The Assassination of Trayvon Martin: A Victim of A.R.T. Descriptors

Polarizing racial events often capture this Nation’s attention. Often reminding us of U.S.’s deep dark racist secrets and continually making it evident that race still matters in the age of post-racial propaganda. Case and point: Trayvon Martin; A seventeen year old black male racially profiled, harassed, and gun down in Sanford, Florida while walking home. Black males have often been the victims of physical violence and death at the hands of whites because we are Black men. Racial profiling is not a new occurrence for Black communities. As Strange Fruit, populating southern trees we are all too familiar with racial profiling. Now it is either “driving while black” or “walking while Black,” we have been the targets of this nation’s mismanaged racial policies. George Zimmerman simply joins the list of terrorist who have troubled our existence and our desire to be both Black and American. Zimmerman’s assassination of Trayvon is a reenactment of the senseless violence and lynchings that have plagued the history of Black males on this continent.

Who are we to really blame for the Zimmermans of the America. Unfortunately, desegregation has only addressed some of the structural inequalities that were remnants of slavery and Jim Crow segregation. It did not address the ideological issues that prevail in the minds of Zimmermans who fail to evolve beyond their racist beliefs and stereotypes about Blacks. To them, we are racially profiled as either ATHLETES, RAPPERS, and/or THUGS (A.R.T Black male dominant descriptors). Each semester, I encounter cognitive dissonance when I stand in front of a class of predominantly white students who have framed black males using these A.R.T. descriptors. Their gaze alerts me to how they are struggling to disarm the racial filters they have constructed through, inappropriate socialization, limited racial interaction, and mis-education.

Trayvon unfortunately fit the description of a Thug to George Zimmerman. Therefore, while we are celebrating March Madness and cheering for teams comprised predominantly of Black male ATHLETES (who are generating millions of dollars for predominantly white institutions), PLEASE remember Trayvon Martin: a victim of A.R.T descriptors. We can never erase our racist past, but we can work to prevent a racist future for the future generations of Trayvon Martins by stopping the reproduction of Zimmermanites!

The Case of Manning and Tebow: The Harsh Reality of Professional Sports

The harsh reality of the professional sport world is visible in the Denver Broncos’ administration handling of Peyton Manning’s entry and Tim Tebow’s departure: strictly business, nothing personal.  It doesn’t matter that Tebow had an impressive impact on the Denver Broncos, the city of Denver, and developed a nation of Tebowmania followers.  All that matters is the bottom line and apparently Peyton Manning is a better choice of reaching the bottom line – i.e., taking the Broncos to the Super Bowl.

The lesson to be learned from this transaction is that professional sports, despite their entertainment appeal, despite their role as a formidable cultural practice in this country, they are strictly a business seeking to maximize profits.  Unfortunately, similar to other callous corporations, the transactions some professional sports make neglect to take into consideration the human element: fan support, players’ families, emotional and psychological well-being.  None of these factors really matter in the decision making when profit is the ultimate motive.  Besides, with the NFL having billionaire status, who will complain when players are treated and traded like properties on the stock exchange.  These players are multi-millionaires so they should man-up and live with these harsh reality of this industry, or try another profession – right?  It is hard to be sympathetic to multimillionaires and their plight when the 99%ers are squeaking out their existence in a daily grind with individuals who wish they could have traded to another universe. 

Well, I guess I am a bit naïve in thinking that in the midst of this business enterprise there may be a glimpse of compassion and loyalty in professional sports, where not only a player has loyalty to a team, but a team demonstrates loyalty to players.  The retirement of Hines Ward is an anomaly today in professional sports.  The mere thought of a player spending his entire career (14 years) with one franchise is unimaginable. Maybe I just need to wake up and face the harsh reality about the reality of professional sports.

Underdogs of the World Unite

A version of this piece appeared in the New York Times Room for Debate section on March 13, 2012. 

