If I were a cop, I’d understand if
some folks struggled to see past my blue line of work. The police have a history
of anti-Black behavior that makes it difficult to separate individuals from the
force.
As I’ve learned from working, studying
and living, “the news media” produces similar skepticism among proponents of
Black lives. Yes, there are exceptions within the ranks of journalists. But as
a whole, the industry has reinforced the status quo more than discouraged it
during four centuries of hell on these shores.
The media is guilty of crafting
images and spreading stereotypes that have worked against our interests and
continue to this day. No argument there. And while I see no link between
coverage of NBA coach Ime Udoka and NFL legend Brett Favre, I understand why
some of y’all might.
Intergenerational racial trauma is real and omnipresent, breathed like oxygen with no thought.
Native Americans can testify on the
impact of traumatic journeys. The American Psychological Association says signs
of our racial trauma include: distrusting others due to multiple past
losses or letdowns; feeling triggered by reminders of previous racist
experience, which can lead to strong responses; and extreme paranoia or
hypervigilance.
I saw as much from some commentators
after the Boston Celtics suspended
Udoka for policy violations – reportedly, an intimate relationship with a
female staff member.
Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is
well past the age of consent, which varies from 16-18 across the U.S. So is the
unnamed Celtics staff member linked to Udoka’s
season-long suspension. The grown coach had a consensual, intimate
relationship (according to initial reports), with a grown woman who also works
for the team.
For those who don’t understand why
Udoka was punished – with no guarantee
of resuming his duties – forget about the adults’ ages. When it comes to consensual
relationships in the workplace, subordinates might as well be minors.
Their consent doesn’t count.
“I want to apologize to our
players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them
down,” Udoka said
in a statement. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult
situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone
involved, I will have no further comment.”
His silence is useless to everyone involved, namely the team’s female employees. They’re already victims of tabloid reporters and social-media sleuths. One minute the women were minding their business, virtually anonymous; the next minute they going viral, as folks throw out wild guesses on Udoka’s partner.
Football is back and the reaction
is complicated. Here come the conflicted feelings and mixed emotions that the
sport generates, collegiately and professionally. Loving the game and the athletes
is easy (minus health concerns); loathing the NFL and NCAA is automatic.
Through all of the messiness, pro
football is a business first, an excuse that shouldn’t fly in college football.
The purpose of higher education is
supposed to take precedence over polls, bowls, and playoffs. But that’s never
been the NCAA’s thought process, especially not with this labor-intensive sport
where 125 active players can inhabit the roster. If you combine all the NCAA men’s
and women’s basketball players, football has well more than twice as many participants.
It costs the most, makes the most
and spends the most, all on the backs of unpaid labor. Now, after a steady stream
of schools changing
conferences, handing out humongous
contracts, and upgrading lavish
facilities, the last shred of pretense has been dropped.
“This is an exciting day for the future of college football,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said last week after leaders voted to expand the playoffs from four to 12 teams. I’d be excited, too, if I were a commissioner, school president, athletic director, coach, or anyone else getting bags from football’s industrial complex. As for players, it sounds like extra work at the standard pay rate:
The writing assessment offered a choice, either 500 words on my favorite memory (too hard to pick one), or 500 words on …
IF I WOKE UP SURROUNDED BY ALIENS
If I woke up surrounded by aliens, I like to think my first
thought would be: “OK. Just play it cool.”
My fear is I’d freak out and cause a scene, drawing unwanted
attention from creatures that might crave my innards. So, let’s imagine I’m successful
in keeping my face and mouth from screaming WHAT THE HELL’S GOING ON?!
I’m in shock but I don’t show it. I look around and act
normal while I assess. That isn’t Vanessa and those aren’t the girls – though
they’re rather good likenesses. Thank God they speak English, so language isn’t
a barrier. They don’t act like I’m alien to them, and I play along.
Because, you know, they might turn Hannibal Lector and suddenly want some sauteed brain.
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