Tag Archives: Black Athletes
With Roger Goddell’s New Rule, Ray Rice & Adrian Peterson; Will African-American NFL Athletes Become a Bigger Target of Aggressive Victims?
Don’t think for one second you’ve misread the title of this article incorrectly Ladies and Gentlemen. It would also be in your best interest not to misinterpret what you are about to read. I was actually going to release this article a few weeks ago in response to the NFL’s new domestic violence policy; however, in lieu of what has transpired last week with now former Baltimore Raven’s running back, Ray Rice and his wife, Janay Rice—and the NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell—I had to go back to the drawing board. This incident not only reminded America on how truly dehumanizing domestic violence really is; rather, when it comes to having an honest discussion about domestic violence; as a nation, it is still a one-side issue. Millions watched as the TMZ video went viral in a matter of hours on this past Monday showing the graphic elevator confrontation between Ray and his then fiancé, Janay Palmer (since married). Almost immediately it was trending all over social media (and still is), press, radio, local and national news as it became not just news, but breaking news interrupting several televised programs. The video was so huge; it even drew the attention of the certain congressmen down in Washington, D.C. The court of public opinion was already disgusted with the original ruling of a 2-game suspension for the now troubled running back, Ray Rice. But after TMZ, (which is a celebrity gossip magazine for crying out loud) was able to get a hold of the footage that Commissioner Roger Goddell seemingly couldn’t; the uproar for the dismissal of Rice—and now Goddell—grew exponentially. With domestic violence and sexual assault now taking precedent over the actual NFL games themselves; you would think the victim in all of this—Janay Rice—all of sudden became the unofficial voice for domestic violence victims everywhere. Instead, Janay stuns all domestic violence advocates and supporters with a startling message from her Instagram account in defense of her husband.
Since the disturbing video of Ray Rice was released nearly two weeks ago, critics ranging from sports reporters, pundits, and most notably the National Organization for Women otherwise known as N.O.W., have all but demanded Roger Goddell’s head on a silver platter insisting his resignation immediately. This also comes in light of new developments reported by the Associated Press that NFL Headquarters was in fact aware of the full Ray Rice video leaked by TMZ last Monday. While Goddell maintains his innocence, the league has decided to hire former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III, to handle an independent investigation to see if indeed Commissioner Goddell knew about the entirety of tape prior to last Monday. The NFL is now facing immense scrutiny for allowing San Francisco 49ers defensive end, Ray McDonald and Carolina Panthers defensive end, Greg Hardy, to play in their season openers while McDonald hasn’t been charged in his domestic violence altercation; however, Hardy was charged in his as of July this year. The Panthers have since placed Hardy on the “exempt list” pending Hardy’s appeal in his case involving his ex-girlfriend. Whew, can we finally say we are ready for some football, right? “Not so fast my friend!” As popular commentator of ESPN’s College Game Day, Lee Corso would utter. As week two approached, the league was hit with yet another blow involving one of its most marketable superstars. Minnesota Vikings star running back, Adrian Peterson, was indicted on felony child abuse charges stemming from a whipping in which Peterson disciplined his son with tree branch; commonly known to black folks as a switch. At first, the Vikings stood behind their all-pro running back; but when advertisers such as Nike, started to back off of Peterson, the Vikings soon joined the party. There also seems to be yet another allegation of child abuse from another one of Peterson’s baby mother’s as well. But for now, the all-pro running back has been placed on the exempt list as well pending his sentencing for the child abuse charges that occurred in 2013. 
Now with the media pressure at an all-time high due to Peterson’s child abuse charges, Goddell, (feeling obliged from sponsors such as McDonald’s, Visa, Anheuser-Busch and Fed Ex) was again forced to react. Even after he modified the league’s domestic violence policy, the issue of child abuse (which is also included in the domestic violence policy btw) has lit a fire across America in regards to what is and what isn’t an appropriate way to discipline your children. Reports say Peterson has acknowledged his mistakes but feels he has done nothing wrong due to the fact of it was how he was raised. With the NFL’s most prolific running back now indefinitely sidelined, Goddell tried to ingratiate himself among his female fanbase by hiring a distinguished group of women to oversee the affairs in the league involving domestic violence and sexual assault. Among the accomplished group of women Lisa Friel, Jane Randel, and Rita Smith; the most noteworthy is former White House Official Cynthia C. Hogan, naming her Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs. While this may be an astronomical leap for the league for allowing a woman’s voice to be heard in a significant way involving domestic violence and off the field issues; we must remember one thing: the league and its player’s is overwhelmingly 66% black. And with the league’s attempt to solve its domestic violence issue; it left out an important demographic of people that suits the narrative: the black woman.
