Grant Hill writes that 'Uncle Tom' criticism from the Fab Five 'insulting and ignorant'
Former Duke star Grant Hill, who played against Michigan's Fab Five in the national title game in 1992, is not a fan of the ESPN documentary "Fab Five."
Hill took on comments from Jalen Rose in the documentary that Duke only recruited black "Uncle Tom" players in an article on the New York Times "The Quad" blog.
From Hill's blog post:
My teammates at Duke - all of them, black and white - were a band of brothers who came together to play at the highest level for the best coach in basketball. I know most of the black players who preceded and followed me at Duke. They all contribute to our tradition of excellence on the court.It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race.
Comments
The Ben
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.
Grant Hill is being way over-sensitive and taking himself too seriously. He probably knows deep-down that Jalen was merely being honest about thoughts that he had as a TEENAGER. But it's probably a lot more fun to throw a hissy-fit and use it as an opportunity to talk about his background. If he truly wanted to take the high road, Grant would have said, "While Jalen was off-base, I can understand how a young man might have felt that way. It sounds like he faced a lot of challenges in his youth that I was fortunate not to have faced."
johnnya2
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
There are some major disparities as to the way people at Duke are treated as opposed to most basketball schools. One shining example is the Jamaal Crawford situation. Carlos Boozer had a very similar situation with a family friend and it was not considered bad, but at UM it was. Duke players are called "intelligent" or "smart" or "well-coached". The Fab Five and the like are called "athletically gifted" , "talented". For some reason there is this belief that Coach K takes Division 3 players at Duke and makes them winners. Check on the McDonalds All-Americans at Duke. Grant Hill has never had a tough day in his life., He was born into money and had the easy route in life.
southyoop
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
Therein lies a large part of the problem. Why is it that successful African-Americans are vilified/demonized? Grant Hill was "born" into money? How did that occur? Because of opportunities taken, potential realized? It's a bit disingenuous to say that somehow he had an "easy route". Isn't he a shining example of the possibilities for advancement in the USA? He is the blood of people who were given a chance and capitalized on it. Why is that wrong? Probably the same reason that people such as Clarence Thomas, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, etc etc are not admired. Because they don't "speak the language", come on? Perhaps if those people were looked upon as beacons of what was possible versus "Uncle Toms", things might be a lot better for everyone.
NewStart
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
I think anyone with a similar background to Jalin Rose would take great pleasure in winning against a group with a more "fortunate" background and these comments about Grant Hill reflected their sentiment at the time, however I thought that the trash talk period the Fab Five had was irredeemable and unjustifiable . I am just curious if they ever learned anything from the University of Michigan off court, as a center of higher learning and civility. Apparently not. Interesting local historic sports story, for sure.
Rake2204
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:19 p.m.
I felt the point Grant Hill made was quite valid, if not misguided. Like others have mentioned, it was my feeling that the "Uncle Tom" statement Rose made was in reference to how "Young Jalen" was feeling at that moment. Now, some have noticed Jalen Rose and Jimmy King's appearance on ESPN's First and Ten where they were once again confronted in regards to Duke's recruiting strategies (their apparent reluctance to recruit inner-cities). People have then used this interview as a means of confirming that Jalen still stands by his "Uncle Tom" comments. I believe quite the contrary. While Jalen fully admits he still believes Duke looks to recruit a specific type of player (which I feel is Duke's right), he does not seem to hold true to his "Uncle Tom" comments. In fact, when questioned, Jalen Rose admitted his kids may be theoretically recruited by Duke, even if an 18 year old Jalen still wouldn't. Connecting the dots, I believe Jalen has developed an understanding of certain aspects of the world. And as a millionaire athlete with children who are now very well off, I don't think Jalen feels his children are henceforth "Uncle Toms." I'm actually quite surprised this has received as much media attention as it has. It seemed so clear to me in the documentary that Jalen was merely reflecting on what he and his teammates were feeling at that time (1991). It was honest. It was real. It was how a lot of people with a rough upbringing felt. As a seventeen or eighteen year old with no father figure and a family scraping to survive, who was going to tell Jalen any truth about the upperclass? You know what would have been more surprising? If Jalen came out and declared he held no ill-will toward any Duke players at that time. If I grew up like Jalen, I would have been awfully bitter as well. And I can be certain a lot of that bitterness would be misplaced.
Gwhizz
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
That Grant Hill is insulted by being called "Uncle Tom" is just as indicative of his ignorance as it is of Jalen Rose's. The character of "Uncle Tom" accepted that his lot in life was excessively limited, but persevered and gained a grudging respect from others. What is shameful is that it is perceived as weakness to carry oneself with dignity, even when one is persecuted. Jalen Rose's perception of who "Uncle Tom" was and Grant Hill's reaction to be categorized as an "Uncle Tom", present irrefutable proof that neither individual ever bothered to read the book "Uncle Tom's Cabin"; and if either did read the book, they definitely did not comprehend it.
Rake2204
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
I definitely understand what you're saying, but sometimes a phrase's meaning veers from its origin. I have to think "Uncle Tom" fits that mold. Somehow, someway, that phrase has come to be used as a negative connotation. Teenage Jalen Rose was certainly not using it as a term of endearment and Grant Hill recognized and fully understood that.
Lisa
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
I agree w/ all who have noted that Jalen Rose was simply relaying his thoughts as a 19 year old kid. And I think to get up in arms about it is to either not have heard his entire statement regarding his thoughts, or to have ignored the rationale Rose offered to explain his thoughts.
The1Cool
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Forever and David: Exactly what I was going to post. I remember hating Duke for the same reasons, though I wouldn't have called them "Uncle Toms". I think I was in 4th or 5th grade.
Forever27
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Rose was talking about his feelings as an 18/19 year old kid. He was resentful for his place in society and felt that people such as Grant Hill benefited at the expense of those such as himself.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
Yep. There is a HUGE difference in the way 19 year old Jalen Rose thought and how the current 38 year old Jalen Rose would think. A lot of people don't get that. I am sure that if you asked Jalen Rose his feelings NOW for the Duke Blue Devils, it would not be the same answer as asking what he thought back during the Fab Five days. I am turning 36 next week. I am sure that there are a lot of things that the 36 year old me and the 18-19 year old me would adamantly disagree about. Maturity changes many opinions. After reading Grant Hill's entire response to the documentary, I think he falls into the category of people who cannot separate now from 1992. It seemed like he was addressing it like he believes Jalen Rose was talking about his current feelings, rather than what they were back then.
TC
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
Jalen Rose is an embarrassment to the university.