Is Dennis Rodman's behavior a pure expression of self or an attempt to manipulate the media?
Submit Date: 5 MAR 1999 Name: Mandy Email: Response:
I love him! I think he is wonderful and everyone judges him. He is an outstanding b-ball player and people shouldn't let how he is off of the court effect him on the court.
Submit Date: 27 FEB 1999 Name: Jerry Thomas Email: www.jfpages@prodigy.com Response:
Know matter what you say about Dennis, he stepped up to the plate in Jasper Texas. Yes! It gave him attention and notoriety. He was the only black athlete I saw contribute his personal funds to the buriel and funeral services towards Mr. Byrds Family. In their moment of greatest need you could never imagine how he helped console their great lost.
Name: K. Leonard Email: k8wra@juno.com Response:
I think that Dennis Rodman is both expressing his inner self and manipulating the media. Dennis is a little like his ex-girlfriend, Madonna; a person with very ordinary looks and some particular talent and a willingness to push convention to the edge to gain noteriety and fame and the wealth that goes with it. I do think that Dennis, Madonna, and people of that ilk are a little bit crazy, because I don't think that any of us is totally sane; especially those who shell out big bucks to follow their shenanigans.
Name: Jason Email: Jvlchek@intelect.com Response:
Let's be honset here... Dennis Rodman acting like a child.
Go into any high school (if you dare) and you will hear that
same rhetoric BS about expression, freedom, and rights that
DR spews. The only problem here is the same problem that
adolescents have rights, freedom, and freedom of expression
were gauranteed to us at a huge cost and the continuing cost
of that freedom is the understanding that we act responsibly
toward the community as a whole. DR is a spoiled child who is
acting this ay because he can...which is the worst cop out
excuse I have ever heard.
Name: Perry Ashford Email:ashftech@cyber1.servtech.com Response:
Do we really need to ask that question? Here is yest another man with his own actions and opinions of the world. He has the money to live in it how HE see fit yet, everybody needs to question it. Even us. Dis we question the countless white men with bad attitude in professional sports? Interesting this question should even come up.
Name: orestes steed Email:steed001@duke.edu Response:
here again we have another non-threatning,michael jackson,mr. t,prince looking black male engaging in (according to white psychologist) non-affirmitive white behavior. read naim akbar or bobby wright and don't forget " the message in the bottle" wees all craazzy!!! just like bro.dennis, we just don't have enough money to do it on a grand scale. youknow exactly what i mean .(blue contact lenses straighten hair...scary j. blonde i mean mary j. blige,painted red rosey cheeks on dark black skin... i could go on). we are not in control of our lives andthe sooner we realize it and get back to the knowledge of self as an african identity in this on-going struggle for freedom, just-us,and equality, we will be a lot better off. so free your mind and your ass just might follow. peace and love orestes
Name: Kathy A Email:kathy.andrews@cbn.org Response:
Dennis Rodman is very misunderstood! I say that because he is, apparently, crying out for attention. His antics on and off the court show the behavior of someone who is very confused. If we could stop looking at who he is (a multi-millionaire) and remember that he has "human frailties" like the rest of us, we wouldn't be so quick to judge what he does as being "wrong". See if you could stand the pressure of being constantly in the spotlight.
Name: Linda E Email: lewilliams Response:
Int response to Ginifer and James N.--We can progress in this society by: 1st, trying to spell words correctly. 2nd, I know People of Color/Blacks/African-Americans (whatever you call yourself) use slang, but when you use regular English, try to use it properly. Personally, it is a disgrace to see People of Color/Blacks/African-Americans have such intelligent minds, but can not express them properly. Please try and fix this problem. The more we polish our well-being, the less ignorant stereo-types we get from our counter-parts thinking we are STUPID!
