Mike Arrington Loves Black People
Today was supposed to be Fun Friday over at Whitespace, but then Rundle asked me if I had heard about Ed Dunn calling Mike Arrington racist. Now I don’t have an opinion on whether or not Mr. Arrington is racist because I don’t even know the guy and I don’t play the race card. I’m half-black, half-white and found out a long time ago that any barriers can be overcome if you feel race is an issue.
What I do have an issue with is how Ed Dunn is going about all of this. I will keep this short as possible because really I don’t care to say everything that is on my mind, but if you feel like you are being snubbed because you are Black then it’s your duty to put out a product that people can’t deny rocks major ass. Simple as that. I believe 9rules is doing a very good thing, nothing major at the moment like Google or anything, but we do good things for good people and we have yet to hit major coverage anywhere.
And you know what? We know it’s because we have to push harder to make something that appeals to more and more individuals (marketing helps as well) and we are getting there. Traffic is growing monthly and more people are becoming aware of who we are. I’m not stupid enough to believe that some people don’t have it much easier due to their connections and whatnot, but I do believe the web is an open playing field where everyone gets a chance and if you don’t make a success out of things, you should try looking at yourself first to understand why.
Now, so we don’t spoil the Friday Fun with this “serious” stuff here are some pics that clearly prove Mike Arrington does indeed like black people.
Hell he even likes non-white women.
So let’s cut the bullshit and get back to creating products that people use regardless if you are a man from Idaho who is purple with 7 legs, 2 penises, 3 ears, and 1 tooth.
And ladies, those pictures are from last SXSW a year ago. I look a little different now.
Anyone pulling any card just because they can really narks me. Your race is a part of you but it is not an excuse. I agree just get on and make something good rather than the common race card pulling on any sign of failure. Whether you are full, mixed, or right-leg-big-toe part raced; you make a bad product you won’t get anywhere and moaning about how it’s racism just makes you look like an idiot as in this case.
By karmatosed on February 10, 2006 12:57 pm
Nice pics scrivs. That sure did make Friday Fun. :-)
By Justin Williams on February 10, 2006 12:57 pm
That’s not my body with Mike’s head in any of those shots is it? I mean, I can see Rundle’s great figure in shot one…
By Josh Williams on February 10, 2006 1:01 pm
I think the last pic is on your body Josh.
By Scrivs on February 10, 2006 1:07 pm
Mike Arrington does not care about Black People?
/kanye
I love when the spic card gets played on me; it just makes it all the more fun to prove people wrong.
By Alex Cabrera on February 10, 2006 2:01 pm
Wait a minute, you’re BLACK?!
I thought this was “Whitespace,” you know, like a space for white people.
Oh man, I feel so awkward now.
By Richard Medek on February 10, 2006 2:07 pm
Comment of the day right there folks.
By Scrivs on February 10, 2006 2:13 pm
Those pictures are covered by a Creative Commons license. All rights reserved.
I’d sue, but you made that last picture better so I’ll let it go this time. :P
Mr. Arrington looks great in black and silver.
By Matthew Oliphant on February 10, 2006 3:06 pm
Has anyone ever told you that you look like Barak Obama? :P
By Omar on February 10, 2006 3:55 pm
Also, having now read the links to this “developing story,” I think this might be the main issue Ed needs to overcome to develop a useful site.
I got that message after every search. Hopefully it was just a coincidence.
By Matthew Oliphant on February 10, 2006 4:02 pm
Omar, you tryin to say that all black people look the same???? Huh???
Haha just bustin…. yeah Paul looks like Barak mixed with a little Jigga, no doubt.
By Mike Rundle on February 10, 2006 4:32 pm
Scrivs looks almost exactly like one of my childhood friends, except my childhood buddy was a blonde haired white dude who was 1/4 native american. Go figure. It’s the nose and the smile, mostly.
By JC on February 10, 2006 4:57 pm
Hahahaha, this made my day. And then Richard’s comment made it even better. I’m still laughing…
By Trevor Filter on February 10, 2006 5:05 pm
Best. Post. About this hooha. Rock on, Mr. Scrivens.
By Brian Oberkirch on February 10, 2006 6:27 pm
Scrivs,
Not wanting to get too political on the issue of Arrington, I have to say that I partly agree and partly disagree with your sentiments. There are some cases where a person just needs a great product whether they are White, Black, Native American or whatever. A great product speaks volumes. It means that you understand the market and that you have targeted something that consumers were missing, a void that only you can fill. But there are other times when having a great product just isn’t enough.
African-American men and women as well as men and women of other cultures have systematically and methodically been discriminated against for a large part of this country’s history. To be honest the internet is not the level playing field that most people think that it is. To be a level and open field, every man and woman would have access to the ‘Net and would be able to get across his or her point or display his or her product. But that just isn’t the case. While the number of broadband users is on the rise, less than a third of those users are African-American. Why? Either they can’t afford broadband, they can’t afford a decent computer or both. For some people, they live in an area in which there is no internet provider or if there is a provider, they can only get dial-up speeds. The field of technology is a field in which African-Americans by and large possess a clear disadvantage. And for those African-American men and women who do have the access and the cash to purchase a decent computer, they still can’t get a fair shake because of banks, venture capitalists and company executives not giving them a fair deal or even a chance to play in the game.
