Open MIC: Come To Think of It: Racism in Sports Is Alive and Well

• An NFL HOF’er, the late Reggie White, had insulting things to say about Jews.

• From the NBA, an example of racism in reverse is Charles Barkley, who once said, "That's what I hate about F-cking White people"

Racism doesn’t have to be conscious. In fact, ignorance often is at the heart of racism.

For example, some NFL analysts and fans imply that black QBs are lacking in intelligence without directly saying it, viewing them as great athletes who can run and jump, but can’t read defenses or make decisions on the field like their white counterparts.  

Scoop Jackson had this to say earlier this year: “Because of the success blacks have found in sports, we tend to allow ourselves an, "It's always been this way," pseudo-fantasy. We're leaning to a universal belief that achievements in sports just happen, that Willie Mays just happened, that Jordan just happened, that Serena and Venus just happened, that Tiger just happened.

Scoop says that films and documentaries have been necessary to “reinforce the notion that nothing in this country has come easy to those born of color.” For example:

• Speaking of Tiger, Golf Channel reporter Kelly Tilghman once said that young players competing with Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley".

While I believe that Kelly truly didn’t understand that she was making a racially insensitive statement, it only serves as further proof that racism is often based in ignorance.

• You don’t have to go back to the days of Jackie Robinson to find racism in major league baseball.

Baseball players are perceived differently because of their respective races. Scrappy, gritty players are never black, they are almost always white guys.

I have personally heard the taunts from fans in the stands that are racially insensitive to black players.

There is also the concern of declining black participation in Major League Baseball.

Hank Aaron said progress has been made, but he'd like to see MLB do more to promote black involvement and opportunities in the game.

"That's a concern of mine; I would just like to see more American blacks play professional baseball," Aaron said. "There's something that needs to be done.

Now, I do think that sometimes the race card is used too much and in situations where it doesn’t necessarily apply.

It’s part of an overly politically correct society where everything is offensive to everybody.

Those that read my work know that I can be politically incorrect at times.

Sometimes I just want to say “lighten up, everybody”. 

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