Name: Ginifer Johnson Email:mjohnson@customcpu.com Response:
Regarding Dennis Rodman, I feel that the brotha is confused. Every one has ways of expressing their selves some pepole with music dance ect. He expresses him self with his body the fact that he "designs" him self with tatoos and body pearsing,and finding compaionship with white women show that he is not happy with him self.He is afraid of us'sistas" cuz we will tell you whats up and if you have problems we try and help you or we try and figure out whats wrong. And if Dennis Rodman dosent like him self then he wont let any sista get close to him. To satisfy his physical he turns to white women. Unless one of us can talk with him all we can do is pray for our brotha.
Much Respect,
Ginifer
Name: James N. Email:jjn@wp-lag.mindspring.com Response:
KNOCK!KNOCK! Wake up black people of the world.
Let's focus on some real problems. What's this bullshit about role models, what happen to mom, pop and family members. Dennis is here today, gone tomorrow. We need to focus on surviving and striving in a white socitey. Prepare our children for the reality of life. Sports and Entertainment is fine. But how many of us will live that life. The real color today is GREEN. NO EDUCATION, NO COMMON SENSE,NO RESPECT,NO SELF CONTROL,NO MORALS,AND NO DISCIPLINE=NO$$$$$ Maybe you don't have a family. But!! How about helping a brother or sister out.
And don't forget to Respect each other. Especially the black women!!!
Name: Michael Bowen Email:mdcb@well.com Response:
if i were a basketball millionaire, i'd want to be dennis rodman. i'm sure he is manipulating everyone to believe that he is crazier than he actually is. i give him the benefit of the doubt - only his psychiatrist knows for sure. as for role modelling; well, i thought charles barkley settled this issue years ago (with a little help from nike).
Name: Douglas Email: Response:
I think Dennis is a product of poor guidence. Not blaming anything on his mother but she probably did the best she could.
Everyone knows how our Black athletes are manipulated including the Michael Jordans, Magic Johnsons would you really want one of them to be a role model for your kids. I think people look at all the money they make and say their good role models and look how neat and clean cut they are. Dennis to me is just trying to hold on to himself whoever that might be. Why wouldn't he be confused? What Black Role Models has he had. He says he started dating white women because black women thought he was ugly when he was young. What should he have done...not date at all.
Except for that I think he is a better example for kids than many of the other athletes. It's showing them that their appearence shouldn't dictate whether you can be successful or not. Self-Esteem is inside not out. If he is manipulating the media, more power to him. It's about time we as black people turned the tables.
Name: Gerald Brown Email:gerald@eee.org Response:
A few years back, Dennis was found in the parking lot of the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, clutching a gun and a picture of his daughter. This was before he began to dye his hair and pierce his body parts. I hate to say it, but when his basketball career is over, I could see him taking his own life. It would be a waste, but it seems he is headed down a path of extreme confusion, and it only takes a moment to decide that death is a reasonable alternative. And, yes, he is a hell of a rebounder who has made Chicago an outstanding team by taking some of the media pressure off MJ.
Name: JUROM HENSON Email:Akinyemi@emuvax.emich.edu Response:
DENISE RODMAN !
YOU!
GO!
BOY!
YOU DA BOMB!
PEACE OUT!
JUROM HENSON !
Name: Ray-Ray Email: Response:
Mr. Rodman obviously had some problems when he was child such as his father leaving when he was young, growing up with little or no male role models, being teased for feminine ways, etc. He does, however, have some great qualities. He knows that the media, the NBA, and the public would like pigeonhole him into some rich, black, eccentric, want-some-attention, investment. I respect him for doing what he wants to do, calling it like it is, and not worrying about the media, NBA, or public. I feel he's hurt by Madonna's pregnancy, but life goes on and so will he.
