Nothing in his tweets suggested homophobia and GLAAD in my honest opinion, is overreacting… again… as usual. What’s pissing me off though is the main people complaining about how he’s discriminating and promoting violence/hatred towards gays are calling him out of his name, attacking his wife, attacking his religion and throwing out n!gger, ape, monkey, “biscuit negro” and all kinds of other ***….

GLADD should be apologizing to Roland. They took advantage of his jokes (albeit, his unfunny jokes) to make stock political talking points at his reputation’s expense.�
Roland didn’t mention homosexuals and he most certainly didn’t suggest inflicted bodily trauma to homosexuals. So how dare they accuse him of supporting gay-bashing? I don’t see how anyone could jump to the libelous conclusions that GLAAD and other separate homosexual activists landed on.

You have a history of anti-LGBT remarks in humor and reacting to given situations in the media.  This is not an isolated incident.  If only you understood your own privilege in this matter.  I think this is a larger CNN issue when it comes to sensitivity and awareness training of its employees on LGB and T issues.  I find this outrageous that you would even consider this to be a joke or funny (or as you say in jest).   There are too many youth committing suicide because how they are treated as LGBT. You should have known better.

A number of organizations considered Roland’s remarks to be anti-LGBT.  They were heterosexist and negative.  Sharon Lettman of the National Black Justice Coalition stated in quite succinctly:  “Even if he meant it in a jovial manner, Roland Martin’s words carry a real impact on the everyday lives of Black LGBT people, especially our youth,” says Sharon Lettman, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s largest black LGBT civil rights organization. “Given the number of rash murders, attacks and violent acts involving LGBT people of color, we cannot let statements such as this go unchecked. Silence is a form of acceptance and only perpetuates the problem.”

If you are lying at least make it credible. You meant those tweets in a homophobic way and you are regretting it because you never realized the LGBT community would call you out on it. 

Babbling about soccer is silly as that was not the context you made the comments in. If you say “I was drunk and I hate gay people” … we understand that –  but don’t lie. Your past  posts speak for themselves.  2006? Yeah saw it. 

I will continue, as a gay person of color, to ask for your removal from CNN.

If it were the lone statement, I could consider it jest but it’s not a lone statement. The defense of Tracy Morgan’s sickening stand up routine in which he stated he would stab his gay son to death. Really? Mr. Martin should know better.

I agree that GLAAD is as opportunistic and ineffectual an organization as they come but it doesn’t excuse a track-record which suggests a hophobic stance.

Also, I don’t understand why an image of a scantily-clad David Beckham aroused a response in the first place. I’m a gay man and didn’t think twice about the ad, yet, Mr. Martin was jarred into a response. Hmmm…

Just because the dialog is formed in the context of a joke does not make it any less offensive.  How many racist comments are formed in the context of jokes? The fact of the matter is this: the personal is political.

We have to be very careful how we use our language and also how we use our comedy. Roland was on the defensive ever since the comments were made.  From the get, he needed to be a “real bruh” and recognize his mistake and apologize. I’ve followed him for a while now, and he consistently pushes for a dangerous kind of patriarchal masculinity.

 I think the intentionality of his statements is irrelevant. That is, if he meant it to be homophobic or not, the statements still were. Point blank.

Furthermore…I’m SO tired of GLAAD jumping on any chance to get the spotlight. Trying to ruin’s someone reputation and career without reason…they’re the real bullies in this situation. There are people that are bullied-straight, black, white, nerds, short people, fat people…gay people are not the only people who are bullied, and not EVERYTHING is an attempt to do so. And IDK why his wife has been brought into this. It is NOT homophobic or bullying to be a Christian and be against homosexuality, as long as you respect people and love them. As a minister, that is her right and duty if that is what she believes. Just as Christians should be loving and accepting and respectful of gay people, gay people should be respectful of Christian’s beliefs about the subject based on their faith. And while I do have many VERY close gay friends, so I do not in any way tolorate homophobia, trying to make an example out of someone who did nothing wrong is NOT the way to bring light to that.

I am so darn glad the air is cleared because no way did I believe for a minute Roland to be enciting violence against gays or anyone, for that matter.  If it hasn’t been noted, TWEETS and SOUNDBITES, and even TEXT MESSAGES are NOT conversations of “getting to know you” !
They need to be understood as simply as “Hello”, “Have a nice day!” and many such words used to anyone we meet.  There is an old joke about a man who ran into Freud on the sidewalk one day and Freud offered him a cigar.  He declined and thanked Freud but walking away thought, “I wonder what he meant by that!”  Sometimes, folks, a cigar is just a cigar.  We all do not know all the language used in all communities or families, just like we don’t all know tech language or insurance jargon.  PLEASE before acusing someone ASK them what they meant and why you felt offended.  You will be doing both yourself and the person you felt offended by a huge favor.  “Getting to Know You” does not a tweet or two make.

Stay strong Roland

See how hard it is to defend yourself against the “dog whistle”
accusation? Republicans allegedly use “dog whistle” words to express
racism. Roland Martin allegedly uses “code words” to express violent
homophobia. And, of course, nothing they do or say can disprove the accusation that they’re using code words to support bigotry.

