Corporate Social Justice, by Jay-Z

by with No Comment CultureFeatured

We look up to our heroes… our athletes, entertainers, those who make it out. Society has deemed us only worthy of certain achievements, so when one of us reaches a certain level… it’s hard to admit, personally or publicly, when that person has messed up, or even worse, compromised their values for personal gain.

Obama was the first Black president. And because he was the first, he can do no wrong. I’m sure you’ve heard this argument before… from the loyal Obama supporter who’s willing do dismiss all reasonable logic when it comes to his presidency… just because he was the first.

Jay-Z is viewed by many in a similar light. He’s a billionaire. The first hip-hop artist to ever reach that status. He set the Blueprint, literally, for millions of innercity youth throughout the country. He’s loved and respected for it, and like Obama, for many, he can do no wrong.

But so exists the Obama supporter and the Jay-Z fan who can also call BS when they see it. If you’re a true fan, you’ve earned the right to criticize your heroes when they do unheroic shit. 

So when Jay-Z announced a Roc Nation partnership with the NFL to co-produce their halftime shows moving forward with a social justice campaign caveat attached to it, many people applauded the move, but just as many scratched their head and asked why. It’s a legitimate question, and I think the answer rests with his new corporate partner, the National Football League.

Let’s be honest, the NFL has blackballed Colin Kaepernick. It’s no longer about kneeling, because it if was Eric Reid and Kenny Stills who continue to kneel, wouldn’t have a job. This is about principal, and the NFL owners have decided to not sign him and hold firm to that position. While Kaepernick is not without fault, mainly for choosing to settle his collusion case and for signing a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike, you can make the argument that he did what he was sent to do, which was create a movement worthy of discussion and dialogue.

MLK and Malcolm were assassinated for their convictions. Someone inevitably had to pick up the torch to continue their movements. While Kaep is not a traditional Civil Rights leader, nor do I believe he’s striving to be, he’s still alive and well… it’s hard to justify the advancement of his movement without him being a part of it, especially when you’re set up to get a fat check in the process. For many, that’s common sense, and for others, they’re convinced that Jay-Z has a plan and we should give it time to develop. But you see, that’s not how social justice works.

If we appreciate anything about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and true social justice, it should be The Letter from Birmingham Jail he wrote in 1963 in response to eight white religious leaders of the South who questioned his visit to Birmingham, Alabama. If we just trust King’s intuition and grace in a moment of great contention and perceived controversy in America, we quickly realize that the “wait and see” strategy has never worked for oppressed communities.

“For years now I have heard the word “wait.” It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This “wait” has almost always meant “never.” We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”” – MLK 

So again, why should we wait, continue to wait, and trust that Jay-Z’s social justice campaign will deliver… with not even a blueprint or list of action steps? We shouldn’t.

The NFL wins big with this partnership. They get one of the best entertainers in the world to manage their Super Bowl halftime shows (which frankly have been hit or miss.) And more importantly, this entertainer happens to be Black and perceived to have a lot of leverage within the Black community. What better way to win back the good graces of many of their Black fans than partnering with one of their biggest heroes.

To make things even worse, we find out that Jay has been working on this deal for a year. If this social justice campaign was intended to be impactful, why wouldn’t they at least highlight the objectives of the campaign when they announced the partnership? Are communities of color expected to wait and see what the campaign entails?

Jay chose income over community, personal gain over values, and he’s paying the price for it. A week later and we’re still waiting on any details regarding this social just campaign. We can’t afford to wait… on the NFL, or Jay-Z.

Jus Lyke Compton (Athletes And Colorism)

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

Remember the classic 1992 Dj Quick record “Jus Lyke Compton”? If you don’t, it’s a classic cut from the LA rapper where he talks about how many places in the country have adopted a part of the LA culture. 

I recently heard the song, and it had me thinking about how influential Black athletes are throughout the world, and how their cultural impact has and can cause true positive change. 

Since Jackie Robinson step foot on the first integrated baseball field in 1947, Black athletes in America have used their platform to raise awareness for equality… for not only Black Americans, but other marginalized groups as well. 

In fact, dozens of Black American athletes have used their platform and fame to initiate change… from James Harden hosting youth basketball camps in Houston to Lebron’s charter school in Ohio.

Black athletes throughout the world have followed their lead to do the same. I recently visited the Dominican Republic and saw this firsthand. 

