincere?

Yes. Yes, I do.

Looking at the page you link to, it says regarding the "racist comments":

Rodney Henry, former personal assistant to Tom Benson, filed a lawsuit accusing the New Orleans Saints and Gayle Benson of racism and violations of federal labor laws. The lawsuit claimed that Gayle Benson had treated him with disrespect because of his race. An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry and against the Saints on the labor complaint, awarding him overtime pay, a contractual payout for his dismissal, and attorney's fees; however, the same arbitrator ruled against Henry on the claims of racism.

Now, maybe the arbitrator was wrong in their judgment. But if you're going to assert that, you need to offer some evidence of this, preferably more evidence than "this guy who's suing her said she made racist comments".

I'm not sure what the mention of her defending the Catholic Church has to do with racism.

 

[ozso]

We agree on that. I have been fortunate to travel to many parts of the world, and I found one unfortunate thing common everywhere: racism and discrimination exist across all races, cultures, and societies. No single race is inherently more tolerant or more racist than another.

Historically, conservatives Americans have advocated against discriminatory practices. However, today they seek to move beyond this legacy. This shift is not because they believe racism no longer exists, but because they feel that in some segments of American society, blame is disproportionately placed on Caucasians. Some American societal perspectives, particularly among some educated elites at universities, suggest that many of the world's problems, oppression, and injustices over the past 1000 years have been caused by Europeans. This viewpoint also includes the belief that Caucasians are inherently racist. However, this perspective often does not address racism present in other cultures and races. As a result many conservative see fight against racism is a attack on white.

This is one instance where it's the right that wants to move forward, and the left that wants to keep going backwards and have a perpetual 1970s race war going.

 

[rambot]

I think it is racist to assume that black people are the only people capable of being victims of racism.

I didn't come close to saying that though and you assumed that about what I said. I fully support the idea that anyone can be racist.

I experienced racism when I lived in South korea

But I believe that racism in this country is not as big of an issue that Democrats are leading on.

I can understand that.

In the top 100 things that this country should worry about, white supremacy is not on my list.

I truly would be curious what 99 things above it. I could see maybe not even being top 20...but 100?

 

[rambot]

. Some American societal perspectives, particularly among some educated elites at universities, suggest that many of the world's problems, oppression, and injustices over the past 1000 years have been caused by Europeans.

while some believe explicitly that, most just believe that when you present a curriculum on european history it's really important to acknowledge thr tremendous amount of bloodshed starvation and mistreatment our European forefather caused. These facts cannot be denied.

Whole cultures were decimated out, wiped out on purpose, by design or with a nudge. Thievery and disrespect were markers. Terribly racist thoughts developed and they other cultures were devalued. Other people killed foer their religion.

As little kids we can be taught to celebrate our culture's successes but as young adults its important for people to hear our full story.

This viewpoint also includes the belief that Caucasians are inherently racist.

Mostly that a lot of our cultures succes was built on racist beliefs that some people were just fundamentally worth less because of the colour of their skin (or their religion). A lot of wealth gets generated (and centralized) when a culture accepts that.

We had problems with it in canada too...our head tax and all.

Also my understanding is that everyone is inherently racist and everyone has to work against that.

However, this perspective often does not address racism present in other cultures and races. As a result many conservative see fight against racism is a attack on white.

 

[Bradskii]

I truly would be curious what 99 things above it.

Price of eggs. Renaming the Gulf. Paper straws. Stopping people eating pets. Buying Greenland. Preventing having to flush the toilet 15 times. Working out an outline of a concept of a plan for health care. Building a resort for 'world people' in Gaza. Pardoning convicted criminals. Building a prison for 3,000 people in Guantanamo Bay. Selling bibles. Stopping aid to those in need. Joining that select group of counties - Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Libya, Angola, Sudan, Yemen and Eritrea in denying climate change, saving whales by banning wind farms...

Should I continue?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Nope, just back a few years before radical liberalism got out of control.

The "radical liberalism" I see looks a lot like the "radical liberalism" of MLK Jr.

-CryptoLutheran (I've actually read and listened to MLK beyond "I Have a Dream")

 

[ViaCrucis]

Nope, just back a few years before radical liberalism got out of control.