Each year during March Madness, it is always refreshing when mid-majors (e.g., Butler or George Mason) or academics-first institutions, like Harvard, make the bracket cut. It provides the average fan with an opportunity to identify with their plight.  Given the economic conditions of this nation, many Americans are feeling like underdogs – modern day Davids facing Goliaths. With the of predominance major conferences (SEC, ACC, Big 10, etc.), the appearance of smaller conference teams provides a redeeming element to this multibillion-dollar tournament and an opportunity for us to cheer for the underdog.

Underdogs aside, however, it’s hard for me to get excited about this tournament when the harsh reality is that less than 1% of the 380,000 student athletes in this country generates more than 90% of the yearly revenue for the N.C.A.A. Furthermore, over 60% of this “less than 1%” are African American males – the true underdogs. Academic achievement is the lowest among these athletes. It is not because of their academic inabilities but because of the athletic demands placed upon them.  Imagine if you were one of 12 employees whose abilities were responsible for generating millions of dollars each year for your athletic corporation. How much quality time and energy would you have to give to other activities?

Each year several reports are produced to highlight the incongruities in competitive college athletics, where dismal academic performances are overshadowed by athletic dominance. To offset this imbalance, more funding must go into the academic development and preparation of the labor force that is generating this revenue. For the 2010-11 fiscal year, the N.C.A.A. redistributed 61% of its revenue to Division I conferences. A meager 17% went to student/academic specific funds: 5% was earmarked for the Academic Enhancement Fund and 12% went to the Student-Athlete Assistance Fund. In order to support and focus on the student in “student”-athletes and restore the Collegiate in National “Collegiate” Athletic Association, the N.C.A.A. and its Division I conference member institutions must put academics at the center of revenue distribution and reduce the economic exploitation of the “student” athlete.

Jeremy Lin and the Politics of Race and Difference in Professional Sport

The recent wave of Linsanity has prompted much discussion in the popular press and beyond.  It provides insight into the politics of race in the U.S., and America’s unending search for the Great “White” or “non-Black” Hope.  

Jeremy Lin, a 6’3” point guard from Palo Alto who was Ivy League educated, not recruited by any major university, released by two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams, is currently playing fanatically for the New York Knicks.  He is temporarily assisting some in that search.

He has created a sort of cult following: from Lin naysayers, non-NBA fans, non-sport fans, to die-hard NBA fanatic.  Headlines across this nations’ newspapers have tried to capture this craze in one-word phrases and one-liners like: LINsanity, LINcredile, Amasian, LINning Streak, LIN Your Face, The LINderalla Story, LIN Long and Prosper, LIN & Bear It, or “Jeremy Lin, and the New York Knicks.” 

He clearly has been a surprise and a redeeming factor in a league that started late due to a lock-out as a result of a dispute between owners and players over revenue sharing and salary cap issues.  In the midst of dwindling fan support, surfaces a young talented yet virtually unknown who has ignited a new interest in the NBA and increased ticket sales for the Knicks, as well as, increased the sale of merchandise for sport paraphernalia entrepreneurs.  Being of Chinese and Taiwan decent makes him basically an anomaly in a league where athletes of Asian decent makeup only 1%, while 82% of the players are African American.

These racial demographics provide a context to examine the politics of race and racial perception.  Jeremy Lin is an average NBA player.  However, his race and educational pedigree trumps his ability, creating a unique situation where he is marketed and mass consumed as the Messiah to the NBA.  Unfortunately, the commodification and exploitation of his “uniqueness” is being done in spite of his humble and modest nature. 

The entrance of Blacks in predominantly white sports has not encountered the same type of instant popularity.  Serena and Venus Williams are examples of how they had to prove themselves by winning tournaments and championships.  It was their exceptional abilities and performance that lessen the impact of their difference.   

Finally, what is the connection with the media’s addiction in comparing Lin with Tim Tebow?  Is Tebow the standard for Christian excellence in professional sports, white male athletic excellence, or the Great White Hope for the NFL? “Come on man”.  “You can not be Serious.”

Before we are easily enticed by the commodification of difference, and before we gullibly consume the latest fad of celebrating ethnic diversity in the NBA, remember how it also works to reinforce racial division and racial stereotyping.  How we illuminate and market racial difference can cause diversity to be a distraction rather than a gift.