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.
I think there is more than simply race when it comes to the different reactions between the Gretzky and Ben Johnson situatiuons. Ben Johnson, ultimately cheated and used steroids. I don't respect anyone who used steroids to gain an athletic advantage. That has nothing to do race. Whether it was Mark McGwire or Ben Johnson, a steroiod user is a cheater.
ReplyDeleteConversly, Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to Los Angeles. Yes, Gretzky played a role in the trade by helping to work a deal between him and Los Angeles, but it really was not his fault. The owner of the Oilers, Pocklington, could no longer afford to pay Gretzky. Pocklington, due to some bad losses in some business ventures, had to sell off Gretzky for his own sake. It was truly Pocklington who turned his back against the fans and Canada. Gretzky was merely a chess piece that was forced to move by the will of the owner.
Even after "The Trade", Gretzky has continued to represent his country very well. Gretzky continues to bring great glory to Canada by serving as its Olympic Director of the Men's Ice Hockey Program for the 2002 and 2006 Olympics.
I think its unfair to say that race was the most important factor in the different reactions between Gretzky and Johnson. It would have been interesting to see the differences if Gretzky was Black and Johnson was White. Perhaps it might have been different, but we will never know. All I know is, that Johnson cheated and Gretzky did not.
For starters, if Gretzky were black, chances are very good that he would not have played hockey and would not have represented the quintessential meanings of being Canadian. I do believe that race is a critical element in how Ben Johnson and the Williams' sisters have been treated, but I also think nationality has something to do with it. Why did the references to Johnson as Jamaican-Canadian increase after he was found to use steroids? On the other hand, why have we never heard references to either of the Williams sisters as "American sweethearts?"
ReplyDeleteDr. Spencer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your excellent points. It is ironic that the Williams sisters have never been referred to as "American Sweethearts" and Ben Johnson was referred to as Jamacian-Candian. I have a question for you: If the Williams sisters were a minority other than African American do you think they would be more fully embraced and labled as American Sweethearts. For example, Michelle Wie was embraced in her atttempts in golf and she never attained the success levels of the Williams sisters. Would Michelle Wie been presecuted had she won several tournaments?
I hope you area able to provide some further insight.