Tilghman Racist or Sharpton Aggrandizing?

lynch
Pronunciation: 'linch
Function: transitive verb
: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction —lynch·er noun

This is how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word lynch. Lynching is further described in codes of law as "Any act of violence inflicted by a mob upon the body of another person which results in the death of the person". Now for the part that was news to me: apparently the word "lynch" is racist and derogatory and can get you in a lot of hot water. If you go beyond the actual definition of the word and read, for example, the Wikipedia description of the word, you will find that in the United States, Great Britain and the colonies during the nineteenth century, lynching was generally inspired by race or gender. Evidently, the frequency of racially inspired lynchings decreased through the first half of the 1900's and by 1960 had been all but eliminated. I tell you all of this because of the following story ...

Golf Channel anchorwoman Kelly Tilghman made the comment during the weekend broadcast that for any of the young guys on the PGA Tour to step up and take over the number one ranking from Tiger Woods, they would have to "Lynch him in a back alley". Quite frankly, in the absolute true definition of the word "lynch", she's probably right. Woods is absolutely head and shoulders above his competition and unless he gets hurt or just decides he doesn't want to bother anymore, he will continue to win and be the unquestionable number one golfer in the world. Tilghman made the comment in jest while bantering with noted "funnyman" Nick Faldo and finished the comment with a chuckle. There was no malice from her, especially when you consider that Tiger is a personal friend of hers. Reports indicate that when Tiger does interviews for the Golf Channel, he specifically requests that they be done with Tilghman and since the comment, he has publicly defended what she said and thoughtfully taken it in good humour.

Unfortunately, I've read today that Reverand Al Sharpton is calling for his National Action Network to picket the Golf Channel's Orlando Headquarters until the station fires Tilghman? What could he possibly have to gain from this? It didn't occur to me until I did some research today that the word "lynch" could be so racially insensitive and it likely didn't occur to Tilghman either. However, given that Sharpton and, judging by the chat boards out there, several other people were offended by the remark, I clearly missed something. Those offended need to be reminded that the person directly affected, Tiger, has publicly said that there was no offense taken. I suppose the true test will be if Tiger chooses to do interviews with her anymore, but I tend to take Woods' word at face value. He certainly hasn't given us any reason not to. So why is it so simple for him to shrug it off but not for Sharpton?

I don't know what else to say except that it upsets me a great deal that someone's livelihood is at stake for a comment that, taken out of context and with a stretched definition, was offensive to people who were not even the subject of the statement. I'm certain that Tilghman is sorry for any offense taken and the two week suspension that the Golf Channel has already handed down is more than enough punishment. I look forward to seeing her back on the air and interviewing Tiger again soon.