This blog was created by Randy Quistorff
...When Tiger Woods starting winning golf tournaments in the Professional Golfers Association, pressure started to mount for him to designate what racial group he was a part of. After winning the 1997 Masters the pressure put on Woods by the media to identify what racial group he was a part of intensified. When appearing on Oprah, Tiger tried to put the racial questions to rest by saying he was "Cablinasian", which was a word Tiger made up to describe all of his ethnic background. As a result of Tiger's Cablinasian statement, many African-Americans were calling Tiger a sell out and telling him he had committed one of the greatest crimes a black person can make: not being "black enough. Having failed to difuse the situation, Tiger turned serious and issue a stern and pointed statement, which he claimed would be the the final and only comment he would make on the issue: "My parents have taught me to always be proud of my ethnic background. Please rest assured that is and will always be the case. Truthfully, I feel very fortunate and EQUALLY PROUD, to be both African American and Asian. The critical and fundamental point point is that ethnic background and/or composition should NOT make a difference. It does NOT make a difference to me. The bottom line is that I am an American...and proud of it! That is who I am and what I am. Now, with your cooperation, I hope I can just be a golfer and a human being"...[Information taken from Shaun Powell's book Souled Out? pgs 150-151)] Do athletes "owe" it to society to be a part of a certain racial and ethnic group?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
To be apart of a certain racial and ethnic group is what I consider heritage. I am an English American technically. But I just consider myself as an American. During my collegiate playing days I never once referred to myself as any other thing but an American. I am in agreement with you on the topic how people should refer to themselves as Americans (the place where they were born) vs the place that someone in there previous family was born or from. As Americans we have our own heritage and rights as a free nation which makes us different from every other nation in the world.
ReplyDeleteI don't think athletes "owe" society much of anything, other than to perform to the best of their abilities in their sport. I tend to agree with Charles Barley's stance that he shouldn't be forced to be a role model just because he's a well known athlete. If an athlete wants to assume that role, that's fine, but it's not something they should be forced into. Frankly, I don't think society would want some athletes to serve as role models. Some might contend that Tiger Woods, given his recent personal difficulties, shouldn't be held up as a role model for any group.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Kevin's first sentence stating that we dont "owe" society some sort of "peace of mind" that we belong to a certain racial or ethnic group. I think if Tiger were to say "Yes I am fully black" or "Yes I am fully asian" just to please others, then he would only be dissapointing himself and his unique background. No matter what Tiger says or what anyone says with a diverse background, there are ALWAYS going to be people badgering what you say and considering you a sell-out to that certain race, ect, ect.. It is impossible to please everyone. The book "Souled Out" by Sean Powell describes how some athletes turn against people of their own color in support of racial ideologies.For instance, a quarterback who has conducted himself professionally and whose style of play is more conventional is somehow ‘less black’ then a mouthy, belligerent receiver who can’t resist putting on a show in the end zone. This kind of warped thinking supports an old and self defeating attitude in parts of black society, that someone who speaks good English and is educated has lost his or her racial identity. Terrell Owens acts a certain way and is definitely a black man, whereas, Donovan McNabb doesn’t and he is not black enough (Powell 2008). So each person I think defines their race and/or ethnic group in different terms, so no matter what Tiger says, someone would have something negative to say in return.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't like the fact that we as americans have to classify ourselves to a certain racial group or ethnicity that the majority of us have never been. I am personally classified as an African American. However i have never been to africa nor do i know much about their culture. I feel if an individual was born in America, raised in america and lives an american lifestyle then that person is american. Tiger shouldn't have apologize for being partially Black and Asian. In fact, what role does his ethnicity play in sports? Does that define his ability to play golf. Would it be easier to classify every athlete based on their ethnicity? To me its not right and shouldn't exist in sports.
