Ain’t That a Kick in the Teeth
In a column published this morning about Allen Iverson’s feelings about being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, Inquirer columnist David Aldridge drew on his experience of being let go from ESPN:
Anyone who’s been fired, or laid off, or taken “early retirement,” or gotten the Ziggy, to quote Dick Vitale, or whatever euphemism is used, should understand the anger in Iverson, no matter the $17 million he’s getting, the way that being dispatched twists the good memories into unrecognizable mush and pushes the bad ones to the front.
I remember it as if it were yesterday. Remember what I had for breakfast, what I was wearing, and the absolute shock that went through my brain when told my services no longer were required. It must have been what fighters go through in the seconds after a KO. And the numbness that lasted for days, weeks.
David Aldridge was one of 68 people laid off from the Inquirer last night/this morning. I doubt it’s any easier this time.
About Dave Thomer
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Studied philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, where I made many great friends and met my wonderful wife. We moved back to Philadelphia, where I studied philosophy some more and became a teacher. Online and off, I'm looking for ways that we can be better citizens and build stronger communities.