(Man, if I only had a dollar for everyone who still doesn’t know the difference between “your” and “you’re”. But that’s another story…)

Are you kidding me? People are actually criticizing ESPN for this? I read the Haiti column several times over – whatever Mr. Shirley’s intent was in writing it, the piece as written comes across as ignorant, arrogant and just plain offensive. I’m not the least bit surprised that ESPN (or any other media outlet, for that matter) wouldn’t want to employ the person who wrote it. Either Paul Shirley really is a cold-hearted, insensitive bigot, or he was just trying to play devil’s advocate (the old “just trying to make people think” excuse) and failed miserably. Either way, there’s nothing absurd about ESPN letting him go.

This one was brilliant.

I was initially taken back by the cold lack of decency the Haiti article was cloaked in. However, I appreciate your being willing to talk about hard topics honestly. How long will most people care about Haiti, and how much will they really do? Myself included, bleeding heart I am. Something much more exciting will come up, probably around the time a Jersey Shore sex tape comes out, and people will go back to forgetting about where Haiti is.

Sadly, I think our society has decided “Fuck Haiti”. We did a long time ago, and we’ll get back to it soon enough. Your article is merely emblematic of that philosophy, albeit fleshed out with 4000 more words. I would be surprised if people didn’t react like they did. This makes them feel better.

I’m disappointed in your view on Haiti, but I think it’s simply a reflection of the essential American ethos, and maybe even human nature. We’re all fine with everyone else’s suffering, so long as we’re fat and happy- after all, we rationalize that we deserve it, because we have worked for it. But honestly, did I deserve to be born in America to college-educated parents as opposed to a Haitian prostitute?

I wish we had evolved to a state where the suffering of others caused us to in act in ways to improve the lives of others. Sadly, we haven’t.

Enjoy your work, even if I disagree with you. Thanks for writing.

I read your whole Haiti piece and was offended by the disgusting and demeaning language in it. You hid valid points under a sea of racially and economically loaded words. My overall reaction (and anger) to your piece was your complete lack of cultural, economic, or historic elements in relation to the plight of Haitians, and poverty stricken people across the globe.

I do agree with your point that many people only read snippets of your article and thus did not judge it properly. Two things about that; first if you don’t want to have your message misconstrued don’t use “shock language” like ever other blogger out there. I understand your article wasn’t about “using a condom,” but it’s also hard to get back such crass, BS language. Secondly, I truly don’t think opinions of your article would be altered significantly if the entire article was written.

…. I remember hearing a story you told once about riding in a car with jannero pargo after a Bull’s practice… he asked you if you had any kids and you were incensed…. I read your Haiti column and remembered your attitude towards what you perceived to be ignorant NBA players having children… You are placing blame on other people now, but their skin color hasn’t changed.

As a reader that has been reading your ups and downs since shortly after you turned in that Phoenix uniform, I will not be jumping off now. I appreciate your thought provoking writing and humor. On top of that, I feel almost indebted to you for all of the excellent music recommendations that you have passed along (Phoenix & Passion Pit especially).

-S Sykes

Go away. Your 15 minutes are up. Time to pack it in.

Sincerely,
the rest of the world

couldn’t be said any better paul. great job with this essay. now, i think i’m supposed to comment somewhere here about what a terrible human being you are, right?

really used to enjoy your music articles on ESPN…but you wrote about the piracy issue here a month ago or so? would love to see an alternate view on that, which contends music is marketing…different business model. and how the internet has changed the distribution of music to the (not so) mainstream….kind of in line with this article, actually.

anyways…ever read albini’s take on the music industry? http://www.negativland.com/albini.html what the internet has ruined and limited to sensationalism and opinions, i think it has also liberated and empowered musicians and artists to be much more self reliant. kind of off topic, but it’s a huge passion of mine.

enough rambling…thanks for the essay.