ReplyDeleteI believe an athlete doesn't have to say they belong to a certain ethnic group. Whats wrong with being proud of your entire ethnic background? I believe in the case of Tiger Woods he has every right to be proud of being African-American and Asian. If some in the African-American communinty don't like the fact Tiger is proud of his Asian ethnicity, than too bad.
ReplyDeleteMichael Jordan is widely regarded as the best NBA basketball player of all time. Jordan came along in the mid eighties and instantly became a star on the basketball court and off. Many people felt Jordan played things too "safe" and never did anything to help out the African-American community like say Jackie Robinson did in baseball. Jordan was one of the first athletes that was put on tv and was accepted in every househould...not just in the African-American household. Jordan made more money off the court than he did on the court but he never really got himself involved in any major issues. Jordan knew and understood if he stood in the "mainstream" he would make a lot of money and be accepted by just about everyone. The main criticism heard by Jordan came from the African-American communinty. Many in the African-American community felt he didn't use his power and clout to make any major social changes. The question has to be asked, is it ok for our society to expect athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to be agents for social change?
I agree with Coach Thomas and with Tiger. If you were born here, then your are American and that is all anyone should need to know. If the athlete wants to go deeper in their culture and be an advocate for certain racial groups than the athlete is welcome, but I do not think that athletes "owe" anything to society except, just like keving said, but playing their best.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel that athletes owe it to society or anyone else to identify with a certain racial or ethnic group. Professional athletes are paid for their athletic abilities and performing on the field, court, or course. However, I feel as though athletes who are members of minority groups have a lot of people in those racial or ethnic groups rooting for them simply because the athlete belongs to their same ethnic or racial group. I also think about children of minority groups and how they may idolize an athlete, simply becuase they are the same race and the child sees how that athlete worked hard to beat the odds of oppression. I don't feel as though athletes owe it to people to identify with a race, but I feel as though they should realize how some people in their community look to them for hope.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that I do not believe athletes “owe” anything to society, specifically to a racial group. However, I find it so ironic that we expect athletes of different racial backgrounds to be the agents of change for society, yet we do not expect the same of “white” athletes. There is a double standard in athletics that anyone but a white athlete needs to be an advocate for other members of their racial group. I do not believe this is fair. If the athlete wants to use their power and success to help others, that is their decision. Nevertheless, I do believe that as you become successful as an athlete, you become a role model. The athlete may now want this, but it is part of what happens as you become successful and you must learn to deal with the consequences of this status.
ReplyDeleteThe opposite of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods on racial issues is Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson is one of the most well know and recognized players in the National Basketball Association. Iverson is well known for his “cool pose”: Presentation of self organized around unique, expressive, and conspicuous style designed to achieve a sense of significance and respect through interpersonal strategies. Allen Iverson is a hero to fans of all colors, and not only because he is a terrific scorer, exciting player, and courageously sacrifices his body every night. He has also developed a cult status because of the way he looks, speaks, and thumbs his nose at authority. Despite his grim background and his disregard for the mainstream, Iverson made no apologies for tweaking authority figures, being cited for carrying a concealed weapon, or being accused of threatening to kill a family member during a domestic dispute. He felt he owed it to himself to be himself, no matter what images is sent, and he owed it to the many kids in Hampton who grew up like him. The companies that flocked to Iverson did so largely because he had “street cred” and his credibility made him Reebok’s biggest basketball spokesman. Regardless of any negative connotations that came with Iverson’s actions, “street cred” meant money, and no company ever turned down the chance to make as much money as possible. Iverson’s “cool pose” made him a household name with million and millions of young people all over the world and as a result they bought his shoes like he was the basketball Jesus (Powell, 2008).
ReplyDeleteIn your opinion, who is in the right here? Michael Jordan and Tiger woods want to stay in the mainstream and as a result they have and still make a ton of money. Allen Iverson says he owes it to himself and his fans to be himself...even if that means lipping off to authority figures, threatning to kill a family member, or carrying concealed weapons. Some in the African-American community see Jordan and Tiger as sell outs while those same people see Iverson as someone who is true to his race. Who do you think is right? Is it ok for an athlete to stay in the "mainstream" and make millions and millions of dollars or does an athlete need to be an advocate for his/her racial background and issues and stay true to his/her race?
