As soon as the man announces to the world that he’s battling lung cancer, people start questioning his blackness. Mostly, it has been other black people, who, after hearing about Gumbel’s illness last week, followed up with commentary about the longtime journalist’s “arrogance” and “reverse racism.”

Talk about highly inappropriate. What does being “black enough” have to do with a cancer diagnosis? In journalism, we call this a non sequitur, a statement that does not follow, nor is clearly related to, anything previously said.

It’s as if these folks couldn’t help but take cheap shots at Gumbel, who is in no way required to defend the way he talks  or the white woman he married. And on the heels of his cancer announcement, these remarks are in particularly bad taste.

Unfortunately, this has become a recurring theme among African Americans, whereby one’s perceived commitment to blackness is the standard by which they are treated. From President Obama to Condoleezza Rice, black people who spend their time in the mainstream are expected to exude some impossible measure of racial pride to be judged by other black people.

Over the years, Gumbel has brushed his shoulders off when criticized. In one particularly well-put declaration, he said: “If you want to accept my image, fine. If not, that’s fine, too. I’m a broadcaster who happens to be black. Not a black broadcaster. And that’s more than a lesson in semantics.”

You tell ‘em, Bryant.

And now, in light of his diagnosis, can’t he just be a cancer patient? Must he flash his black card when discussing each new development in life, even the life-threatening ones?

Honestly, I’m at a loss as to why he’s faced such superficial criticism to begin with. Anyone who has watched Real Sports can appreciate the man’s fair and balanced journalism instincts. His show features really interesting and in-depth stories on athletes of all races. It must be because he speaks so well. Or the fact that his partner in life is not African American. Whatever the reasons, they’re just other people’s hang-ups.

Right now, Gumbel needs to focus on getting well. And everybody else needs to get off his back. Should he have to undergo chemo, what’s likely to ensue is a pretty miserable few months of fatigue, nausea, and constant doctor’s appointments. Not fun at all. Let’s show a little respect.