Unfortunate bigotry and xenophobia from CNBC business writer.
In an article titled “Marathon’s Headline Win Is Empty” CNBC business writer, Darren Rovell, claims that the winner, Meb Keflezighi, a naturalized citizen who was born in Eritrea but has been in the US since he was 12 is a “ringer” so running fans shouldn’t be all that excited that an American won the NY Marathon – since he isn’t really an American.
It’s odd that he considers someone who has lived in the US for 22 years a ringer. Mr. Keflzighi has spent his formative years in the US. Has presumably trained and eaten like an American (not a Kenyan which Mr. Rovell brings up for some reason despite Meb not being Kenyan – guess they’re all the same). So what advantage did Meb have?
Perhaps Mr. Rovell thinks Eritreans are genetically superior runners to Americans.
Though I’d like Mr. Rovell to define “American” if he can.
Furthermore, my guess is that Mr. Rovell is not a Native American. My guess is that his ancestors – perhaps recent ancestors – immigrated to the United States.
One would assume he would not consider them Americans either.
Someone should ask him that too.
