Racism in Sports Prt. 2

Yesterday in class we had an interesting debate about what happened to the Williams sisters at Indian Wells and if it was racism and if people thought they were right for boycotting the event. I think it was racism and like the other Scott said they stood up for what they believed in. I was surprised that some classmates said it wasn't a big deal and the Williams sisters should play there. For over 200 years my ancestors were enslaved. They were called inferior and whites considered themselves superior. Even after slavery ended blacks were still considered inferior to whites. There was segregation and blacks didn't get the same opportunites as white people. In the last 50 to 60 years things have come a long way. There is no longer segregation and it is against the law to discriminate based on race. So when I see Tiger Woods dominating in golf or even a black general manager it makes me happy, because I know society has come a long way. I cried when Obama got elected, because if you would have asked anyone seventy or eighty years ago if a black man could be president people would have said no, because their not smart enough.

So when you fast forward to Indian Wells and racial slurs are being thrown at Serena it made me sad. The girl in class that said it isn't a big deal and people said people talked about her fathers job can't compare that to how the Williams family was treated. People in class don't realize that for 300 years African Americans were looked down upon and thought less of than whites just because of the color of their skin. They were forced to work for free, beaten, raped, and thought of as property. So when someone that is not black says the N word it is very disrespectful and I am ready to fight them on the spot. When any black person is attacked I feel like they are attacking me too.

Racism in Sports

I just read the Indian Wells article about Venus and Serena Williams. Venus and her father were treated badly in 2001 after Venus withdrew in the semifinals before her match with her sister Serena. The crowd booed the Williams family and made racial remarks towards them. It was so bad that the Williams sisters refuse to play at the Indian Wells tournament today.

One sports figure that I have always looked up to is Jackie Robinson. I am not a baseball fan, so it isn't because of his talent. He went through so many things when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Even his own teammates, fans, and coaches were negative towards him. Jackie ignored everyone and just played baseball and was one of the best players in the league. He paved the way for future African Amercians in every sport.

Today racism isn't as bad as back then, but it still exist. Terrelle Pryor has gotten criticized brutally this year. I can't think of any other Ohio State quarterback that has had this much pressure on him. When Donovan McNabb got injured a couple years ago and Jeff Garcia took over fans were very happy. They even started booing McNabb. It didn't make sense, because he got the Eagles to 4 NFC Championships and a superbowl since 2000. Also the only team that has won more games since he has been the quarterback of Philadelphia is New England. Finally some of the things that I have heard people say about Michael Vick have been appauling. I notice it's more with black quarterbacks. Other than that I don't think it is really racism today. Finally Barry Bonds is treated like a criminal for steroids when a lot of players have tested positive including Alex Rodriguez.

Firm but shapely, fit but sexy, strong but thin

I just got done reading the "Firm but shapely," article for class. Pirkko Markula says, "If only slim and toned women are attractive, most women with normal figures are classified as unattractive" (p425). Markula adds, "Consequently, to look attractive in this society, the majority of us (women) have to engage in activities- like dressing, applying makeup, dieting, exercising" (p425). I agree with Markula that a lot of women think like that. I have had female friends, girlfriends, and family that have thought that way. The majority of females that I have known have been insecure. I use to not understand it because, it would be smart, attractive, nice girls and they would say negative things about themselves. For example I had a girlfriend that said she was fat and she had a flat stomach! I think society has created a false image of what is a beautiful female. Almost every woman on television is thin and has on tons of make up. Women should be comfortable with themselves no matter what size they are. I think personality is the most important trait. It was nice to hear that aerobics helped improve the ladies self esteem in the article.

Homecoming

Last Friday I went to two of the homecoming symposium speeches. I went to the one where Nate from the Cleveland Indians spoke in Eppler and I went to the speech in the Student Union Theatre where there was a discussion panel. Nate's speech was about being sucessful. I liked hearing about the things he did to get to his position in Public Relations. He said that he had 3 internships and was working low paying jobs and had non challenging work when he first started for the Indians. He also talked about that there are two sides of pro organizations, the business side and the team operations side. If I worked in the pro's I would work for an NBA team and would want to work in the basketball operations side. I would love to be a scout, coach, or anything working directly with the team.

The discussion panel had seven people who worked in the sport industry. Some of the professionals said that if they could have done college all over again that they would have been more involved by volunteering in the Athletic Office or getting experience in other ways. However I think it's tough to volunteer for positions in college, because it is so expensive and a lot of college students also don't have time like that, because a lot just try to work full or part time to live a simple life. One of the professionals said that it is very important to be professional. Most of the panel touched on how much influence references have in hiring. If they know someone mutual that you know and they ask them about you then they will take the mutual persons recommendation very seriously. Bob Mathakaw said that when he looks at resumes he wants to see other things just besides a degree. Another guy said he doesn't understand when a student doesn't have volunteer work and intenships on his resume, because he said it's easy when your in college. I kind of disagree with him, because he made it like it was so easy to volunteer and intern. I think if you have money then it is, but if you don't then it can be difficult.