Can we get rid of the “dog whistle politics” allegation altogether? It’s destructive and impossible to disprove.

It’s impossible to disprove, because he knew EXACTLY what he meant. Same with Republican racists.

It’s impossible to disprove, because he knew EXACTLY what he meant. Same with Republican racists

Although I was offended by the tweet, I think you’ve learned from the experience and I accept your apology.  It’s time to move on…

I highly doubt pudgy little Rotund Martin could kick the ish out of anyone.  The dude is a mental and physical midget.  

oh please he didnt say anything offensive to the gay and lesbian community. All he said was he didnt want to see a practically naked man on the television and I agree. Just like i didnt want to see that horrible commercial where the girl was trying to convince men to do something romantic for valentine’s day in her underwear like cmon. People have nothing better to do with their time and that includes the LGBT advocates. Go read a book

This just sounds like a lot of back tracking. What exactly makes a ‘real man’? Even if you’re just joking, it still perpetuates that mindset that there is only one right way to be a ‘real man’, and to be quite honest, men who make those kinds of statements or jokes are the men that I stay away from.

I find it very refreshing when a person can say, “You know what, I am wrong and I’m sorry”.  No excuses, no spin…just a sincere apology.  Unfortunately that isn’t the case here.

Martin, you have been calling for prejudice against gay people for years. You are an ignorant bigot and your so-called religion is based on deceit and meanness. Resign from CNN, and then go back and read that Bible you use to call for violence against gay people.

Jesus was gay. The man he loved wrote the gospel of John. They were physically affectionate together in public. They might as well have been married. According to the text of the Bible, the disciples recognized and honored their relationship. When Jesus was dying on the cross, he asked his mother and the man he loved to treat each other as mother and son, and they did.

“See how he loved him.” When you call for violence against gay people, you are just one more of those people calling for Jesus to be killed because he was gay.

If Glaad and others are so offended by Roland’s Super Bowl comment why aren’t they calling for him to be removed ALL OF HIS MEDIA JOBS, i.e.: radio.

Why aren’t they calling for this web page to be removed ?

Why aren’t they calling for twitter to remove his twitter page ? 

Why only CNN ?

hmmmmm !

You are a douchebag. You acted like a bully and denigrated soccer.

Not a bad apology.  I don’t buy it, but it was worded well.

How is smacking the ish out of only dudes who like Beckman undie ads not anti-gay?

How is a tweet about pink jerseys, when no team has pink jerseys, not anti-gay?

Just admit it, tell us you’ll work on your (apparently) unconscious bias and try to find out what anti-gay bias really does in this country.  Start by reading police reports.

Roland, what do you think of gay marriage? This lacked depth on lgbt issues.

Uh Oh!

Now you’re suspended by CNN.

You might have a chance at redemption if you would just explain what “ish” is and detail how, exactly, someone goes about smacking the ish out of someone.

Once you define “ish” and explain what you meant when you wrote “smack the ish out of him”, CNN and anyone who found any “offense” in your words should quickly forgive you.

Right bruh?

Look, I’m a white male that so happens to be gay and I found absolutely NO OFFENSE to the words he said in his tweets. He had been making remarks about soccer all day and frequently references the sport ALL the time. So for you other gay idiots, it’s impossible to take what he said out of context. People of the LGBT community always think the world is out to get them. Yes we have feelings and yes we are also human, but you chose to be gay..so deal with it! Not everyone is out to get you. Maybe if you idiots weren’t so sensitive all the time..then maybe the LGBT could band together..become aggressive..and get laws passed in all states for gay marriage and adoption rights. Roland meant no harm. He’s a great journalist. He said what he said in leisure time. Give the man a grip. For the ones who got offended..you look stupid and should walk around with a vagina on your face so the world can give you a big F you!

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i think we as adults need to mature it is sad that we can’t joke and not have to define the words. in no way did i take that as being violent or homophobic and for those that did let’s mature. we all made comments about the commericals and half-time show but really people if you are that sensitive go inside your home and lock the door close the curtains throw out the tv and radio but because things and not that serious and people really aren’t thinking of you most of the time roland i love you

The suspension seems inconsistent.  You just have to look at the pants worn by football players to know it is all about gay pride to begin with.

This is another example of how we must be mindful of our thoughts and actions. Clearly your message was misconstrued by your word choice and once we hit send, there is no turning back. I am saddened and empathetic for those offended.  We were never promised days without challenge. Looks like today is your day..

Being a straight woman when I read the comment I thought it had a little green with envy over tone.  The man was so—–fine to me.  Men tend to be jealous of a fine brother, especially one so endowed!

Just watched the ad, and knowing how easily offended the LGBT community is, Matin should have totally left that alone. Not backing up from what I stated above, but he should have given the tweet a little more thought. I’m certain he did not mean to offend anyone, but you can’t say anything these days about Gay people. You can only say good things! Everyone else, every other group is fair game, but say one thing that could be construed as offensive to the Gay community and their panties are in a serious wad! That’s right, I said it! What? You’re going to ban me from the Internet now?