I would have to agree with Tiger and Jordan not Iverson. How is Iverson being true to his race by lipping off to authority figures, threatning to kill a family member, or carrying concealed weapons"? I understand being true to yourself but there is a line where enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteI agree that athletes do not owe the American society a statement or apology. Each one of us, famous or not, is who we are. Do I need to apologize for who I am? Do you need to apologize for who you are? NO!
ReplyDeleteI like Coach Thomas' take. Why should the color of your skin matter to sports. Tiger doesn't shoot low scores because of the color of his skin, he does it because of the time and hard work he has put in over years of training. On the other hand, I see where a race or ethnicity may take offense to an athlete not saying "I'm black or I'm Asian, etc..." Individuals want people they can look up to and say "look what Tiger Woods is accomplishing, he's ______ and so am I. I can do it too." People are always looking for someone to emulate or model themselves after, and in people's minds its easier if those individuals are of the same race and or ethnicity.
While this doesn't have to do with race, talking about being American made me think of the movie Miracle. There is a scene after a game the USA should have won, where Brooks has the team skate "killers or crushers." He keeps asking the men who they play for. Every time it is the same thing, the play for this or that college. It isn't until one of the players mutters "Mike Eruzione and I play for the United States of America!" End of scene. It took a long time, but in the end Brooks got thinking not as individuals but as a team = AMERICANS!
I believe that everyone is proud of their heritage and can use sports to express who they are. Race shold never play a factor when regarding athletic ability. Often, successful athletes with a different background or race can be seen as a inspiration. Like Zac mentioned above, we don't view Tiger Woods as a specific race, we view him as a great athlete and golfer. We identify him bacause of his talent not his skin color.
ReplyDeleteThis falls back into a lot of what I feel we have written about in the majority of our reflection papers; Dealing with and challenging established ideologies. These ideologies, be it race, gender, social class, etc., have come to define who we are and influencing labeling. As mentioned by one of our peers above, we should not be defined for what we look like or the reputation or our ancestory, but for who we are as individuals.
ReplyDeleteRace definately plays a role in influencing spectators and fans. They want to be able to imulate and be represented by a successful athlete whom they can identify with. However, when giving credit to an athlete for the success they have, give it in terms of that individual and their talents.
I personally have no fault with Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods because I believe they both had a good grasp of what would make them a ton of money and what would get them into some "hot button" issues which might get them into trouble. I do have a problem with Allen Iverson...not that he is being true to himself and his people...but to the fact he doesn't seem to get the fact he is a role model and when kids see him flipping people off and doing what ever he wants to who ever he wants isn't right. I believe an athlete can stay true to his race, make a lot of money, and not have to act like a two year old to get credibility in his/her race.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very tough subject because we can all say we were born and raised as "americans". But that is a little bit too easy because we certainly don't treat each other in that fashion. Athletes being role models is a tough thing as well. Allen Iverson doesn't bother me, because I can tell my boys, look at him and all his talent and all people talk about is what a thug he is? But the issue becomes kids who don't have a parent who will tell them that. So I would say Iverson has a certain responsibilty as a role model. But let me ask this question....who gets to determine which role model is behaving properly? What if Iverson believes he is acting how a black man should be acting? How am I as a white guy who grew up in north dakota supposed to judge him. How about the people who pushed Iverson's shoes because of his street cred? Aren't they endorsing his behavior? Or the team that paid him millions of dollars because he could lead them to play in the NBA Finals. Who is a more genuine person..Iverson or Tiger......Iverson might not be genuine in the way you want him to but at least he wasn't be a phony
ReplyDeletePoor behavior is poor behavior regardless of color.
ReplyDelete