It's time someone addresses it. Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena, recently opened up and let another bizarre racial rant fly out of his mouth. No stranger to such diatribes, it's time that someone just steps up and states the obvious....this man is a racist.
Not a big shock you say? Follow the Don Imus controversy last year and it is easy to see that white against black racism is no longer tolerated. Does it still happen? Of course it does. Do the civil leaders like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton tolerate it? No way. These guys went after the Imus Show team until they were fired from their jobs and were proud of what they accomplished.
In case you missed this event, (and thanks to a pandering national press you probably will be able to) Williams was bemoaning the plight of his incredibly successful daughters in the tennis world by saying, "Well, I’m black and I’m prejudiced, very prejudiced. People are prejudiced in tennis. I don’t think Venus or Serena was ever accepted by tennis. They never will be.” Following that comment he said, "But if you get some little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert, who cannot hit the ball, they (the media) will claim this is great.”
Is he a racist? Don't take anyone else's word for it; he is the one that says he's black and prejudiced. There's no room to dance out of this remark any more than Isaiah Thomas' explanation that he was ok with black men calling black women the "b-word" but that he wouldn't stand idly by while a white man did it? Anyone see Sharpton's reaction to that? He threatened a boycott against the Knicks, but accepted Thomas' justification of the comments. No screaming for him to be fired or held in public scorn. Will it be any different with Richard Williams? Of course not.
Is there still racism against the black community? Absolutely. Two of my dearest friends in the world are black and I know they experience it. As a white man, have I experienced racism? Yes I have. I now live in a country where I represent about 5% (or less) of the population and I have experienced my share racial slurs, racial profiling by the police and discrimination.
The truth of racism is that it exists everywhere on earth. This is a part of the human condition. How we deal with it is the key. If we no longer accept it against one group, doesn't that standard exist for all groups? Shouldn't the Al Sharpton's of the world be just as outraged when a black person spouts racism against a white person?
One thing to ponder. The NAACP is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In the scientific sense, neither white nor black is a color...shouldn’t this organization be concerned with the advancement of ALL people? Racism is a horrible condition whether it comes from the white lips of Don Imus or the black lips of Richard Williams. It's time for everyone to confront this problem as the two-way street that it is.
viernes, 21 de marzo de 2008
jueves, 20 de marzo de 2008
The Last to Know
As a life-long Indiana Pacers' fan and a Michael Jordan fan, it has always been easy to hate the New York Knicks. The battles that they put up against "my teams" were always bitter, but so exciting that it used to be a respectful hate. Thanks to the current regime in New York, I have been able to change my opinions. Don't get me wrong; I still feel just as strongly against the Knicks as ever. The difference is that now I have complete distaste for a group that is horrible and the last to know why they become that way.
It would be logical to argue that this current disaster known as the Knicks is the fault of Jim Dolan, the owner, or the bizarre collection "talent" loosely referred to as a team. But unless you are in a fog thicker than LA on a calm day, you've figured it out what the Knicks are the last to know.... the problem is Isaiah Thomas.
Bloated salaries, stupid trades, sexual harassment in the Garden and Larry Brown.... I'm sure no one needs any more proof of the work of Isaiah the president than these things. This season's record, last season's record and the free-for-all that the Knicks have become speak volumes about the work of Isaiah the Coach.
Think it's a fluke? Look at Zeke's track record since the day after he shed that blue #10 Piston's jersey. His first disaster was the train-wreck he created with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Moving to a different country and having the Logo, Jerry West, run the team couldn't even fix things. After that Isaiah purchased the CBA and ran it into the ground; an attempted assassination that only the NBA itself could prevent. Finally, Thomas broke down the Indiana Pacers, who rose up after he was fired and marched to the NBA Finals under Larry Bird.
Will Isaiah survive the end of this season? Not if David Stern has anything to say about it. Only Godzilla caused more destruction in the Garden than Isaiah Thomas. By the way, as a Pacers' fan the scene when the Air Force blows up the Garden is the most touching moment in cinematic history! The Knicks may be the last to know, but Isaiah Thomas needs to go.
