What is the difference between cancel culture and suffering consequences? The line that separates the two is a fine one in some people’s eyes. For others, it may not even exist. That is at the heart of this piece put together by two BSM columnists, Ian Casselberry and Garrett Searight.
The conversation is appropriate coming off of a week that saw Ben Mintz fired from Barstool and Glen Kuiper suspended by the Oakland A’s, both for using the same racial slur. Neither one seemed to do it intentionally, but they both absolutely did it.
Let’s get one thing straight up top. This is not a debate about whether or not there is any situation in which a white guy should be able to get away with saying the N-word. There absolutely is not and to try and argue otherwise is absurd.
This debate is about how much intent matters when you do something deemed offensive and what punishment fits the crime in an age when there is always someone that sees any consequence for any offense as a case of cancel culture run amok.
THERE HAS TO BE A LINE SOMEWHERE by Garrett Searight
I would argue there are three words that broadcasters can’t say and subsequently recover from. For decency’s sake, I won’t type them here, but let’s just say Thom Brennaman, Marly Rivera, and now Ben Mintz and Glen Kuiper know what they are.
Many people have argued that Kuiper wasn’t trying to say the word, it’s just what came out. I agree. I think we all know what Kuiper was trying to say, but what he actually said is a problem. And maybe not even the biggest problem. The most concerning problem with what he said was the ease with which it came out, and how little reaction saying the word caused, not only for him, but for Dallas Braden as well.
I don’t want to jump to conclusions, because I don’t think that’s fair or right. However, the way in which Kuiper said what he said would lead me to believe it’s not the first time he’s referred to the museum that way.
The language used by Kuiper elicits a reaction when it’s said and heard. It is jarring. Not because of the hate it is usually spoken with, but because — luckily — it has seen a diminished use in a decent society. So for neither Kuiper nor Braden to react in any manner as a racial slur was said makes me question the word’s prevalence. And that’s what brings me to Ben Mintz, known as “Mintzy” at Barstool.
Mintzy had the exact opposite reaction to that of Kuiper. After reading the word aloud, a look of sheer terror crossed his face. You’ve likely seen the screenshot of his face in the immediate aftermath of his words. In my estimation, it wasn’t a look of “Oh my god, I’m going to get canceled” as much as it was a look of “I can’t believe I just said that word out loud.”
I believe everyone involved in the Barstool situation. I believe Dave Portnoy, Erika Nardini, and Big Cat fought to keep Mintzy. I believe Mintzy was genuinely remorseful for saying the word and putting those people in that situation. PENN Entertainment — the parent company of Barstool — probably believes that its gambling licenses could be at stake unless it took immediate and swift action. It’s truly an unfortunate circumstance.
I don’t know what to believe with Kuiper. I generally think people deserve the benefit of the doubt. When I watched the clip for the first time, I cringed, but didn’t think “Oh man, that came out easy.” But the more you watch it, the more inescapable that feeling becomes.
Announcers misspeak all the time. Heck, last week Philadelphia Phillies announcer Kevin Stocker tried to say the sentence “A Johnson Controls Dick Allen bobblehead figurine.” The words did not come out of his mouth in that order. After stumbling, he backtracked, tried again, and finished before he and his partner — Scott Franzke — laughed about it. Now, obviously, Kuiper’s slip wouldn’t be something to joke about after the fact, but if the word — a word that jarring — was said and he didn’t even notice he said it? That doesn’t lend itself, in my eyes, to getting the benefit of the doubt.
From Kuiper’s aspect, I think a suspension is certainly warranted. Has he worked his final game as the voice of the A’s? Potentially. Maybe even probably. Again, there are three words you just can’t say on the air.
However, in Mintzy’s case, it isn’t about cancel culture or the consequences of his actions. It’s about capitalism. Unknowingly, Mintzy did the one thing you can’t afford to do in 2023, and that’s mess with the bottom line. Before it was completely acquired by PENN, Barstool could have weathered the storm of initial pushback and outrage. But PENN makes its fortune from holding gambling licenses in various states, and it has to protect them at all costs.
HOW ABOUT A CHANCE TO MAKE AMENDS? by Ian Casselberry
Glen Kuiper had to be suspended by the Oakland Athletics. As Garrett said above, there are some things that you simply cannot say on a broadcast. Part of working as a professional in the industry is holding what you say on the air to a high standard.
Kuiper failed in that regard when he said a racial slur at the beginning of Friday night’s game broadcast of the A’s facing the Kansas City Royals. There is no defense for saying the N-word on the air. And there must be repercussions for doing so.
Yet the question is how severe those consequences must be. Less than 24 hours later, Kuiper was suspended by NBC Sports California for an indefinite period while the incident is reviewed. He is being punished for what he did. The decision was swift and it had to be for such a serious matter.
However, Kuiper should not lose his job for this. I realize some people will view Kuiper’s actions with zero tolerance. Maybe that’s ultimately how this will go, as it did with Ben Mintz and Barstool Sports.
And maybe that’s correct. As a white person living in privilege, perhaps I don’t have the best view of this, even if I feel that I understand how deeply hurtful and offensive the word in question is. I’m aware that this could be framed as “Columnist defends broadcaster saying N-word.” Or worse, “Ian Casselberry defends broadcaster saying N-word.”
I’m not defending what Kuiper did. He said the word you simply cannot say. But doesn’t intent matter? Or shouldn’t it? No, we don’t know Kuiper’s true feelings on the matter and I won’t argue against those who believe that the word coming out of his mouth at all is troubling. He wasn’t reading the word, as Mintz was in his now-infamous video.
Yet consider the full context of Kuiper’s introductory remarks. He was raving about the day that he and broadcast partner Dallas Braden had in Kansas City, visiting the Negro Leagues Museum and Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque. Is it not possible that Kuiper was telling himself to be careful with his words and what he was trying so hard not to say slipped out?
Again, some will argue that not saying the N-word should be such a great effort. I agree with that. But trying to clearly articulate on a live mic doesn’t always happen, even for professionals. Kuiper didn’t help himself with his “I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than I meant it to be said” apology, however.
(Also, to those faulting Braden for not reacting, what exactly was he supposed to do? Stop and yell, “HOLY GEEZ, GLEN, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” What if he chuckled and said, “Oops, I think you said something you didn’t mean to say, partner.” That wouldn’t have gone over well. Maybe he was trying to process hearing what he thought he heard. Maybe he was thinking “the show must go on.”)
It’s meaningful that Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, saw how excited Kuiper was to be at the institution and believes he should be forgiven for what happened. Legendary A’s pitcher Dave Stewart, who’s known Kuiper for years, also vouched for the broadcaster, saying that he made “an unfortunate mistake” and deserves a second chance.
Again, Kuiper and Mintz should suffer consequences for their actions. He’s been suspended, while Mintz was fired. This is something that could be associated with them for the rest of their careers as it lives forever on social media and the internet at large. Both of them have to live with that. Kuiper may lose his job as Mintz did. But there should be a path back for them to make amends. Don’t we still have room for compassion when it’s warranted?