What about hyper-reactionary conservatism? I remember when what MAGA stands for wouldn't have been tolerated by conservatives. Especially conservative Christians.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Michie]

What songs did Kendrick Lamar perform at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show?​

1. "GNX (Teaser)"
2. "Squabble Up"
3. "Humble."
4. "DNA"
5. "Euphoria"
6. "Man at the Garden"
7. "Peekaboo"
8. "Luther"
9. "All the Stars"
10. "Not Like Us"
11. "TV Off"

Every song Kendrick Lamar performed during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show

The Grammy-winning rapper entertained fans during halftime of the big game in New Orleans.

www.today.com

 

[Pommer]

Then you should have recognised it as satire. And not confused it with sarcasm.

Truth be told, I often craft my posts to be both sarcastic & satirical and, (one would hope, entertaining, by a rousing game of “try to understand this “kook” because once in a (great) while he gets one correct” (four, I counted).
Upwards of 60% get my own ax, believe me.

 

[Pommer]

Has anyone ever considered the possibility that the sign was removed because the team owner thought that because Trump was elected president, they no longer have to pretend to support the woke mentality out of fear of offending the woke mob?

I do believe the league and the owners, were always free to do what they wanted to do with regards to slogans and such public displays of their social-values.
It’s just odd that they decided this change, now, at the end of the Season, (not that they can’t) it’s their monopoly to play with, after all.

Had they waited until next season, people wouldn’t be speculating over the decision and they’ve “Streisanded” themselves.

 

[Bradskii]

Truth be told, I often craft my posts to be both sarcastic & satirical and, (one would hope, entertaining, by a rousing game of “try to understand this “kook” because once in a (great) while he gets one correct” (four, I counted).
Upwards of 60% get my own ax, believe me.

I do like Wilde's quote that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. But the highest form of intelligence. And having grown up in the UK I think that satire is in the dna for most of us from there. They do say that Americans don't do satire very well. But that's probably true for Australians as well (notable exceptions like Barry Humphries [Dame Edna] excepted).

 

[MrMoe]

So when you don't see signs that say 'End racism' that's when you'll know there's no problem to highlight. It'll be when people say 'What's that sign for?' As opposed to 'I object to that sign'.

Since racism will always exist, what would it no longer being a problem look like?

 

[Pommer]

Looking at the page you link to, it says regarding the "racist comments":

Rodney Henry, former personal assistant to Tom Benson, filed a lawsuit accusing the New Orleans Saints and Gayle Benson of racism and violations of federal labor laws. The lawsuit claimed that Gayle Benson had treated him with disrespect because of his race. An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry and against the Saints on the labor complaint, awarding him overtime pay, a contractual payout for his dismissal, and attorney's fees; however, the same arbitrator ruled against Henry on the claims of racism.

Now, maybe the arbitrator was wrong in their judgment. But if you're going to assert that, you need to offer some evidence of this, preferably more evidence than "this guy who's suing her said she made racist comments".

I'm not sure what the mention of her defending the Catholic Church has to do with racism.

An arbitration decision is legally binding, these almost never get appealed and two inches closer to never to be overturned…but one could have been found to utter racist epithets without it affecting the judgement.

I’d have to read the decision before I’d go one way or t’other.

 

[Pommer]

Since racism will always exist, what would it no longer being a problem look like?

Doesn’t look like we’re ever going to find out, huh?

 

[rambot]

Price of eggs. Renaming the Gulf. Paper straws. Stopping people eating pets. Buying Greenland. Preventing having to flush the toilet 15 times. Working out an outline of a concept of a plan for health care. Building a resort for 'world people' in Gaza. Pardoning convicted criminals. Building a prison for 3,000 people in Guantanamo Bay. Selling bibles. Stopping aid to those in need. Joining that select group of counties - Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Libya, Angola, Sudan, Yemen and Eritrea in denying climate change, saving whales by banning wind farms...

Should I continue?

I'm actually a little bit hurt you didn't say "subjugate Canada".

 

[Bradskii]

Since racism will always exist, what would it no longer being a problem look like?

It'll look like when someone finds out that there used to be a civil rights movement and they are puzzled about why it happened. Maybe not in my grandchildren's time. But maybe the great grandchildren.

 

[ozso]

What about hyper-reactionary conservatism? I remember when what MAGA stands for wouldn't have been tolerated by conservatives. Especially conservative Christians.

-CryptoLutheran

What are you saying MAGA stands for, outside of a slogan also used by Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton?

 

[Pommer]

I do like Wilde's quote that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. But the highest form of intelligence. And having grown up in the UK I think that satire is in the dna for most of us from there. They do say that Americans don't do satire very well. But that's probably true for Australians as well (notable exceptions like Barry Humphries [Dame Edna] excepted).

Oh, no, we have elevated satire out of the theatre and have placed it, front-and-center at the Helm of our Ship of State, don’t you know?