James Harden is not only hosting basketball camps in Houston and Compton… but also in the Caribbean. 

Speaking of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s contribution to global racism, like most majority non-White nations, is colorism. Colorism, which I’ll refer to as a pillar of racism, is a form of prejudice or discrimination usually by members of the same race based solely on complexion. Complexion, or someone’s skin tone, is used to establish a cultural standard of beauty… and the darker you are the worse the discrimination. 

For decades, the majority Black and Brown darker-skinned Dominican’s were seen as a peg below and inferior to their lighter-skinned countrymen, who were also the minority.

And then came baseball. 

From the likes of Pedro Martinez to David Ortiz, darker-skinned Dominican’s became such huge Baseball stars that they helped strip away deeply rooted colorism in their country. 

Sounds familiar? Just Lyke Compton… or how the Black male athlete in the United States has become the standard in sports?

We might not see another athlete like Kaepernick use their career as a sacrifice to initiate change for a while; but, Black and Brown athletes from Lebron and his charter school to Manny Pacquiao being an elected Senator in the Philippines have been using their fame and influence to benefit others for a while.

And for the shut up and dribble crowd, athletes are going to continue to use their influence and social media platforms to not only restructure contracts, but to restructure society as well so that the playing field is equal… for everyone, regardless of their race, complexion, or socioeconomic status.  

(Colin Kaepernick) What’s Next?

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedSports

One of the last songs Tupac Shakur recorded is a little known track entitled What’s Next, in which he questions things in his past and how they’ve impacted others. To no particular entity or without any particular purpose, Pac repeatedly asks, “What’s Next?” In summary, Pac questions the purpose of his past and what is to come in the future.

It’s been exactly two months since Colin Kaepernick settled his collision lawsuit against the National Football League. Prior to the settlement, since the Fall of 2016, Colin Kaepernick and his silent protest of kneeling during the national anthem was a constant topic amongst both sports and general news outlets. Despite not being in the league for the past two seasons, both kneeling during the anthem by other players and the conversation around the awareness of the protest remained strong up until the settlement.

Then… nothing.

We haven’t heard from Colin Kaepernick. We also haven’t heard from Eric Reid, his most vocal and visible NFL player supporter. We haven’t heard anything on news outlets. And this upcoming season, I can bet dollars to doughnuts no one will kneel during the anthem. 

So what’s next?

Like Tupac questioned the purpose of his past and what was to come in the future, we, the supporters of the anthem protest wonder what’s next with player activism. A tactic that, despite backlash, has been a successful tool in beginning the conversations and actions needed to address gross the injustices taking place in this nation.

I’m sure NBA players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and countless others will continue to speak on social issues. But what about the NFL? 

The main goal of the kneeling protest was to bring awareness to the injustices within law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole against Black people in America.

Mission accomplished.

The protest might have only entrenched the main sides of this issue (pro-police vs Black Lives Matter); however; many in the middle listened and some like Patriots owner Robert Kraft even made steps towards supporting criminal justice reform.

There probably won’t be any more anthem protests, but there’s still a lot of room for the NFL to make an impact and create social change. We, the supporters, just need to know what’s next. 

Kaepernick… Scam or Sale?

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

“Any calls for Colin Kaepernick to play quarterback again should be given the classic “who dis” response.” 

The quarterback position is the single most important position in all of team sports. The performance of a quarterback sets the tone for winning. Find me a team that’s winning and has a chance to win it all, and you’ll easily find a high performing quarterback.

At any given time during an NFL season at least a dozen teams will be in the need for a starting quarterback. And that need is based on two very simple factors: health or performance.

Since last season there’s been one quarterback waiting for a call that will never be made. That quarterback would easily be an upgrade at starting quarterback for at least half of the National Football League’s 32 teams. Of course, I’m talking about Colin Kaepernick. 

As someone who is a strong Kaepernick fan for both his playing abilities and being the originator of the recent NFL player protests, my opinion is different than most regarding his push and desire to re-enter the league. My position: (at this point) Kaepernick should not answer a call from a team considering to sign him. 

To be clear, I fully support Kaepernick’s collusion lawsuit against the NFL. But for two simple reasons, I would rather not see him play again.

Health… 

Back in 2015, Kaepernick had his season cut short due to injury. He still played in 2016 which was his last season in the NFL, but it was clear he hadn’t fully recovered. Kaepernick is still only 31 years old, ten years younger than starting quarterback Tom Brady. With almost two years away from football, the absence of the physical toll on his body should have him at 100 percent. But why risk any injury by lining up underneath center again? Those who may have a vendetta against Kaepernick, coaches and players, might embark on a targeting plan against Kaepernick to hurt him with a vicious hit. Just 6 years ago the Saints were exposed for Bountygate, which was a system under Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams where players were rewarded for injuring opposing players. Like I said, Kaepernick should not risk his health. 

Legacy… 

As of today, Kaepernick’s career spans six seasons that produced over 12,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns. His numbers should remain intact to continue shaming NFL teams and give credence to his collision suit. Since the 2016 offseason, the quarterbacks signed to active rosters range from players who threw for as many yards as I did in college (spoiler I never played college football) to a guy who led his team to an 0-16 record. Yes, for the non-football fans reading this, that quarterback’s team didn’t win a game the entire season when he was the starting quarterback; yet, he was given another try.  

Lastly, it will inevitably take some time to get used to the speed of the game, which could hinder his initial comeback. Kaepernick looks great in a t-shirt and shorts tossing the ball 50 yards, but there’s no simulating the speed of an NFL game. Every single incomplete pass, interception, fumble, failed 3rd conversion, etc., will be highlighted by his very large and influential enemies. I don’t want to give them the pleasure. 

Kaepernick should continue what he’s doing… fighting his case and taking part in the social changes he kneeled for in the first place. His NFL history is written and remains respectable. Unlike his first career in the NFL, he totally controls his second career. And he won’t have to worry about wearing a helmet and shoulder pads to do it. 

The Pepsi Challenge (Political Opinions & Social Progress)

by with No Comment Diversity & InclusionSocial Issues

Opinions should be innocuous and a matter of preference, and that has not been the case with political opinions. They’ve become so polarizing, that they’ve halted the political progression of this nation. Something no opinion should do. 

Have you ever been to a restaurant and the waiter asks for your drink order and you say, “I’ll just have a Coke?” The waiter sometimes responds, “I’m sorry, we only have Pepsi products.” With the exception of very rare sticklers to Coke products, almost everyone will simply order a Pepsi without giving it much thought.  Why? Because while most people prefer either Coke or Pepsi, it doesn’t prohibit them from enjoying a nice cold fizzy drink if their favorite isn’t available. No one is going to leave a restaurant for the protest of Coke products when the restaurant only has Pepsi products. You like Coke over Pepsi or Pepsi over Coke, yet your opinion on the soda is inconsequential and you have no problem drinking the similar alternative.

The current US political climate has allowed people to have political stances, stances that are quite damaging under the guise of “opinions.” 

Even more dangerous, opinions have superseded actual facts.

From the revisionist historical narrative that the American Civil War was fought over “states rights” and not slavery to holding dear to the belief President Obama was a Muslim (as if that would have been a bad thing anyway), their opinions have become shields for bigotry, thus the extreme polarization of issues. 

Related: Diplomacy and War: Know the Difference

Recent news has been filled with such opinions of Black Lives Matter vs all lives matter… maintaining confederate statues vs removing confederate statues… and the latest debate… how do people feel about Colin Kaepernick and the NFL player protests. “Opinions” on these issues mentioned above, specifically from those who identify as Conservative/Trump base, unequivocally go against a cause or people that have been wronged. 

“That’s just my opinion” simply isn’t valid for wanting to uphold honoring public places for a treasonous faction like the Confederate States of America. That “opinion” fuels the opposition and it’s a shield for an appreciation of the Confederacy, which you know… attacked the United States to uphold slavery. 

Yes, it seems as if this article is a dig at Conservatives/Trump base. For starters, you catch on quick; and second, yes, you are correct. Conservatives have become entrenched on opinions that side with the wrongdoing of marginalized people. Liberal or Conservative extremism is bad; however, Conservative extremism seems to be furthering the political divide in this nation for their relentless defense of bigotry and being anti-social progress. 

I want to do my part with those burning their Nikes… worried about Hillary Clinton emails… and seeing the need to honor Generals of a nation that went to war with their countrymen and attempted to secede from the United States. I offer you all a Coke and a smile… and if you don’t yell, “It’s disrespectful to the flag,” I’ll even see if I can get you a Pepsi. 

IS KAEPERNICK THE NEW FACE OF CAPITALISM?

by with One Comment FeaturedNFLSports

While everyone is excited about Kaepernick being the new face of Nike, and rightfully so, we must realize the capitalism at play, and ask a pivotal question, what is Nike going to do regarding real change now that they stand to profit from Kaepernick’s Civil Rights protest?

But why would Nike attempt to profit from Kaepernick’s protest? Maybe supporting him and his protest was inevitable. After all, one of their biggest athletes in LeBron James has become more vocal on social issues. They can’t sway too far from his off-the-court mission, right? So despite the perceived controversy, why not sway towards it. As a publicly traded company (NKE), increasing shareholder value will ALWAYS be their number one priority. So odds are management wouldn’t make such a decision that could possibly threaten their revenue if they didn’t believe they could somehow flip it and capture the value they’ve sought to highlight and attach to their brand.

This is an interesting move by Nike considering Kaepernick is actively suing NFL owners for colluding to keep him out of the league, and they (Nike) just signed an 8-year extension to continue being the official sponsor for the NFL’s sideline apparel and game-day uniforms. If you’re Nike it sounds like a hell of a conflict. So why jump head first into this controversial issue?

A few reasons come to mind… 

#1 They truly agree with Kaepernick’s protest, and unlike most brands who are trying to avoid this issue, they realize their involvement at some point is inevitable, so why not be the first brand to get behind it?

#2 They realize the value and potential revenue that can be made from jumping behind this issue. They’ve calculated the risk or potential pushback by being the first brand to do so, and they’re willing to experience the short-term pain in return for long-term gain… or…

#3 Some weird combination of 1 and 2.

Whatever the reason might be, it’s done. Just remember, Nike is a public company (NKE). They don’t make moves without thinking about their shareholders, specifically how to increase shareholder value and ultimately maximize it. So while a publicly traded company in Nike has decided to recognize Kaepernick’s protest, I think we’re within bounds to question how genuine it is if they likely stand to profit from it, and more importantly… what are they going to do regarding real change specific to why Kaepernick decided to protest in the first place, police brutality and other injustices in the criminal justice system? Time will surely tell. 

What do you think? 

(On August 31, 2018, Nike’s stock closed at $82.20. Let’s see how their stock is doing in 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.) 

WALMART (NFL)… IT IS WHAT IT IS

by with 3 Comments NFLSports

“You might not admit it, but you’re going to Walmart within the next few weeks and it’ll probably be to get some items to watch an NFL game.” 

The NFL has the highest average attendance of all professional sports leagues in the world. Yes, even more than European Football Clubs. The Super Bowl is the most watched TV program in America, by a long shot. Backup quarterback Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles upset victory against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LII was watched by 103 million people. There are 320 million people in the United States, so roughly 30%, or 1 out of every 3 people in the U.S.,  watched the Super Bowl. The second most watched sporting event in America is The Olympics, which pulled roughly 30 million viewers, less than 1/3 the viewership of the Super Bowl. 

So yes… even with the debate over protesting, football being linked to permanent brain damage, viewership down, and youth participation down in American cities and towns… the NFL is still very popular and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Switching gears for a minute, Walmart has become the poster child for meager employee benefits and low wages. With that being said, they’re still the premier shopping destination in the U.S.… despite having 20,000 checkout lanes in every store and only 3 being open… despite the shame of being open everyday of the year except Christmas… and despite weekly videos on social media showing “Walmart shoppers” shopping in pajamas using motorized wheelchairs (when they’re not handicapped).

The premier shopping destination in the U.S.… how? 

Walmart’s business model is a relic of the past. It’s a big-box retailer that sells several products that have been linked to animal cruelty. They’ve promoted their social conservatism via the removal of certain magazines, and they’ve chosen to not sell certain artists records that they’ve deemed inappropriate. Approximately 70% of their employees leave within their first year, yet 1.4 million Americans receive a paycheck from them. Yes, 1.4 million people work for Walmart, and they have what we want… known products at the cheapest price. Most Walmart shoppers aren’t the grown women in SpongeBob pajamas like their advertisements suggest. Instead, it’s someone who needs to pick up some cereal or a phone charger, and they need to get all of these items in one place before traffic picks up again.

Everyone shops at Walmart, everyone, most just hate to admit it. 

Speaking of everyone… No other sport in the world has an unofficial holiday like the NFL with Super Bowl Sunday. No matter if you agree with the NFL protests, if you’re a fantasy football guru, or if you’re not totally sure Brett Favre doesn’t play anymore, you’re going to a Super Bowl Party.

Why is that?

Despite steps to make it a safer game, it’s inherently dangerous. The NFL protests have become as great of a contentious wedge issue in this country as abortion. The average career for an NFL player is roughly three years. (Do not be fooled by 41-Year-old Tom Brady, he’s not the norm.) The NFL Players union (the NFLPA) is easily the weakest in all professional sports. And like Walmart, it continues to lead the pack in its respective category.

How?

Well, a touchdown is still an awesome thing to watch. The excitement and buildup of a football game is unparalleled in any other sport. Inevitably, it’s simply a great game and gives an equally great feel. And no matter where you stand with Colin Kaepernick and the player protests, it simply won’t derail that feeling… especially with legal gambling being a thing.

So yes, Walmart and the NFL have a lot of work to do to get better… to better its workforce and public image. But both still provide a need, and unless that need is replaced, both will remain on top. Need proof? Like I insinuated above, Walmart is and will continue to be packed every year in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday, and you’ll most likely be one of their shoppers. 

Subscribe for free to receive similar content. 

[2017 In Review] Kaepernick Vs. The NFL… The LCR Responds…

by with 3 Comments Sports

Kaepernick certainly made his mark in 2017, and whether you agree with his position or not, he sparked a national conversation that everyone was forced to address. While the protests might be dying down, NFL viewership took a huge hit and even the President surprisingly jumped into the conversation.

Many people thought Kaepernick and other players were disrespecting the military despite Kaepernick saying his peaceful protest had nothing to do with the military. Many people chose to focus on the actual protests instead of WHY they chose to protest in the first place, which was police brutality and social injustice. How convenient and comfortable to focus on the former and not the latter?  

Different perspectives matter. We asked 5 of our contributors with different political views to weigh in on the Colin Kaepernick situation during the height of the protests earlier this year, and this is what they had to say…

“As someone who has worked in sports, I have tried to understand Colin Kaepernick’s dilemma in light of some athletes with less than perfect pasts. Michael Vick is one of the first names that comes to mind. He was involved in dogfighting, which led him to serve 18 months in prison. Just months after his release, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to sign a $100M contract. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Vick continued his NFL career. | Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions. His actions led him to being suspended for four games because he was found to be in violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Roethlisberger continues his NFL career. | Colin Kaepernick is not a convicted felon, he has not been accused of any crimes, nor did he commit any acts deeming him worthy of suspension. He peacefully protested by not standing for the national anthem, and he consistently works to achieve social justice for his community. Yet, he still remains unsigned while the Miami Dolphins recently pulled Jay Cutler out of retirement to fill an open roster spot. There are clearly other factors in play aside from athletic ability. Some NFL owners are claiming that they are concerned about the reactions of their fan bases if they were to sign Colin Kaepernick. Let’s assume that this is a legitimate concern. There have been NFL teams who signed convicted felons and athletes accused of committing serious crimes. If owners are more hesitant to sign a social activist than a convicted felon, what does that say about the fan base they are catering to?” – Muslim Female Democrat

“Professional athletes are in large part entertainers – and public desire to tune in is why they’re paid. Most often, if they don’t introduce their views into the game, that means their athletic ability and future prospects drive their earnings potential. Kaepernick’s difficulty isn’t that different than the issue a local businessman has when he runs for local office – not everybody likes it, and some customers walk. Publicly speaking about a controversial topic is generally not a good business idea if that’s his first concern, and if owners believe he hurts their franchise value and their own personal brand image, it will be reflected in his value as a player. I disagree with Kaepernick’s method of protest, because I thought it was disrespectful to veterans. I do respect deeply his right to make his statement as an American with the right of free speech.  But now he’s discovering what many veterans have known for a long time in defending the rights of citizens – that freedom isn’t free.” – Right Army Veteran

“Are NFL owners anti-controversy? Their support of players who have been arrested throughout the league (1 in 40 each year) suggests not. Is Kaepernick truly just not a good enough Quarterback to make a roster? His performance over the last 6 seasons and Super Bowl experience suggest this is not the case. Is the NFL racist? I don’t know for certain, but if so I believe racism is only one part of a larger issue here. “Us vs. Them” is the driving force behind the Kaepernick snub. He’s not doing what the NFL thinks everyone ought to do: fall in line and support the flag, the League, the Country. Consequently, it seems he is being blacklisted (ironic terminology intended). Many White athletes protested the National Anthem in the 60’s over conscription, Vietnam, civil rights, etc. There were cases of school expulsions, verbal abuse, and public ostracization. This demonstrates that when someone protests against the Status Quo – regardless of Race – there will be a backlash. It takes courage to make a stand against something you think is wrong and if you are not in the majority, there will be consequences. For tearing up a picture of the Pope on live television in protest of the Catholic Church’s well-documented history of child abuse scandals and cover-ups, Sinead O’Connor nearly lost her entire music career. If Colin Kaepernick’s intention is to create controversy to draw attention to an issue that he believes in, then this current NFL spurn might be more helpful than harmful to his cause.” – Unaffiliated Humanist Musician

“Let’s be honest. Kaepernick doesn’t have a job right now because owners see him as a liability and distraction.  The issues Kaepernick represents are the very ones they want to ignore – and it probably doesn’t help that New York plans on holding a major rally for him. But let’s be even more honest, if Kaepernick had won a Super Bowl or was a huge star, these issues would probably be overlooked, i.e. Ray Lewis. Kaepernick may not be the same athlete to be considered a starter, but physically he could still be a mentoring 3rd string QB.  If Mark Sanchez still has a job, then whay can’t Kaepernick? Sanchez stays quiet and doesn’t ignite the public – but that doesn’t mean Colin should be quiet on the issues that are most important to him. | What makes Kaepernick different from Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, and the majority of the Cincinnati Bengals? Kaepernick represents a social injustice issue that he is standing up for while the others were individual incidents that one can be apologetic, reprimanded, and or proven/deemed innocent.” – Independent Marketing Pro

“A man of color who stands his ground on an issue that he feels passionate about risks his successful career to stand tall and stick up his middle finger to White America. We want our men to be strong and stand for something; yet, White America wants to dictate what that “something” is. Nothing in his contract dictates that he has to forego his moral beliefs in order to use his talent to make the the NFL millions and millions of dollars. So is White America trying to prove a point by not signing him? How dare them try to tell this grown man what to think and how to feel. Are they just angry because a public figure is taking a public stand against the racist core of America? The truth hurts.  Kaepernick should be applauded for his courage and lack of desire to sell out for a few pennies… Stand tall my Brother.” – Apolitical Elected Official

This article was originally published on 9 August 2017.

Just Play, We Know What’s Best

by with One Comment Sports

Despite sports by design being inherently fair, the application and business of sports, is yet another subject of the jaded rules and positions designed to help few and hurt many. Though black players have become the face of the most popular sports in America, they seldom share the power when it comes to their respective sport. 

Sports, the actual play of the game, is by design based on meritocracy. Simply put, if you score the most you win. Except in Golf, but that’s why I don’t watch Golf – is Golf really a sport? Anyway, by sports, I mean competition against another human, and said human stopping you from scoring. So that does not include hunting, for the deer did not sign up to get shot, nor does said deer have anything to shoot back with. So, by sports, I mean Baseball, Tennis, Basketball, and yes even Soccer will count as a sport – all listed are inherently fair.

Once the game ends, there’s an entire business behind sport. The business of sports and its unfairness towards black people in positions of leadership has been a practice dating back to the inception of professional sports being one of great profit. For many black men and women in the business of sports, they’ve experienced an all-star performance from the perennial MVP candidate of racism. However, racism might be playing at a hall of fame level when it pertains to professional and college football.

Rolling Stone magazine did an outstanding piece on the mistreatment of black quarterbacks a few weeks ago. Their piece brilliantly highlighted the recent collusion of Colin Kaepernick by the league as just the latest in a long history of black quarterbacks going through treatment unparalleled to their white colleagues. While white quarterbacks who are products of the mediocracy factor stay in the league for years on end, black quarterbacks exhibiting the same statistical numbers or even better numbers lose starting roles, or their careers come to an abrupt halt. Black quarterbacks also have a smaller window of error than white quarterbacks. 

The most recent example was Tyrod Taylor of the Buffalo Bills being benched due to literally one game of poor play. By the way, the Buffalo Bills gave up 47 points on defense that game. But Head Coach Sean McDermott apparently had seen enough of Tyrod’s one bad game and decided to change his starting Quarterback in favor of his white rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman – though if the Bills season ended at the time they would have been in the playoffs. Peterman proceeded to throw five interceptions in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers, more than Taylor had thrown all season, and despite the terrible performance Coach McDermott stated he saw “good things” from Peterman. He saw good things from a quarterback throwing five interceptions in one game over his starting quarterback who had the Buffalo Bills in the playoff hunt? A playoff berth this year would give the Buffalo Bills their first since 1999. Yes, that 1999, the same year Prince sang about and a year in which we listened to downloaded music from Napster at Boarders.

I cannot recall a time in which a white starting quarterback with a winning record was benched in the middle of a playoff race due to one bad performance for a rookie quarterback. This simply doesn’t happen to white quarterbacks.

It’s important to note this article is referencing only the quarterback position for a reason. For possibly in all team sports, the quarterback is the single most important position. It’s the one position in which all offensive plays start with. On a marketing note, the quarterback is the face of a football franchise. And on a football smarts note; the quarterback is supposed to be most cerebral of all players. The marketing and inherent leadership in which the quarterback brings is the crux of the reluctant reason in placing black players in that role. The same reasons why the NFL lacks black representation at the quarterback position, its younger brother, college football, employs the same practices regarding black quarterbacks. 

Countless black players are recruited in high school from top college programs as quarterbacks. Those players are offered scholarships many times on the contingency they change positions.

Why?

This is done for one simple reason, the primary college football fanbase. The most advent fans in college football are southerners, ironically the most recruits come from the south as well. College programs know their audience. Placing the typical 6’3 clean shaving white quarterback fares much better than the longer hair, or God forbid, dreadlock and/or braid wearing black quarterback.

The trials and tribulations of the black quarterback are one thing; but, it pales in comparison to the plight of a black head coach. The NFL has moved up a peg from laughable after the 2017 offseason hiring of the Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph and the Los Angeles Chargers hiring Anthony Lynn. Though roster composition in the NFL is currently 70% black, only 7 of 32 are holding the clipboard, Ron Rivera being Latino, brings the [minority] total to eight. These numbers are rather bleak given there are 32 teams; however, the numbers would be bleaker if not for the Rooney Rule. Instituted in 2003 and named after Pittsburg Steelers owner Art Rooney, the Rooney rule states teams are required to interview at least one minority candidate when searching for a new head coach. Attention is rightfully drawn to head coaches; however, the Rooney rule does nothing to solve non-head coaching positions. Look at the numbers… 80 of the NFL’s current 85 offensive coordinators, quarterback’s coaches and offensive quality control coaches are white, including all 37 with the word “quarterback” in their titles. See a pattern? 

When comparing college to the NFL, college is a much more ugly and unsettling. There are currently only 14 black head coaches in the FBS, which is Division I, a little under 11% of all colleges. 

What gives? Where’s the outcry and questioning on these lopsided numbers?

The numbers are no different in sports than in a sector like education. Most black students in public education are being taught with little representation by black teachers, especially black male teachers. A student is more likely to be taught by a unicorn, than a black male teacher, which makes up only 2% of the entire public-school system from coast to coast.

The numbers are horrendous and need immediate attention. The recent NFL player protest seems to be a stepping stone towards players finally placing a stake in the ground regarding their respect and voice to the owners and the fans. Despite backlash to the player protests, and possibly those protests being shaken up, football highlights are showing no signs of slowing down the showcasing of black players. Only time will tell if more black people end up behind the plays and decisions that make American sports so great. 

Eminem Rips Trump… Will “Working Class” Jump Ship?

by with One Comment CultureFeaturedMedia

Detroit rapper Eminem has never been shy about attacking his adversaries, NEVER. And if you didn’t know where he stood, he unequivocally stated his position and disdain for President Trump during the 2017 BET Hip Hop Freestyle Cypher. He also dedicated several lyrics in support for Colin Kaepernick and other NFL player who’ve chosen to kneel in protest.

Eminem’s lyrics in the 2017 BET Cypher Link: The Storm Eminem Verse

Colin Kaepernick immediately reacted on Twitter by thanking Eminem for his support.

Twitter was quick to react, including LeBron James and fellow rapper J. Cole…

I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Trump will respond… but should he is probably the better question?

Eminem explicitly drew a line in the sand for his fans who choose to support Trump, assuming many of them are considered the “working class” – will they listen to Eminem? Many Republican’s and celebrities have publicly denounced Trump and it seems to have had little effect on his base. Will Eminem’s appeal be any different?