When it comes to the African-American community, sadly black women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) rates 35% higher than their white counterparts and 2.5 times the rate of men and other races. Yet when the NFL chose to elect female authoritative voices they disregarded the voice that impacts most of the league’s players the most. The group called “The Black Woman’s Roundtable,” has expressed its frustration with not including an African-American woman’s voice in the NFL’s attempt to clean up violence towards women as ABC News reports:
Not allowing an African-American voice to an apparent African-American issue (as the liberal media is propagandizing it) is utterly disrespectful knowing that it was an African-American woman–Janay Rice–who was at the fore front of this whole debacle. Unfortunately, this maybe the point at which some African-American readers may vehemently disagree with me; but on behalf of many ‘brotha’s’ out there who love our sista’s I would be remised if I didn’t mention the aggressive and abusive tendencies many African-American women engage in when it comes to our relationships. This is in no way an excuse for black men to go oops upside a black woman’s head; however, it’s also not an excuse for black women to go carte blanche on a black man in the midst of a domestic dispute either. I’m only speaking from the black perspective because I’ve seen an abundance of overly aggressive black women not only confront or verbally abuse their men, but physically abuse them as well. This is the core of my problem with this whole ‘domestic violence’ issue—especially–when it comes to the lack of culpability that black women play when it comes to domestic disputes. What seems to be the liberal media’s attempt to remind America that black men are nothing more “brutes and thugs,” you have black women (and black men) television personalities being propagated as staunch advocates against domestic violence and child abuse—while putting the guilty under the bus. Unfortunately, just like Ferguson, we as a community (so-called) only get outraged when the predominately white media is involved with a societal epidemic that not only affects people humanistically; but it took a black face (Ray Rice) to make the problem germane.
Please don’t get it twisted because I whole-heartily agree that if a man abuses a woman, he should be punished as applicable to law. However, I am NOT blind to the facts that many of our women are just as abusive in the relationships they encounter as well. See, a month and a half ago, Stephen A. Smith tried to balance out this issue over the democrat controlled airwaves of ESPN on his show called First Take. Only to no avail due to a colleague of his (Michelle Beadle) taking to Twitter venting her displeasure with Smith’s comments involving the word “provocation,” Even with all of the hoopla turned importance surrounding domestic violence, it continues to be a one-sided issue; which once again portrays women as weak, innocent victims and men as out of control brutes.. Some of y’all may not like my assertion about this dilemma (which domestic violence is important btw), but all I see is a political, feminist narrative being pushed for women to have just as much as a voice (and power) in what is called America’s favorite sport, pro-football; in what they call a bridging of the gap when it comes to gender equality. Simply stated, they want their voice to count.
While gender equality is not the reason why I did this article, the promotion of black men being public enemy number one is. Trust me; I’m not excusing any abuser of women and or of children. However, what I won’t put up with or stand for, is allowing the media to tell black people not only how to raise our children; but to propagandize and leave an impression that black men are not only a menace to society; but a threat to his family as well. Just remember how much the black athlete is perused even after he’s paid for his crime a la Michael Vick (who is still berated by apparent animal rights activists). Could you imagine if Rice or Peterson were to return to the league next year? Even while I’m finishing this article, there have been yet two more NFL athletes who have been brought to the media’s attention involving domestic violence: the Chicago Bear’s wide receiver, Brandon Marshall (on an old charge btw) and Arizona Cardinal’s running back, Johnathan Dwyer.
So this leads me to my most arguable, controversial, and contentious question yet. Will women (specifically black women) use not only Goddell’s new rule as leverage against African-American football players; but with the help of feminist organizations such as N.O.W. and the women involved with domestic violence and sexual assaults for the league—as a way to control not just football players, but to send an eerie message to men in general? Please understand my intent is not to point the finger, but to call attention to what could happen when we give a group of people too much power. Or maybe I should just remain naïve because with the help of feminist organizations maybe they will finally bring men and women together to further better an egalitarian in pro football.
There’s just one problem; I’m no fool. 
Fortunately, there is a phrase that says, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” so I believe not only black players will be targeted and extorted by the likes of so-called woman advocates (many who are really feminist) like Gloria Allred; but I’m reminded of a crooked system that’s already used to screw men in general.
And it’s administered through the family court system.
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“The NFL can seek to ban the use of the “N” word, but Hip hop can’t?”
“You never thought Hip Hop would take it this far..”-Notorious B.I.G.
Things has definitely gotten ‘juicy’ these days in the sports world as the verse above from
the entitled song called Juicy indicates. I know you maybe wondering, “What does hip hop have to do with this post?” The answer is everything. Unless you’ve lived under a rock or something, there were two stories that made national headlines involving the NFL and the issue of race. One, involving Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper, who was caught on video saying “I will fight every n*gger in here,” while attending a Kenny Chesney concert. Yea, I said the same thing. The the latter involved two Miami Dolphins offensive linemen, Richie Incognito and Johnathan Martin, where Incognito was accused of bullying tactics against Martin. Of these tactics, the most sinister included a voice mail message in which Incognito left racial slurs such as “Half n*gger piece of s**t.” With the national press, sports and televised media pinning the NFL into a corner, the usual question is always asked “Is racism still alive in America?” Even though in the eyes of many is the negative narrative, (it’s not really an issue anymore) the media will still satiate at the chance to cover any story about race, even if it’s at the cost of cheap ratings. This why those who “race bait” for a living have a never-ending career as political media pundits. Don’t believe me, just ask MSNBC.