It would be logical to argue that this current disaster known as the Knicks is the fault of Jim Dolan, the owner, or the bizarre collection "talent" loosely referred to as a team. But unless you are in a fog thicker than LA on a calm day, you've figured it out what the Knicks are the last to know.... the problem is Isaiah Thomas.
Bloated salaries, stupid trades, sexual harassment in the Garden and Larry Brown.... I'm sure no one needs any more proof of the work of Isaiah the president than these things. This season's record, last season's record and the free-for-all that the Knicks have become speak volumes about the work of Isaiah the Coach.
Think it's a fluke? Look at Zeke's track record since the day after he shed that blue #10 Piston's jersey. His first disaster was the train-wreck he created with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Moving to a different country and having the Logo, Jerry West, run the team couldn't even fix things. After that Isaiah purchased the CBA and ran it into the ground; an attempted assassination that only the NBA itself could prevent. Finally, Thomas broke down the Indiana Pacers, who rose up after he was fired and marched to the NBA Finals under Larry Bird.
Will Isaiah survive the end of this season? Not if David Stern has anything to say about it. Only Godzilla caused more destruction in the Garden than Isaiah Thomas. By the way, as a Pacers' fan the scene when the Air Force blows up the Garden is the most touching moment in cinematic history! The Knicks may be the last to know, but Isaiah Thomas needs to go.
martes, 18 de marzo de 2008
Worthy of Praise
I am a fan of a few things.....humor, love and the NBA. What kind of a combination is that? Anyway, my thoughts at this moment are on the amazing winning streak that the Houston Rockets have accomplished. With their upcoming battle with the league-leading Boston Celtics at hand, now is the time to mention a squad that is truly worthy of praise.
Always a respectable team lead by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets just never quite seemed to make it over the hump. This year looked the same for the Rockets, members of the brutal Western Conference. Just as it seemed they were going to fall into another mediocre season, they started winning.....and winning they have done! Already riding an impressive streak, the Rockets' hopes seemed to disappear with a season-ending injury the Ming.
The only problem is that someone forgot to tell the Rockets that hope was lost. This team does things the right way; rebounding, defense and team play following the lead of their superstar McGrady. Heading into the showdown with the Celtics, the Rockets currently own the second longest winning streak in league history. While they have been labeled by some as “the worst great team in the history of the NBA”, the Rockets have just gone about their business.
Many people like to bash the NBA, labeling the league and its players as greedy, lazy showboats. While there may be things that people don’t like, now is the time that even the haters should find something that they can appreciate in the NBA. Even if the Celtics end the Rockets amazing run, everyone should see them as an amazing team and one that is truly worthy of praise for what they have accomplished.
Always a respectable team lead by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets just never quite seemed to make it over the hump. This year looked the same for the Rockets, members of the brutal Western Conference. Just as it seemed they were going to fall into another mediocre season, they started winning.....and winning they have done! Already riding an impressive streak, the Rockets' hopes seemed to disappear with a season-ending injury the Ming.
The only problem is that someone forgot to tell the Rockets that hope was lost. This team does things the right way; rebounding, defense and team play following the lead of their superstar McGrady. Heading into the showdown with the Celtics, the Rockets currently own the second longest winning streak in league history. While they have been labeled by some as “the worst great team in the history of the NBA”, the Rockets have just gone about their business.
Many people like to bash the NBA, labeling the league and its players as greedy, lazy showboats. While there may be things that people don’t like, now is the time that even the haters should find something that they can appreciate in the NBA. Even if the Celtics end the Rockets amazing run, everyone should see them as an amazing team and one that is truly worthy of praise for what they have accomplished.
sábado, 15 de marzo de 2008
Know What You Have
Everybody has heard, "You never know what you have until you lose it." Even in Spanish "Nunca sabes lo que tienes hasta lo que pierdes" makes things pretty clear.....if you speak Spanish, that is. The point is that you should celebrate the things that are special to you each and every day. In my case today’s celebration is of three people who, even though they are far away from me on the map, are great friends and very close to my heart.
