It first started with the Argentinians.
Then the Greeks.
Now, it's back to Spain.
Why is it that every time the American players touch the ball or shoot a free throw, there are constant, disrespectful "boos" from the opposing fans? Every time.
The American fans are quiet when the opposing team is shooting or even when a call doesn't go America's way.
The hostility that the Europeans and South Americans are displaying is rude, undeserved—and honestly, annoying. As I watch the gold-medal match, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have both tallied two fouls each in the first four minutes of the first quarter.
But when a Spanish player finally receives a foul, for a full minute the Spanish fans reminded me of the way I reacted when I found out that M. Night Shyamalan was making another movie.
And that's with the Spanish bench throwing their towels down and arguing with the ref every time America possesses the ball?
(Dwayne Wade is amazing right now and the Americans are only up by eight, 69-61, despite shooting 60 percent beyond the arc.)
Then there's the highly controversial Spanish team poster that the team created in commemoration of the Beijiing Olympics. What bothers me most about this is you would think the Chinese would find this extremely offensive, and be the ones 'booing' when Spain takes foot on the floor, but I guess they accepted Calderon's ridiculous excuse:
"I would like to share a story with you about something that happened with the Spanish National Team that someone interpreted incorrectly.
It happened in the photo session where the Spanish National Team was introduced. One of our sponsors asked us to pose with a “wink” to our participation in Beijing, we made an oriental expression with our eyes.
We thought it was something appropriate and that it would always be interpreted as somewhat loving. Nevertheless some of the European media did not see it this way.
From here I would like to declare that we have a huge respect for the East and their people, some of my best friends in Toronto are from China and one of our Spanish National Team sponsors is the Chinese brand Li Ning. Anyone who would like to interpret this differently is absolutely confused."
The team poses with their hands pulling their eyes resembling slanted eyes. The players claim it was only in fun and games. This is absolutely absurd.
The slant expression is relevant to a wink? I believe Bruce Lee would beg to differ.
Spain has a history of racial tensions in its sporting history. La Liga—which is arguably one of the top soccer leagues in the world, featuring powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid as well as a plethora of world class players—has also dealt with racism.
Black player Samuel Eto'o of FC Barcelona, has had bananas thrown at him as well as monkey noises chanted at him every time he touches the ball.
Now let me throw in another quote, from then-Spanish National Soccer Team Coach Luis Aragones to Spanish player Jose Antonio Reyes in reference to French player Thierry Henry: "Some players have to see things more clearly. Tell that black shit that you are better than him. Tell him from me, `You're the best'."
I bet Mr. Reyes jumped all over that opportunity. Aragones claims that he only said that to get his team and players pumped up for the match.
Reyes: "Hey, black shit? I am the best." Henry: "Oh, Okay!"
To sum up, I'm not saying America is an angel in any way, because as we all know the U.S. has its racial problems. But I felt the need to express my anger towards Europeans and South Americans alike.
It's unfair, and unsportsmanlike to 'boo' athletes in an international competition when my country is showing the upmost respect and understanding for these foreign players.
Anyways, thank God the USA won gold in the basketball game, as LeBron guaranteed back in June. Spain did play their asses off, so hats off to them. Congrats to everyone who worked hard to be part of the successful Olympics in Beijiing.
9 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Thomas 10 months ago
i'm unpressed with spain all the time ine in basketball. al their players are crazy.
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Goar 10 months ago
i got a chance to watch from midway thru the third quarter till the end of the game. spain played hard and gave the US a run. as much as i'm not a kobe bryant fan, he was clutch down the stretch.
good read.
Edit Comment Cancel
KC Allen 10 months ago
Thanks Justin. Ya, I wasn't a big Kobe fan either but I've recently began to give him a little more credit, but I find it funny people argue how much better he is then LeBron, LeBron clearly was the standout in every game except the gold medal match but I guess Kobe was clutch when we needed him most. And I would like to say also that it was really at the first half that the fans were really disrespectful mostly, but still I think the Argentinian fans were much more rude. The players of Spain just literally complained about every call and contested any possible thing they could.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jason Siesser 10 months ago
I think it is funny that while this photo of the Spanish team was circulating in Spain it was no big deal. Once it got international the British and then Americans decided to make a big deal about it. China didn't see phased and as far as I know the Spanish team is still has a Chinese company as a sponsor. I say that what is meant for your local media should remain local. Racism isn't pretty no matter where you are but I don't think that there is a large Chinese population in Spain to be taunted and called names. Will you see them do it again? I seriously doubt it. Is Spain a racist nation? If you said yes then welcome to the ranks of the racists! Generalizations about people is always a bad thing and those of you who want to complain about Spain should take this moment to reevaluate your problems with this act. It isn't as if Spain played China and took tape and slanted their eyes to make fun of them. Granted that would have been entirely stupid but they could have done it.
Racism is dumb and what the Spanish team did was stupid but to continue to harp on it is foolish. Let it go. If you want to be racist think about America vs Spain in the finals. Black vs White.
Edit Comment Cancel
KC Allen 10 months ago
Except the fact that America has black people if you didn't know. We're called the world's melting pot for a reason buddy. Time to come to reality and accept the truth that basketbal is the AFRICAN AMERICANS game literally black Americans. I have never heard of a NBA fan throwing bananas at Kevin Garnett, let alone in any sport, so yes that goes to show that in their leagues that it can happen and most of them don't like blacks in their country. Also, the funny thing I find about most racist people is that they claim to be racist yet their favorite athletes are black? Where I am from (one of the whitest states in the US and I also live less then 5 miles from what use to be the head Aryan Nations compound in America) I have friends that claim to be racist and hate blacks but when a black dude comes around they are no longer racist and are suddenly interested in them and being their friends. It's kinda disturbing. And no I am not racist, not even a little bit, I love black people.
Edit Comment Cancel
s j 10 months ago
Kobe is the best, and he waited for when the team needed him. The whole team knew it and coach K gave him the go. Kobe let the others guys score throughout the games, but like against australia, lithunia, and spain, (important or close games)- he dominated. Yes, he is better than lebron, a lot matter of fact. lebron is a video game in real life, but he is no kobe.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Knapp 10 months ago
I agree with the comment of LET IT GO. Yes, as sorry as it may seem, the Spaniards thought they were doing something that would show unity, as all of my Spanish friends have commented on when I asked them their thoughts.
Also, with the La Liga racism comments. Yes, La Liga does have Racism, but so does EVERY other footballing country. Don't think it just happens in Spain.
I've lived in Spain long enough and yes, I've seen racism. But I've seen it in France, Italy, and in the US, amongst other places.
I don't know why all of the sudden Spain has become the racism capital of the world. With the Aragonés thing? That was freaking years ago, and that was only Aragonés, because that's how he always is.
That's like saying that all American basketball coaches are insane chair tossing, player hitting, explative screaming just because Bobby Knight did it.
With the Spanish yelling at the refs, it is part of the culture. Trust me, I played semi-pro over there, a few towels slapping on the floor is nothing. It is widely accepted over there, amongst everyone. It's just a different culture.
Edit Comment Cancel
KC Allen 10 months ago
Bobby Knight is a legend. And I didn't know chair tossing was worse then throwing bananas at black people. Yes, Spain is the new racism capital of the world.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Knapp 10 months ago
Knight is a legend? Sure is.
But Aragonés just became one by taking Spain to the Euro 2008 title. Even with his comments.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.