Race in Today's Society:

In today’s society, how can we engage openly in dialogues about ‘race’ and/or ‘racism?

              I grew up in Avon Lake, Oh a west side suburb of Cleveland, Oh that has a population of roughly 19,000 people of those people a handful are minorities. Growing up in this environment I often heard words that I now understand are illogical and represent stupidity on the part of people who unfortunately do not know better. As I began to look at universities to attend for college I made a trip to Fordham University in the Bronx. I quickly learned that this environment was completely different than anything that I had ever experienced. As a result I was immediately drawn toward the Bronx and ultimately decided to attend Fordham University.

              Now I have returned to Ohio and live in Bowling Green, Oh and work with the football team and as a result of my experiences in the Bronx I am much more equipped to work with players of all races. Further, I live with two African Americans a thought at one point in my life I would have not imagined. I experience race on a daily basis though despite my growth in handling matters of race certain ideas and topics are still not comfortable areas of discussion.

              Why? I am not completely certain though there seems to exist a certain understanding among not only myself but those I interact with that certain areas of race do not belong in casual conversation. These areas are a byproduct of ideologies that have been established throughout history and despite how comfortable I and or my roommates or players get with one another will not be talked about. Therefore, what I am trying to say is that although race dialogues have become more opened for me personally, there still exists a certain barrier. Do I think this barrier will ever be completely removed? No, though with each day the ability to discuss all areas of race increases.

Indian Wells Continued and Changed:

After witnessing the video of the atrocious actions of fans at Indian Wells on March 15, 2001. I want to change my outlook on the Williams sisters. Venus, Serena, and Richard Williams were all subjected to racist behavior. As you had mentioned in class racism exists in our society as we are all one race or another. Richard has not helped his daughter with some of his off the wall or controversial comments. However, the booing and acts of ignorance that occurred at Indian Wells were uncalled for.  I believe the Williams sisters are completely justified in not wanting to return to Indian Wells. Further, Dr. Spencer your theory that by not attending Indian Wells the Williams were affected negatively seem more than logical and quite justified.

The actions at Indian Wells were uncalled for and represent the worst within in our society. Relating this to the actions of Ben Johnson and his criticism for violating the Olympics substance abuse policy. Johnson a highly regarded sprinter was viewed as a national hero for a 48 hour period after winning the Olympic Gold medal for the 100 meter dash. Though after failing a drug test cheers and admiration quickly turned into booing and harsh criticism. The video viewed in class illustrated the idea of main culture media taking advantage of a situation. The media interviewed Johnson's relatives and did so in a less than appropriate manner. Overall, I think Johnson's situation differed from Gretzky on the basis of race. Although Gretzky did not use performance enhancing substances he left his country and embarrassed them similarly to Johnson. However, blame was put on the shoulders of others in Gretzky's situation whereas it was placed solely on Johnson's and as a great result I believe it was due to race as unfortunate as it sounds.

The situations of both the Williams’s sisters and Ben Johnson would have been greatly different if the athletes were not minorities. I hate to say this though I believe it would have. In conclusion, I believe until race of individuals is not a way to view individuals racism will exist and actions such as Indian Wells will continue to exist and plague our society.

"You Know Your From Cleveland"

Last Friday February 11, 2011 the Cleveland Cavaliers ended a 26 game losing streak beating the Los Angeles Clippers. What had once been a proud team has quickly become the laughing stock of the NBA. The Cleveland Indians have endured 3 straight 100 loss seasons and do not even get me started on the Cleveland Browns which has resulted in one letdown after another. Despite these awful teams Cleveland fans continue to show up and endure the pain. Why? Well I am from Cleveland and to me it is simply about loyalty. Last Friday I watched the Cavs game from the comfort of my home and celebrated as the Cavs had finally won. That’s when it hit me I was celebrating a team for ending a 26 game losing streak, I know instantly I was from Cleveland. As sad as it was I was happy to say that I am a Cleveland Sports Fan.

The Cavs, Indians, and Browns are awful though the hope of eventually winning keep me interested enough to endure loss after loss. I love Cleveland despite its porous reputation and will continue too despite rivers catching on fire and poor sports franchise Cleveland is home and will be and eventually it will be home of a champion at least I hope so. They were able to clean up the water and make sure it never caught fire again so maybe a sports championship could become reality. At least I hope so.

GO CLEVELAND SPORTS!!!

"Williams Sisters" Would their impact be so great, If they weren't?

Venus and Serena Williams are great tennis players. Simply look at their career victories and championships to see their on court success. However, too often what is looked at when discussing the talented sisters is their tight fitting clothing, braids, and muscular bodies. As noted by Daniels (2000) it is not unusual for Black athletes to be "celebrated in terms of a brute physicality and innate athleticism' (p.26) The Williams sisters are indeed athletic and muscular and in part that has contributed to their on court success but so has their understanding and intelligence concerning the game of tennis. A similar trend has been seen in football with the ideology that Black quarterbacks cannot process the game as quickly as white quarterbacks and as a result are not viewed as favorably. These beliefs represent a problem that still exists within our society Racism.

Historically, racism presented itself in forms other than sport, however now it is easily seen as was evident at Indian Wells on March 15, 2001 that sport provides a forum to unfortunately prove that beliefs of superiority and inferiority still exist along the lines of skin color. The Williams sisters were persecuted not because of their ability or skill but rather their skin color. Why? One may argue plain racism, however I am suggesting that the sisters were booed and tortured because they were successful. Had the sisters been mediocre players, issues of race would not be so prevalent. I may be wrong but unfortunately I believe my claims have merit.

