If Grant Hill Could REALLY Speak His Mind

Upon watching the Fab 5 documentary this past Sunday, my heart swelled with joy from the copious amounts of Duke hatred that spewed from the former Michigan players, specifically, Jalen Rose. For those of you who don't know, Rose referred to Grant Hill as a "b**ch" and an "Uncle Tom" as he touched on the common belief that only certain types of black players are recruited by Duke University. 

As to be expected, Grant Hill took to the New York Times and responded with a politically correct, dissertation-like letter to the Fab 5. While I thought it was very well-written, many just didn't see its purpose or effectiveness. With that said, I took it upon myself to paraphrase Grant Hill's response. Please keep in mind that I am not defending dook or its players. I am, however, writing this in response to the black community's notion of the "Uncle Tom". This is what Grant Hill would say if he could REALLY speak his mind:

In 2011, I shouldn't even have to write this article, because while I'm wasting time doing this, I could be getting to the monies. But last night while I sat around my antique mahogany dining room table eating an assortment of crustaceans with my wife and kids...

This is my wife, by the way. "Winning."

....I overheard my so-called "friends" narrating this interesting documentary and calling me a b**ch and worse, calling all black players at Duke “Uncle Toms” and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, and getting to the gwop?! America is divided into two classes, "The Haves" and "The Have Nots", and something tells me you just mad cause me and my family were styling on you.

Now I am aware Jalen has gone to some length to explain his remarks but I don't care if someone referred to me as a "B**ch" and an "Uncle Tom" twenty minutes ago or twenty years ago, I'm going to speak my piece either way. WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WAS, MY NIGGA? I was just gon' take these comments about me and MY WHOLE FAMILY in stride?! Nah, b.

See, what you fail to realize is that I'm not mad about how you perceive me. I have haters. I've always had haters. I'll always have haters. However, I am upset because you, and other blacks like you, are perpetuating a intra-racial divide by trying to define what it means to be "black". SO WHAT if you were only 18 when you "supposedly" held those beliefs? That's still old enough to know better. I shouldn't have to see Friday, come from low-income housing, or own a painting of dogs playing poker to be any more black than I already am. I thoroughly enjoy reading Chaucer, visiting art exhibits, and eating my cereal with $300 Ace of Spades instead of 2%. Sue me. But If I was in a police line-up, I doubt they would record my race as anything other than black.  Half of you will never see what I've seen, or do what I've done, because you're too concerned with being "real niggas".

The statement "acting white" is laden with ignorance. And nicknames with negative connotations such as "Uncle Tom" shouldn't be placed on blacks who come from 2-parent households and strive to be educated,  speak properly, dress neatly, etc. Nevertheless, if I can help it, my children will be raised as "Uncle Toms" by your standards because I've seen what you coons are capable of.

My life hasn't been all peaches and cream, bruh. I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped you back then for your appearance and swagger. Because while I may not do it myself, I have no problem calling some people who have zero reservations about popping the trunk on you niggas for $5 dollars and a Denny's gift card. Thank you.

Grant Henry Hill
Phoenix Suns
Duke ‘94