“Also, how does berating a player for wearing pink have to do with Soccer?”- posted in a comment by Jacques. Well said.

It’s funny that a public figure who is an ACTIVE supporter of anti-bullying can easily type the words “smack the ish” or “teamwhipdatass,” and post it for all the world to see. A little delicadeza would be nice, and apologizing for something that is not the real issue is meaningless and senseless.

I’m looking forward to the termination CNN would “whip your ass” with. And no, my words are not “in jest.”

I’m a heterosexual Caucasian male, Roland, and I believe, as do many others, that your jestful remarks were incorrectly interpreted by some who just didn’t fully comprehend exactly what you were trying to say.

I feel that you are the victim of an improper knee-jerk reaction by a news-gathering organization that is more concerned with “group paranoia,” than in carefully analyzing your comments and the reason(s) for them.

CNN really should re-consider their initial response to your comments and un-do a very serious error against you, that they committed. 

we as people need to watch what we said out of mouth.  you mouth is a weapon and it can hurt people of all color we need think before we say thing that might hurt other and can’t heal the pain  i’m just saying

Sue their butts off. You’ll win because the person or persons who are the know all see all gods of the universe are really weak minded juvenile thinking nerds.

why do we always have to submit to the gays (the batty boy them).Fuck them the bible tells you man to man is wrong what says you.If there parents was fogot how would they be born thru the ass.

Roland sorry to say, but this is when the old saying comes into play; you know were you are today; but do you don’t know where you’re going!”  Like hip hoppers UGK state, One day you’re here baby, then you’re gone!  Sorry, I too was a victim of termination for being me!  However, in the end with my undying faith, it was overturned and my character (RESTORED).   Good Luck!

Roland, I am an openly gay man, and I think this obsession with political correctness has gone too far. I think that this censure is a threat to our freedom of speech, and we should be able to make a joke, as long as it doesn’t perpetrate violence or discrimination. Your comment was made in jest and in the spirit of simply being a sports fan, not a biggot. Those of our community who are so obsessed with every word that it tweeted, spoken, or published should focus more on the real issues of equality and choose their battles more wisely.

Maybe CNN was extra hard on you because you are black?  Unlimited suspensions seems a little severe for a superbowl tweet about a guy showing off his undies.

Anyone who cannot understand why Martin’s tweets were offensive simply doesn’t want to.  If instead, “funny” tweets suggesting violence against African American men had been “jokingly” sent out by a noted white commentator – which would equally offensive, these folks saying “chill out” would have some very different reactions. 

Those who want to laugh it off are refusing to see how ignoring this kind of behavior fosters a tolerance for discrimination, and teaches another generation that it’s okay to put down someone for being gay.  Is that really what you’d want to hear a child saying among their friends? Is that really the kind of joke you’d be down with?

What a joke this whole “controversy” is, It seems that GLAAD has become heavy handed gangsters who will stop at nothing to control how people speak. When a  comment even seems like it was about gay people they will come down on you, regarless of whether there was ever an actual slur made. Roland Martin never said the word gay or homosexual or anything remotely resembling those words, or any other slur associated with homosexuality. i’m tired of the PC police in this country. Whatever happened to freedom of speech? People like myself are now caught in between a war between the morons of the Tea Party and they overly sensitive gangsters of GLAAD. When will people realize that this type of censorship will only move this country to it’s ultimate destruction and closer to the Communism  that we fought against for years. 

You have shown great contempt for people of all races and hide your true feelings in the hopes of minimizing the damage from your mindless stunt. It is by your actions and words that deem you unworthy to anchor the news or speak on anybody’s behalf genuinely. Only you and you alone could have remedied this situation, but you chose to aggrevate it and lie in the hopes of saving your own pathetic skin. You mentioned your little profanity, your supposedly credible actions with your wife, and experience with bullies, but you failed to mention anything truly worthwhile. Instead you submitted a completely generic, unsensitive apology, in doing so it shows you are not telling the truth. If you were really sorry and actually understood the severity of what you said then you would have admitted to the mistake, apoligized sincerely, and perhaps tried to help those in the mentioned community instead of hiding and mentioning false credentials and cowering in the shadows of your father and wife, you should feel ashamed of your self. You lack the basic ability to self evaluate your self and thus it has resulted in the loss of your job and pseudo-credibility. So go and hide, sociaty is a constructive place and deserves more than the likes of you.

It’s worth reposting here from the comments below that Roland Martin is a confirmed, avowed bigoted jerk.

http://www.rolandsmartin.com/page/news.cfm?ArticleID=10

“My wife, an ordained Baptist minister for 20
years, has counseled many men and women to walk away from the gay lifestyle, and
to live a chaste life.”

Roland, you’re a douche of a person, and good for CNN for canning your bigoted ass.

Mr Martin, you are far too intelligent and educated to try and pass off your above statement as a sincere apology.  “Final Thoughts”?  Really? Haven’t you advocated similar public blasphemies by others as being the starting point for discussion?