Because of my life’s wanderings, I found myself in Raleigh, North Carolina for about ten years. A great city, Raleigh was where I met Ron Brown. “Mr. Brown” as I usually call him, started out as a co-worker but became a truly great friend. Rarely in this life have I had someone that I felt I could count on no matter what happened, but Mr. Brown is that kind of person. No matter whether I need a favor or a well-timed, albeit good-natured insult to keep me grounded, Mr. Brown is really the kind of friend that everyone wishes they had.
Another treasure that I uncovered at the same workplace was a burly West Virginian named Mike Bell. This guy is as country as going barefoot or picking the banjo, but that country side blended perfectly with his common sense and Christian values to give me the kind of counselor I probably always needed. Mike teamed up with Mr. Brown to make sure that “el guapo” never got too far out of control!
Teresa Manns is the other incredible discovery I made while I was in Raleigh. If I ever found a friend that was more like a soul mate, Teresa is that person. You wouldn’t think it to look at us, but “Slim Tee” is like my twin sister from a different mother. We just connect and even if we don’t talk for a while I know that one phone call and it’s just like old times. Teresa is one of those people that I believe can do anything she chooses and I don’t think there is anything in this world that stand in her way.
Some people don’t know what they have until they lose it. Even though I am not in Raleigh anymore, I am not one of those people. I have three incredible friends and I will never forget how truly blessed I am for that. It’s been said that a true friend is a treasure and if that is true, I am much wealthier in this life than Bill Gates or anyone else with money could ever be.
Because of my life’s wanderings, I found myself in Raleigh, North Carolina for about ten years. A great city, Raleigh was where I met Ron Brown. “Mr. Brown” as I usually call him, started out as a co-worker but became a truly great friend. Rarely in this life have I had someone that I felt I could count on no matter what happened, but Mr. Brown is that kind of person. No matter whether I need a favor or a well-timed, albeit good-natured insult to keep me grounded, Mr. Brown is really the kind of friend that everyone wishes they had.
Another treasure that I uncovered at the same workplace was a burly West Virginian named Mike Bell. This guy is as country as going barefoot or picking the banjo, but that country side blended perfectly with his common sense and Christian values to give me the kind of counselor I probably always needed. Mike teamed up with Mr. Brown to make sure that “el guapo” never got too far out of control!
Teresa Manns is the other incredible discovery I made while I was in Raleigh. If I ever found a friend that was more like a soul mate, Teresa is that person. You wouldn’t think it to look at us, but “Slim Tee” is like my twin sister from a different mother. We just connect and even if we don’t talk for a while I know that one phone call and it’s just like old times. Teresa is one of those people that I believe can do anything she chooses and I don’t think there is anything in this world that stand in her way.
Some people don’t know what they have until they lose it. Even though I am not in Raleigh anymore, I am not one of those people. I have three incredible friends and I will never forget how truly blessed I am for that. It’s been said that a true friend is a treasure and if that is true, I am much wealthier in this life than Bill Gates or anyone else with money could ever be.
viernes, 14 de marzo de 2008
Welcome to 15 Random Musings
Let's Talk!
Welcome to the premier dose of 15 Random Musings. The objective here is simple; somebody made the mistake of kicking a soapbox too close to me and so now I'm going to step up on it. 15 Random Musings will be a conglomeration of opinions, thoughts, emotions.....well, random musings of a cluttered mind!
My goal is to touch on the things that interest me and hopefully everyone else too. Maybe politics, maybe religion, maybe women....in other words, a bunch of subjects I don't understand!
15 Random Musings is going to change the blog world (either good or bad) forever!
Stay Tuned,
ME
Welcome to the premier dose of 15 Random Musings. The objective here is simple; somebody made the mistake of kicking a soapbox too close to me and so now I'm going to step up on it. 15 Random Musings will be a conglomeration of opinions, thoughts, emotions.....well, random musings of a cluttered mind!
My goal is to touch on the things that interest me and hopefully everyone else too. Maybe politics, maybe religion, maybe women....in other words, a bunch of subjects I don't understand!
15 Random Musings is going to change the blog world (either good or bad) forever!
Stay Tuned,
ME
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