August 1, 201313 yr How much ridicule does an African American get from his peers when he sucks at basketball/football? It's been my experience in sports, and playing pick up ball throughout a rec center that if a white kid who sucks at basketball, he is just another white kid who sucks, whereas a black kid is almost expected to be a good athlete. If he is not, he catches a lot more flack from his buddies, then the white kid would from his. In a pick up game the white kid receives a lot more praise if he is one of the better players in the gym, while a black kid receives a lot more ridicule if he's one of the worst in the gym. Almost like they are both going against the norm. Anyone else notice that or is it just me?
August 1, 201313 yr How much ridicule does an African American get from his peers when he sucks at basketball/football? It's been my experience in sports, and playing pick up ball throughout a rec center that if a white kid who sucks at basketball, he is just another white kid who sucks, whereas a black kid is almost expected to be a good athlete. If he is not, he catches a lot more flack from his buddies, then the white kid would from his. In a pick up game the white kid receives a lot more praise if he is one of the better players in the gym, while a black kid receives a lot more ridicule if he's one of the worst in the gym. Almost like they are both going against the norm. Anyone else notice that or is it just me? I(ahem) have noticed that example on occasion. (ahem) (ahem) Got something stuck in my throat.
August 1, 201313 yr Racism is a form of ignorance. How do you fix ignorance? You educate ie expose one to something they are ignorant about. So having black teammates would seem to help those who had any preconceived notions about " how them blacks are." Same for the blacks who are ignorant about the "white boy."
August 1, 201313 yr How much ridicule does an African American get from his peers when he sucks at basketball/football? It's been my experience in sports, and playing pick up ball throughout a rec center that if a white kid who sucks at basketball, he is just another white kid who sucks, whereas a black kid is almost expected to be a good athlete. If he is not, he catches a lot more flack from his buddies, then the white kid would from his. In a pick up game the white kid receives a lot more praise if he is one of the better players in the gym, while a black kid receives a lot more ridicule if he's one of the worst in the gym. Almost like they are both going against the norm. Anyone else notice that or is it just me? Yes, and there was nothing funnier than listening to guys get it from their friends for losing to us at the playground. It was awesome. Just look at the NBA to prove your point about the norm. Name 2 all star caliber, U.S. born white players. They've become a dying breed. Football, IMO, has the best mix, and demands the most team unity. I think that is the sport that you see the best "educating" going on about the other race. Side note, a ton of brothers loved to talk. It went in and out the other b/c you expect it at the playground. Some could play, some couldn't. The scary ones were the ones that were quiet. You didn't see many quiet ones who couldn't play.
August 2, 201313 yr Great question and I say yes sports does help in a huge way. I will also add another thing that really helps also, serving in the military. Growing up I never had a lot of opportunities to interact with minorities a lot of any race. After joining the military though I was able to get to work and get to know people from all over the world. We were all in the same boat and no one was better than anyone else so there were no "airs" we had to deal with. The entire racism thing no matter what some say, is deffinatly getting better. Our kids have never ever had any hesitation when it comes to making friends or dating any nationality or race. Something I don't think a lot of people could say 30 years ago.
August 2, 201313 yr How much ridicule does an African American get from his peers when he sucks at basketball/football? It's been my experience in sports, and playing pick up ball throughout a rec center that if a white kid who sucks at basketball, he is just another white kid who sucks, whereas a black kid is almost expected to be a good athlete. If he is not, he catches a lot more flack from his buddies, then the white kid would from his. In a pick up game the white kid receives a lot more praise if he is one of the better players in the gym, while a black kid receives a lot more ridicule if he's one of the worst in the gym. Almost like they are both going against the norm. Anyone else notice that or is it just me? Let's hope this mind set never changes, it is the only excuse I have for my performance on the basketball court. Edited August 2, 201313 yr by Bert
August 2, 201313 yr I(ahem) have noticed that example on occasion. (ahem) (ahem) Got something stuck in my throat. :DAre you saying you suck at sports and got some flack?
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