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VioletGray -> RE: White American only basketball league. (1/23/2010 1:32:34 PM)
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One point that I'm seeing brought up constantly is this idea that the "Miss Black America" pageant is the same thing as this whites only basketball league. Really? Here's one fundamental difference between the two:
When Miss Black America was started, young black girls had two options:
1.) Enter Miss Black America pageant.
2.) Enter the nothing at all pageant.
Are white players barred from the NBA? No. The guys hired to wear sneakers and put the ball in the little red hoop are black. But most of the coaches, team owners, most of the people who make the decisions are white. If there was ever a point in history where a young white kid who wanted to play basketball simply wasn't allowed, he would be completely justified in starting his own organization. But here and now, in 2010 There is no justification for it.
There is validity to the point that the Miss Black America pageant is outdated. But has been largely marginalized in the way that outdated ideas are meant to be. In fact, the ONLY time I ever hear it mentioned at all is when whites point to it as an example of how whites are discriminated against. But again, the main difference between this racist endeavor and Miss Black America, BET, the United Negro College Fund?
ALL of the others are justified in beginning in the first place.
LaFayette Lady said:
quote:
ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady
I read the article. They feel that whites are being discriminated against and want something soley for "whites."
How about you actually attempt to answer the question? Why do you seem to believe that only whites can and do engage in racism?
I hope that you realize that the very idea is ridiculous. One thing that is universal is that every ethnic group loves to see examples of "one of their own" being successful, especially in the domain of the "Other." It's why Eminem is so popular (Even Eminem has said this, in "White America") So if a "Great White Hope" came along and played the way Jordan played, the NBA would jump all over it.
Also, Where is it said, or even implied, that only whites are racist? I'm sure there are some people somewhere who believe that, but we can generally put those people in the same box with the people that believe God made colored people out of mud, and whites out of a more precious substance (Iiterally.)
Having said all that, this is my main problem with the venture, as quoted from the "Commisioner" of the league:
"Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of "street-ball" played by "people of color." He pointed out recent incidents in the NBA, including Gilbert Arenas' indefinite suspension after bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room, as examples of fans' dissatisfaction with the way current professional sports are run.
"Would you want to go to the game and worry about a player flipping you off or attacking you in the stands or grabbing their crotch?" he said. "That's the culture today, and in a free country we should have the right to move ourselves in a better direction."
Now, "Streetball," crotch-grabbing, flipping people off, these are all learned behaviors.
The definition of racism according to dictionary.com is:
"1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others."
He claims not to be racist, but by taking these unsavory behaviors and using whiteness as a contrast, he implies that the NBA players do these things not because they learned bad habits, but because it's their nature as black people.
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