Name: Brother Messiah Akindele Email:akinyemi@emuvax.emich.edu Response:
Dennis Rodman is one of the most ridiculous people I have ever encountered. I recently read most of his new book (the one with his butt is showing in the back cover of the book) and I feel that this so-called man is an poor example for you youth that are growing up in this basketball image today. Rodman is also confused with his identity. Another thing about Rodman is the fact that he prefers Pale women over our Nubian sisters. He claims that he really doesn't have a reason why he dates these pale faces over our sisters, hoowever, sisters didn't want to talk to him because he was ugly and did not have the money that he is making now by playing professional basketball. So he turns to the mutants to please his physical and mental. First of all, Rodman is NOT ATTRACTIVE at all. Second, I have a problem with brothers who make it out of hardships and decides to be with a woman that has less qualities than a Nubian sister. This has been a growing trend for decades now and it gets tiring for your young, mid-age, and older sisters who want a decent Nubian man to be with. His excuse for being with pale women is invalid. Another thing is how Rodman talked about Brother Grant Hill in his book. Do I sense a jealously factor here? Rodman point out in his book how Grant Hill shouldn't be getting all this publicity because the Detroit Pistons are not all that, etc. Well, Brother Hill carries himself like a gentleman and knows how to act accordingly on and off the court. On the other hand, Rodman does NOT know how to act on or off the court. It's bad when you have to get approval from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to join the team. I say this because Jordan and Pippen ARE players also. The don't own the team or not even own 1/2 the team. Dennis Rodman also stated how he really dosen't care for Black culture. So in other words he doesn't care about himself, he hates himself, and sadly to say he will never find out who he is as in individual because he has alread disrespected his mother by dating recessive flatbacks, painting his nails, and putting all types of color in his head. This is disrespectful not only to our nation but to his VERY OWN MOTHER who rasied him and his family during their times in Dallas, Texas. At least Chris Webber haven't fallen off the deep end.....yet!!!!! Keep supporting MAD Writer Productions..Hotep!!!!
Name: steve weaver Email:stweaver@aarp.org Response:
i am a sports enthusiast. my first love is basketball, however i can give an honest opinion about dennis rodman. i think dennis is probably one of the greatest rebounders in nba history he comes to work night in and night out no matter what people's opinion of him is. rebounding is blue collar work its not glamorous and it is something that you must sacrifice recognition for. dennis seeks respect but he also is marketing himself for life after basketball. i feel dennis has a few emotional problems from a bad marriage in which he cannot even see or spend time witrh his child. but unfortunately his actions are all about that mighty dollar!
Name: Russell D. Porter Email:Porter_Rud@ccsu.ctstate.edu Response:
I believe Dennis Rodman found a new life in a new image. He was able to tap into a market and he has been running with it ever since. I give him credit for adding variety to the black community. However, I do not envy him in any way. He has moved from an athlete to a full fledged entertainer. As long as he doesn't hurt anyone or spread any kind of negativity, I really can't knock him. Apparently, his eccentricity appeals to a number of individuals, so let them have their hero.
Name: David Johnson Email:dreamer704@aol.com Response:
RE: Dennis Rodman-- I think it's a little bit of both. The squeaky wheel get's the grease, you know? Rodman's a great defensive player but he's also an exhibitionist. He needs to be in the spotlight and I think that what he's doing now is laying the ground work for when he's out of the NBA. He won't have an audience of millions every week from October to June and will, no doubt, be trying to cross over into the "legitimate" entertainment industry (since basketball is officially listed as a "Sport", not entertainment per se). He want's to show the movie and tv types that he's bankable thus the "surprise" visit to Saturday Night Live. Don't be surprised to see Mr. Rodman pop up more and more as retirement clears and he tries to make the transition from court to sound stage. I mean, just think how "different" he'll be if he falls out of the spotlight. What else does he have to look forward to after basketball? I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the WWF. Don't think his handlers havent't considered it.
Name: Sandra Email: SandraD48 Response:
Dennis is, I think, a very fragile ego who, being raised in a household of women, has some problems knowing how to be a man. According to several interviews with his mother, he was a very shy child and a very introverted child. Obviously, something has changed, however, I think it is common with many adults that, as we grow older, we try to overcompensate for weaknesses we perceive ourselves to have. That is basically what I think Rodman is doing: overcompensating for the things he would have liked to have done as a child. My only hope is that he is having a good time doing it! To go through this media crap and referee crap that he deals with would make his behavior sadomasochistic if he isn't!
