Comments on: Rule Book Racism: Can a Black Athlete Celebrate?

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:07:52 +0000

This is nothing more then the white power structure deep hatred of black people! Blacks can play the game of football basketball and other sports! But the white power structure decide how they celebrate their victory. This is the same in the military black are past over for promotion because of the racist power structure in the military. In government we see the same! White in the establish white power structure continue to disrespect and show American that one black President change NOTHING! The white power structure attack young black men with basketbal talent. Making it a rule that they must be 18 year old age! Now many say that that efects whites too! Your right but that what happen when the white power structure attack black WE all are under attack! To think celebrating piss the white power structure OFF!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:57:13 +0000

Response to Dave:
I did not say that the black athletes “don’t agree with the rules.” Whether or not these athletes agree is not the issue. They flaunt the rules because black culture (in church, in dress, in performance) honors ostentation and personal expression of style…and these athletes are willing, perhaps even pleased, to take the penalty in return for the self-expression. In general (and this is a generalization), African Americans seem to be more apt to take actions that white America would (in general) consider showing off.

And I am sure they are thrilled to be “making millions.”

Also, I did not say that fans disagree with current celebratory expressions; I was referring to Cassius Clay acting out in the early 60s. Times were much different then. Racism was on the surface of our society. It had been only 15 years or so since Jackie Robinson had broken the color barrier in sport (other than boxing). As for the celebration that occurs these days, I think that many fans enjoy the antics and the color (pun intended) they add to the game. New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker scores a touchdown and makes a snow angel? Come on! That’s fun!

Your last sentence hits at the heart of my argument, and actually underscores my conclusion. The “societal norms” are different for blacks and whites. That’s precisely my point.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:22:52 +0000

If they don’t agree with the rules, then maybe they should go do something else. Instead of making millions of dollars every year just to play a game.

Also, you say that fans and the media disagree with their antics. So why defend so few people that make waves than go against societal norms?

By: Racial Identity: “Hapa” Obama | Steve Cotler's Irrepressibly True Tales

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:06:24 +0000

[...] comment by Lanny on my recent post (Rule Book Racism: Can a Black Athlete Celebrate?) deserves a full [...]

By: jason

jason — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:16:24 +0000

I am not an NFL or NBA owner, nor do I know any personally (or even by casual acquaintance), so I am not in a position to judge if their motives are racially-motivated. Even so, my knee jerk reaction is that the celebration penalties are considered unsportsmanlike, so that is why they are banned. Here’s why:

1. Nobody is penalized for natural celebrating with their teammates – in fact you see it all the time. Whites, blacks, asians, shouts, yells, hugs, headbutts, jumping butt smacks, you name it. I think anyone can hoot and holler all they want in joy. The penalties are primarily based on premeditated dances or actions intended to elicit specific (negative?) responses from the fans, opposing teams, or media. Perhaps the NFL and NBA don’t believe they are solely intended as a celebration.

2. Baseball. Generally considered a self-policing sport in terms of sportsmanship. Why isn’t this an issue then in baseball? Mostly white owners and lots of African American players. Are these players being held back from their natural emotions? Are MLB owners less racist and controlling (I doubt that!) Maybe, but it is interesting that it is almost never portrayed on the field – white or black. If baseball players can keep it off the field (the premeditated celebrations perceived to be poor sportsmanship), then why can’t the NBA and NFL? And I don’t buy the reason is because the NFL and NBA are more contact based – baseball players play with just as much passion as any other athletes, with of course the exception of the LA Dodgers.

3. The Haka Example. Two or three years ago the University of Hawaii football program was in the center of a controversy surrounding their short haka, a Maori war chant, before games. The Warriors were assessed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct in one game after the WAC officials saw the dance for the first time. The NCAA has rules against unsportsmanlike conduct, but none specifically mentions the haka. Seems now that they do the dance and nobody cares either way. It was later discovered that several NFL teams also perform the haka pre-game ritual, and since then, there aren’t any concerns or penalties for conducting it. So were the original WAC opinions racist and trying to oppress the Maori? I doubt it. I suspect that they assumed it was being done to intimidate the other team and might be perceived as poor sportsmanship from the other teams. I speculate that it isn’t an issue any more because all parties involved (meaning the other team) didn’t think it was unsportsmanlike.

But before I dismiss the racism claim, why are the premeditated celebrations conducted more frequently by African Americans than Caucasians? Also, has anyone asked these NFL and NBA players if they think it is racism? Perhaps answers to those questions would help shed some insight.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:07:45 +0000

I have responded to Lanny’s comment in a separate post:

http://stevecotler.com/tales/2008/12/12/racial-identity-hapa-obama/

By: Lanny

Lanny — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:03:00 +0000

You write: “A young, black, athletic man will soon be our president.” Why don’t you call him white? He’s just as much white as black.

Is my wife, Karina, yellow or white, Japanese or American? Her mother is 100% Japanese, and her father from Georgia is white with a touch of native american.