Grading President Obama
In terms of President Obama’s ability to articulate and take action on his vision for America in one, year, I would issue a grade of B+. He has motivated millions across the globe to be more charitable, considerate, and reflective on our personal and national interests. Contrastingly, I would personally give him a grade of a C to mark the more free-thinking, activist, and liberal political stance that I thought and hoped he would bring to the White House. Mr. Obama is clearly a centrist and that is a dangerous position to have if his desire is to serve an additional four years. While his pit crew (the people that elected him) are screaming “Open it up! We’ve got your back,” he’s driving his Ferrari 35 mph. Is it a lack of political skill or political will for this seemingly gentle posture? Time will definitely tell. Nonetheless, many Americans remain hopeful for real change with his ideological path of appeasement and consensus-building.
Tiger Acting Like a Black Athlete Now?
Tiger Woods has a problem and now so do I. I was naïve to think that I could survive this holiday season of Tigervision with its seemingly minute-by-minute reports of his self-described transgressions. Every media outlet needs a story to remain viable in this world of at-your-touch news and Tiger’s naughtiness provides the perfect scoop. This tale probably has no beginning and quite possibly no end. However, my nerves became frayed and I saw the immediate end of my sideline observer role when I changed the channel and popped in on the Joy Behar Show. As they discussed the latest Tiger escapade, Ms. Behar cleverly asked for insight on how the African-American community might possibly feel about his sins. Her query was directed to a female African-American guest, Karith Foster, who calmly stated that Tiger was finally acting like a black athlete. Pump your brakes!
Although Ms. Foster’s listed occupation is comedian, she made her bold statement sans smile or giggle. She was very serious and obviously hurt by his choice of women in this scandal. She went on to describe how the black athlete needs a white woman – a trophy wife – to be successful. Ms. Foster’s understanding of the black male athlete is a stereotype and confusion-filled. Shame on her and the media for supporting the racist mindset that promulgates a representation of the black male athlete as a superhuman man that seeks sexual pleasure from every white female that worships his athletic prowess. Surely we in 2009 know better, right? Yes, the ESPNification of our sports world has created larger than life entertainment figures. Money, power and women. That’s the ticket out of a poor situation – mentally and physically. It is no longer satisfactory to score a touchdown and hand the ball to the referee or dunk the basketball and hustle back to play defense. Instead we see many of our athletes (and more likely a black man) showboating, drawing attention to themselves, and discounting the teamwork necessary to achieve such success. We as fans are drawn to the television waiting to see the clownish antics instead of running to the restroom or going back for more chips.
What has happened to sport? Or is that the very issue? It is no longer a game but rather an entertaining sitcom. Has our drive for personalities created this monster that we can no longer applaud? And to fan the flames even more, that black male athlete is then pictured at courtside, leaving the nightclub or the Hollywood awards show with a blonde haired, blue-eyed dame at his side. The racists cry out in disgust as their claims of the animalistic behavior of the black man requires the conquest of the virgin white woman. Thus, they must protect their defenseless and pure woman from the sexually charged black beast. The idealists see no color but only the expression of pure love between consenting adults. The rest of us pause, take note, and move on since there are much more pressing issues in our lives such as our ability to pay our mortgage or change the temperature in our office.
And now we have commentary to suggest that Tiger’s African genes are emerging from dormancy. So, he goes on a rampage to subjugate women. Hog wash! Most black male athletes are not chasing or keeping a harem of white women. They may not be married. They may not live the all-american lifestyle of a wife, house, and two kids either. Black male athletes are human and they are faced with pressures that are unimaginable for most. The exorbitant salaries they earn may appear to be a nice band-aid for all they are subjected to each and everyday, but didn’t we learn a long time ago that money couldn’t buy you happiness or manners?
Yes, I am a biased Tiger fan. I believe that he is not consciously excluding himself from blacks. Oftentimes our environment dictates our circle of friends and associates. Look at the demographics of the golf industry. How many black females attend golf tournaments or get invited to events whereby they could be introduced to Tiger-types? Not that it is required to be defined as a black man, but it is my understanding that he had a black girlfriend while attending Stanford. In addition, he certainly pays homage to the black golf greats through his writings and as a golfer. If one knows anything about the history of the media and its positive portrayal of African-Americans, one cannot expect an accurate picture of Tiger’s outreach to the black caddies and minority youth. It’s just not going to hit the front-page folks. And don’t think for a moment that the red and black outfit he wears on Sundays is not a strategic move either. Tiger is black. Tiger is Thai. Tiger is an athlete who made a mistake. He has a history of comebacks and success. I am confident that he will seek forgiveness from God and his wife. The former will grant that request and I hope that his marriage can survive. The black community also has a history of forgiveness for our lost and wayward members. We all cheered his victories and dominance in the white man’s game and now we should just as eagerly and earnestly pray for him. Certainly the executives of the PGA are praying since Tiger’s appearances and wins pays most of their bills. Tiger’s errant actions are no more typical of a black athlete as is his ability to hit his driver over 350 yards. He has motivated many of us to get fit, try the game of golf for the first time, and a new club or technique to improve our scores. Tiger is a motivator. Now let’s all get off the sidelines again to use this circumstance as inspiration to be critical thinkers in the midst of the media firestorm, to find sanity, and to apply our own personal life lesson.