How many African-American men and women truly hold positions of influence or power with-in Adobe? Microsoft? Apple? Sony? HP? Sun? Google? I bet that if we added up the number of top African-American executives or engineers at all of those companies it would equal to maybe 1% of the total of employees of all those companies combined. And that’s being forgiving with the numbers. Don’t think that because you purchased Kanye West’s CD or that you got a little teary eyed at Coretta Scott King’s funeral that you have done your part in solving America’s race problem.
America has always had an issue with race and we will continue to have one until people realize that we are not all treated as equals and decide to actually do something about it. And incase anyone missed it, I’m Black too. :)
By viperteq on February 10, 2006 6:46 pm
You look different now?
What you look like you’re 10 years old now? (had to do it, man)
By Glen C. on February 10, 2006 7:00 pm
Yeah, great, thanks for the support. :-)
By Michael Arrington on February 10, 2006 8:25 pm
Race is sometimes an issue in business, and other times its made an issue when it doesn’t need to be. We clearly have control over the second case - so lets eliminate that one.
Quietly succeeding despite obstacles speaks volumes about a person, no matter their race. Winning on the back of false fouls results in an empty victory….just ask the Steelers. (Ok, now I’m stirring things up)
- the bitter Seahawk fan
By Calvin Tang on February 10, 2006 8:27 pm
Race is a made up term American’s coined in the 1800’s.
You should say something like ethnicity.
Anyway, those pics were pretty freakin’ funny.
By Dustin Diaz on February 10, 2006 10:30 pm
Yeah, what does this mean?
Also, can you put me in touch with this dude?
By Sally Carson on February 11, 2006 12:23 pm
Well, Ed Munn’s website is keep crashing my Safari for some unknown reason…
By Tom on February 11, 2006 4:03 pm
Does the man from idaho have a British brother for me too, maybe with more than one tooth though (sorry to be picky)?
By karmatosed on February 11, 2006 5:41 pm
It is no secret that I am black (see: http://www.clarencewooten.com). But unlike Ed, I have known Mike Arrington for years so I do have an opinion about whether or not Mike Arrington is a racist — HE IS NOT!
Ed Dunn seems to be angry at the world right now… I feel bad for the brotha. But calling Mike Arrington a racist when he doesn’t even know Mike… is not going to solve his personal issues or help him gain traction for his search engine.
It has got him a little extra attention… which is probably all he’s after anyway. Good luck Ed, but you have gone about this entirely wrong.
By Clarence Wooten on February 12, 2006 2:11 am
lol… I hate that Milke got labeled like that, and I hate Mr Fooky pulled that on him.
Looking at the site (which I had never heard of before, I didn’t feel compelled to do much). Worth a quick review and then moving on, that’s it!
But the title of this post from Scriv and the accompanying pictures are HILARIOUS! I haven’t laughed this much in awhile.
someone should create a site/contest on flickr, with p.shopped mockups…
hilarious…
(sorry mike..)
By freakysteve on February 12, 2006 8:28 pm
Sure some Mike Arrington post love will mean every other web 2.0 guy and gal will think you are uber of the day but surely it’s better to get the attention of TIME Magazine or USA Today or NBC’s Today Show to ensure your killer app takes off with consumers? Maybe that’s just crazy talk and Mike controls the minds of every Internet user in the world.
Scrivs, your pictures still blow me away and I still don’t believe you’re old enough to drink but that’s cool becasue if you are ever in Australia I’ll sneak you into as many pubs as I can ;)
By Anthony on February 13, 2006 7:14 am
I’ll hold you up to that Anthony.
By Scrivs on February 13, 2006 11:07 am
Paul isnt the only person in the only person of african decent in this industry… im pretty sure jacob neilson is at least 1/2 black
By Derek on February 14, 2006 12:51 pm
//but if you feel like you are being snubbed because you are Black then it’s your duty to put out a product that people can’t deny rocks major ass.//
This is classic racism. In other words “we cannot accept Black people unless they are super-perfect or they rock - if they don’t rock they are worthy of being snubbed.”
Hey, you guys are doing a great job of showing the world how you operate - writing how you are not racist on your own Blogs and forums that doesn’t allow or even entertain an authetic African-American perspective.
The disclaiming photos, the “I’m half-white and 100% know the African-American experience” thing..I find that really really entertaining reading.
Sad part is, you guys will sink your heads if you ever saw my get togethers - the true diversity and authenticity of my circle will run circles around this phoney display of racial tolerance.
By Ed Dunn on March 7, 2006 8:54 pm
Scrivs,
FYI, 12% of American population is Black, 24% Latinos, and 65% is white and the rest is others. That’s why there is less black to fill high positions. before you scream racist or blacks being victimized educate yourself on statistics. I really get tired of people screaming “RACIST”.
By JOBLOW on April 3, 2006 10:33 am
I agree wiht Joblow. Matter fact there is more African Americans that hold high positions then Latinos. Huh? Why arnt they complaining?
By JaneDoe on April 3, 2006 10:41 am
Ummm, I’m not screaming racist at all. I’m doing the complete opposite actually. Instead of me checking my facts, I suggest you actually read what I wrote along with the entries I linked to.
Great appreciated.
By Scrivs on April 3, 2006 10:45 am
My apologies to you Scrivs.
By JOBLOW on April 3, 2006 11:36 am
No worries.
By Scrivs on April 3, 2006 11:49 am