White privilege has unfortunately made certain individuals believe their race is superior to others as a result of skin color differences. The Williams sisters play a game for the most dominated by whites and their success alarmed fans of the game who viewed the game as predominately white game. I am trying to convey that had the Williams sisters been average players who competed in tournaments and not won often that issues of racism would go under the radar. I am glad the Williams sisters have won and proved that White Privilege and ideas of superiority should no longer exist and that any form of racism are illogical and represent pure stupidity.

Sport represents a venue where change can be made and the more Williams sisters that exist the better off society will be. I believe the Williams sisters represent the best of our society and the manner in which they handle the horrible behavior at Indian Wells can be summed up as extraordinary. I know this much the Williams sisters are pioneers and need to be celebrated on their achievements not persecuted. They have opened many doors for many people who once though it impossible.

Dr. Spencer I would love to hear your thoughts!!

"The Muscular Body"

I grew up in a single parent household and my mother worked her tail off to provide my brother and me with a good and satisfying life. My mother is a certified dietician which would lead one to believe I grew up a healthy and fit young man. However, due to my mom's great work schedule demands as well as unwillingness to work out I ate extremely convenient food which often presented itself in the form of McDonald's, Burger King, etc. This took a tool on my body and by the time I was in 8th grade I weighed an embarrassing 354 pounds. I was so large playing football was essentially erased I went out and practiced but never really played due to my inability to move.

I entered my freshman year of high school big as ever and would have continued on my path had it not been for one day after school. Upon the suggestion of my high school football coach I went out for wrestling in hopes to shed some weight. I had been wrestling all season which up to that point was 3 months and had lost 15 pounds although not much to you that was an amazing amount to me. Then it happened I was practicing getting the tar kicked out of me as usual and my left leg snapped like a twig. I laid there in pain unable to move. After I had spent a  couple days in the hospital and been sent home my mom bought me a magazine called "Men's Health and Fitness" I flipped through the pages staring in amazement at this men who had lost weight and kept it off. In that instant I had made up my mind, I was going to lose weight.

 

I went on a strict liquid diet and once allowed began rehabbing every day and what started out as fun became a necessity I worked out every day for 3 hours after school doing anything and everything I could. The rehab process was grueling and time staking though when all was said and done I had lost 113 pounds and was in the best shape of my life. Although, I will never look like one of the pictures in Flex magazine I understand the journey I have been on and no one can take away my love for exercise and true understanding of its value.

Until next time...

"Super Bowl"

I have aspired to be a football coach for as long as I can remember. I want to learn anything and everything I possibly can about the great game. This search for knowledge began the second my playing career had ended. As a player I simply understood what I had to do in order to execute my assignment not really understanding why I needed to actually execute it.  I could not see the whole picture as coaches often call it. This inability bothered and has forced me to study football as much as humanly possible. With that said it would only be safe to assume that I love watching the Super Bowl the Mecca of football.

However, what was once a battle of the two best or luckiest (I'll let you be the judge) teams in football square off has become a glorified circus. Seemingly more important issues such as who is performing at halftime or what was your favorite commercial seem to overshadow the beauty on the field. Aaron Rodgers did not play a great game as he missed several throws and others were dropped by his skilled receivers (again I’ll let you be the judge). Though some of the throws he did make were amazing he seemed the ball throughout defenders to his receivers and is the reason the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I did enjoy watching the game and sad as it sounds didn’t even mind the halftime show. Though the point I am trying to make is that the Super Bowl needs to get back to football and focus less of its attention on the sideshows. One may argue this will hurt ratings, though I have to believe true fans of football who will invest in the NFL and as a result continue to generate a healthy profit for the league will continue to show up and support. Heck the city of Dallas paid $31 million just to host the game not including what they have paid for the construction of the new home of America's so-called team the Dallas Cowboys. I understand this may sound bitter though the X's and O's of football are beautiful and need to be fully appreciated.

Until next time.

"The New Boy"

The "narrative turn" as Rorty put it allows us as an individual person to share to others our thoughts, experiences, and opinions on matters. A narrative gives an author power to clearly and vividly remember and share details only he or she may have felt, remembered, or experienced. This point alone justifies the use of narratives but further promotes their ability to describe in ways other sorts of literature fall vastly short.

Duncan discusses the use of stories as a means of scholarly literature. Although, to some who argue that scholarly works must include hours upon hours of research and experimentation in order to justify validity, stories allow one to discuss more vital such as thoughts and emotions. Stories allow a writer and reader to connect. For example, I am writing my epiphany on losing a very important game, although other members in my class may not have heard, witnessed or experienced the actually game telling them the story may provide them with the opportunity to experience my personal emotions. Furthermore, it may evoke personal feelings as they too can relate in one way to the story.

In Duncan's story about Steven she describes being new to a school to readers regardless of whether or not you moved as a child throughout school everyone can relate to being new. The first day of class although many of us knew one another we were all knew to the class and the classroom setting in which we found ourselves. Additionally, the language Duncan(1997) uses in describing Steven provides further example for the need of stories "There was nothing exceptional about him no dopey clothes, no bad haircut, no scars or buckteeth-- he looked average, and that was a point in his favor.” ( p.1).

Using such language that could only truly be attained from a firsthand account allows an author to truly put readers in his or her shoes. That to me is the greatest benefit of narratives. Agree with me or not but imagine how great a story each of us could tell about our grade school years.

Until later