RJChicago 14 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 Hello all - I'm new to closely following International wrestling and I've quickly become obsessed. Anyway, I've heard a lot of references to Thomas Gilman - and controversies he has had, things he has said in the past that have gotten people riled up, etc. I had never even heard of Thomas Gilman until recently, so I didn't know any of this. I would be so appreciative if someone could quickly recap and/or post any of what all of this relates to. I had never even seen him speak until the Final X Lincoln Press Conference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KCMO2 625 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 He's used racial slurs in the past, he's intentionally tried to injure people (Waters), he's acted like an ass on the mat, he's instigated crap with other wrestlers and other teams, and he says stupid and disrespectful things in interviews. If you ask non-Iowa fans, the majority would probably tell you he's the biggest jerk in the sport right now. 3 stp, misanthrope and Ultimatepip reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ionel 1,459 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 33 minutes ago, KCMO2 said: If you ask non-Iowa fans, the majority would probably tell you he's the biggest jerk in the sport right now. Give Iowa fans a little credit, ~half of them would also agree with that statement. 1 Scorenomore reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocep 48 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 45 minutes ago, KCMO2 said: He's used racial slurs in the past, he's intentionally tried to injure people (Waters), he's acted like an ass on the mat, he's instigated crap with other wrestlers and other teams, and he says stupid and disrespectful things in interviews. If you ask non-Iowa fans, the majority would probably tell you he's the biggest jerk in the sport right now. Racial slurs? Are you referring to “the Jap” comment. I don’t think that was meant as a racial slur. If it was 1944, maybe, but I think it was more referring to the person’s place of origin. Only say this because saying because without context he is being painted to be a racist. 6 Alwayswrestling, Peso, Ultimatepip and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJB 1,630 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 RJC... If you appreciate truly fierce competitors you will love Gilman... if you also appreciate dullards and the painfully average getting riled up by someone who will not be forced into some one size fits all mold, then you will love Gilman... 3 1 herma48852, CoachWrestling, KCMO2 and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lurker 1,480 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 He did not make a racial slur 1 Ogalthorpe Haywood reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gasman1 39 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 correct...not racial. it was more of an ethnic slur Jap - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap Jap is an English abbreviation of the word "Japanese". Today it is generally regarded as an ethnic slur among Japanese minority populations in other countries, ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denger 209 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 He was often chippy in college and would apparently succumb to emotions in close matches. I think he's matured since then. I didn't see the "Jap" comment as a racial slur, but questioned how an educated person could think it was OK to say that in an interview. He's a Brands product, after all, so being an A-hole is encouraged. I was not a fan of him at all until his Senior International career took root. It's hard to not be a fan of such a tough competitor, even if I don't necessarily like his attitude on the side of the mat. 1 leshismore reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TripNSweep 498 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 He's like the Barry Bonds of wrestling, if Barry Bonds had a sense of humor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pennsy Kraken 19 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 Using the word Jap is no different than the rest of the world using the slang "yank" to describe Americans. There are valid reasons to dislike Gilman... this isn't one of them 1 Ogalthorpe Haywood reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbert 561 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 Here we go again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headshuck 2,305 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 Here we go againYep Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
npope 157 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) I agree - yep. That said, I was born in Japan, although I am not Japanese. I also lived there as an adult for three years. On one occasion when I was out with my Japanese friends (in 1986) I used the term "Jap" and they were truly offended. It was the first time I was informed that the word is a "sensitive" reference. Suffice to say, the word didn't register as an offensive term to me (even thought my connections to Japan ran deep...for a white guy), but in deference to my friends (and Japanese in general), if it offended them then I was fine with not using the term going forward. I think the point here is that any word might be taken as offensive depending on the audience - even if the person using the word doesn't see it as such. The issue is, IMO, whether you care about the feelings of others - not how you yourself interpret the meaning. Personally, I think folks should cut Gilman some slack on this issue - it was an experience that he seems to have learned from; he has said as much. As for other Gilman issues.... Edited June 15, 2019 by npope Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingK0ng 175 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 34 minutes ago, tbert said: Here we go again Whatever happened to BTFB anyway? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ionel 1,459 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 52 minutes ago, Pennsy Kraken said: Using the word Jap is no different than the rest of the world using the slang "yank" to describe Americans. There are valid reasons to dislike Gilman... this isn't one of them and the majority of Americans would be offended if called "yanks" so not sure what point you are trying to make? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbert 561 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, KingK0ng said: Whatever happened to BTFB anyway? Wondering the same, guess we will find out if he is still around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gimpeltf 1,630 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 10 minutes ago, ionel said: and the majority of Americans would be offended if called "yanks" so not sure what point you are trying to make? At least Red Sox fans would! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AHamilton 662 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 55 minutes ago, gimpeltf said: At least Red Sox fans would! I'm a Sox fan and would be happy to be called a "Yank" by a Brit or an Aussie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pennsy Kraken 19 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 1 hour ago, ionel said: and the majority of Americans would be offended if called "yanks" so not sure what point you are trying to make? No they wouldn't... stop being a snowflake. 2 Ultimatepip and John Coctostan reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cradle1 249 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 Jesus guys, even if the term "Jap" is offensive to some, let's be honest here, Thomas Gilman is not the most sophisticated person much less the most up to date on what is and isn't politically correct. So at worst it was an innocent mistake- clearly he used "Jap" as shorthand much like I might describe a wrestler from Great Britain as "the Brit". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katie 801 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 4 hours ago, Rocep said: Racial slurs? Are you referring to “the Jap” comment. I don’t think that was meant as a racial slur. If it was 1944, maybe, but I think it was more referring to the person’s place of origin. Only say this because saying because without context he is being painted to be a racist. In the US, that term is definitely derogatory. Whether or not someone knows it’s derogatory is a different story. IMO it would be sad if someone didn’t know. 2 KCMO2 and denger reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cradle1 249 Report post Posted June 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, Katie said: In the US, that term is definitely derogatory. Whether or not someone knows it’s derogatory is a different story. IMO it would be sad if someone didn’t know. Perhaps he's made being a world class athlete more of a priority than worrying about offending your delicate sensibilities? 5 Ultimatepip, TheOhioState, russelscout and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katie 801 Report post Posted June 16, 2019 27 minutes ago, Cradle1 said: Perhaps he's made being a world class athlete more of a priority than worrying about offending your delicate sensibilities? Hopefully you get banned for this post. But either way, welcome to my ignore list. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cradle1 249 Report post Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) 51 minutes ago, Katie said: Hopefully you get banned for this post. But either way, welcome to my ignore list. Perfect response, snowflake. It’s a tough blow, not being able to converse with you I’ve learned so much! This post really defines who you the snowflakes are, in your mind I should be banned not for saying an indelicate remark myself, But apparently for not being outraged enough by the remark of another. Your world is both pathetic and fascinating at the same time. Edited June 16, 2019 by Cradle1 3 Alwayswrestling, Ultimatepip and SC_Wrestling reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cradle1 249 Report post Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) duplicate post. Edited June 16, 2019 by Cradle1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites