Racial Tensions In The U.S. At Ridiculous Levels

It is always a difficult task when one approaches the subject of racism in this country. Because of the still very controversial issue, one can be seen as having a racist attitude by writing about it or talking about. Let’s put that to rest first. This article is in no way intended to cast aspersions on any race or to place one race as more important or more intelligent or more relevant. It is simply intended to inform, educate and, hopefully, change a few hearts and minds.

From the days before Abraham Lincoln to the recent “news hog” stories of the Jena Six case, racial tensions between blacks and whites have been a prevalent part of everyday America. From a woman who just wanted to sit with everyone else on the bus, Rosa Parks, to a baseball player, Jackie Robinson, who had to struggle everyday of his life just to play the game he loved, racial tensions have stayed in the mainstream. Some white students in Jena, LA hung nooses in a “white tree” at their school. This school is predominantly white with only 15% being black. The “white tree” is where, reportedly, only white students sat during lunch and other breaks. When a black student asked a teacher, apparently in a jocular way, if he could sit under the tree nooses were found hanging in the tree the next morning. Though reports are clouded it seems that three white students were found to have hung the noses. While expulsion was recommended by the school superintendent, the board overruled his recommendation and the students had to serve some detentions and attend some classes. Soon after black students targeted and attacked a white student and beat him to the point of requiring surgeries and inflicting permanent injuries. These students were put on trial and there was even a protest of about 20,000 people claiming the black students were treated more harshly than the white students. This incident is now commonly refereed to as The Jena Six case.

Keep this event in mind as you read on. While there are many examples of racist attitudes I want to talk about how it relates to the sports world. Let’s take the Michael Vick case for example. You thought it was all about dog fighting right? Well, several representatives from the African American community have come to Vick’s defense saying he has been treated too harshly because he is Black. They say that because dog fighting was part of the culture in which he was raised he should be given a break. The likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and even Oprah Winfrey have stepped up to defend him. They are asking us to ignore the fact that dogs were put against each other in a fight to the death. They are asking us to forget that dogs that were discovered to be weaker were killed by having their heads smashed on the ground and buried in the yard. They are asking us to forget all this because he is Black and that’s just the way things were when he was growing up. Michael Vick was treated like a God when he came out of college and into the NFL. With his ridiculous contract and almost endless number of endorsements he was one the highest paid people on the face of the planet. We revered him as special because of his athletic ability. We didn’t care what color he was. Our kids wanted to be him and no one cared that a White kid from a White neighborhood in suburban White America went to his or her White school school sporting a Michael Vick shirt and his Nike line of shoes. However, as soon as Mr. Vick was found to be guilty, of his own admission by the way, of heinous crimes, America and the world was asked to forgive him because – he is Black. Some have said this kind of thing is hypocritical. Don’t judge me or treat me poorly because I am Black but when I get in trouble forgive me because I am. That does definitely make for a good discussion.

Most recently, this week as a matter of fact, ESPN had a poll asking whether Barry Bonds is being treated unfairly because he is Black. Almost 60% of Blacks said yes, in fact, he would have been treated differently if he was White. I am a Barry Bonds fan. I always have been. However, I think what he did is atrocious and that he should not be allowed to go to the Hall of Fame. Not because he is Black but because he cheated at the very game by which he made his living. We all know he did it and we all know he lied about it. That does not mean that everyone who wants Bonds out of the Hall of Fame is racist. Pete Rose is banned for life from baseball and anything associated with baseball because he gambled on the sport. It is open to discussion whether that is as bad as steroids or dog fighting but one thing is for sure. He is White and he banned from baseball. Bonds is Black and he is not – at least not yet. Dwight Gooden, another African American ball player, was kicked out of baseball and, in fact, arrested four different times, for cocaine and other offenses. He was not however, kicked out of the game for good and was allowed back on several instances. So to say that these Black athletes are treated more harshly doesn’t seem to hold water.

It all comes down to this. We need to do more as a whole to get past this. This is not the 60’s. There is no reason for us to be separated. Who cares if someone is Black, White or Purple for that matter. We are all PEOPLE and deserve to be treated as such. But if you cross the line you should pay and your PUNISHMENT should fit your CRIME. Until we can come together and decide that a person is a person we will never climb out of this hole we have dug for ourselves. If you’re White don’t judge someone who isn’t and don’t persecute them because they aren’t. YOU will look the idiot. If you’re Black don’t play the race card just because. While racism is alive in this country not every decision is based on it. In short, we need to fix this. We need to fix it now and we need to become more intelligent as a group and treat each other with respect, love and decency.

As always let me know what you think.