Recently, the NFL has decided that the use of the “N” word will fall under the”unsportsmanlike” conduct rule which usually results in a 15-yard penalty during an NFL game. Richard Sherman, of the Seattle Seahawks, called such a rule “atrocious” and it’s often used in the locker room. Then Sherman went on to say “It’s almost racist, to me. It’s weird they’re targeting one specific word. Why wouldn’t all curse words be banned then?”(Espn.com) Although I agree with his statements, I personally commend the NFL for taking a stance against a known historically offensive word. Yes, there are other words which are used in our society which are considered lewd, profane and even blasphemous. However, we’re dealing with more than just a word, but a racial slur. A word, that when used by whites, would elicit intense rage due to its ominous past and how it was used towards blacks. By far, there is no other word in the English lexicon that breeds more contempt, hatred, discrimination, humiliation, degradation-yet many African-Americans, use this word as a term of endearment with each other. As posthumous rapper Tupac Shakur once said, “N*ggas are the ones with gold [chains] ropes, n*ggers where the ones hanging on the ropes [noose].” Interesting, Hip-hop’s most decorated and transcendent figures would make such a statement. But I’ll leave Tupac alone because you got people (just like Elvis) who still believe he’s alive, so I don’t want to catch the backlash after another album of his drops.
Hip hop originated over forty years ago in the South Bronx area of New York City. Some of its pioneers include: Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and KRS-One. Hip hop derives its art form on the strength of four fundamental elements which include: rap music, (oral) turntablism, (aural) breaking (physical) and graffiti art (visual) (Wikipedia.com). Since its start, hip hop was primarily a form of escapism for inner city youth through music and dance held at local neighborhood block parties. As the momentum of this new genre began to spread, Hip hop became more than just fun party music, it also became a social and political voice for many young African-Americans. One significant song at the time was Grand Master Flash’s “The Message, ” which spoke on issues such as poverty, violence and the neglect for the lives of black youth. There would be other socially conscious political groups such as Public Enemy, but through the years Hip hop has always managed to balance itself between being socially conscious, and culturally relevant. Even if it’s at the displeasure of others; including itself.
Hip hop heads and black people in general, have always used the “N” word, however it’s usage and popularity wasn’t always commercialized and acceptable as it is today-at least not by black people. Prior to the 60’s, African-Americans despised the word because of its negative connotation, and it served as a reminder of slavery, lynching, segregation and discrimination. In fact, some African-Americans didn’t even take kindly to the word negro, although it became a more accustomed name versus its earlier term, colored. Fast forward to 2014, the”N” word has become more ‘endearing,’ I mean popular, than ever. A word so repugnant, yet so widely celebrated and embraced not only in Hip hop, but by many African-Americans. Again, I know hip hop, heck black people didn’t create the “N” word. However, we as black people have a responsibility in how we carry ourselves and how we are perceived. It’s almost like hip-hoppers have become like the black Christian in a way. You know, the one that says “Don’t judge me, God knows my heart.” All while living a lifestyle that contradicts what the bible teaches entirely. Likewise, this is what the (black) rapper does when they make excuses for the usage of the word. Don’t get me wrong, even I used to use the word. When I say I used to use the “N” word, it was my favorite transitional word!! However, when I started hearing younger kids and females use the word openly in front of other non-black people, I thought to myself “Do we have no shame?” I implied ‘we’ because I was part of the problem-a problem which originated from my adherence to Hip hop music.
My point is this, if the NFL can take a stand against this socially deviant word at the price of protecting its business and image, why can’t Hip hop? This is not my attempt to be a reincarnation C. Delores Tucker or sound like those bought off so-called ‘black’ leaders. It just amazes me no other ethnic people group embraces or condones a racial slur as term of “endearment.” Even if other ethnic groups may call one another a slur, it doesn’t go outside of their community. Maybe that’s Hip hop’s, wait a minute, black America’s most troubling problem-the absence of community. See, when one comes from a community, the people ‘police’ it’s own. They don’t allow what is frowned upon or something that brings shame to their people, be looked at as an overall representation of their culture. They don’t glorify ghetto behavior. In relation to Hip hop, most of its participants unfortunately, come from environments which lack a sense of family AND community. Also, Hip hop in some peculiar way, became a Father figure to an otherwise fatherless generation. Now what does a natural Father demonstrate? They give structure, discipline, affirmation and most importantly, they teach honor. When you have no honor, you have no respect and rebellion becomes your alter-ego. Also, if we really look at Hip hop, you see many of its artists stuck in adolescence-arrested development I tend to call it. I could go deeper, but I’ll digress for now. In closing, I’m not saying you can change overnight in regards to using the “N” word. It has become a word that in all actuality, feels good to use (speaking from personal experience) but carries destructive results. I’ve heard black people from the preacher to educator, from the sweet old lady to the vile speaking thug. Some African-Americans believe there are some ‘black folk’ who actually personify the very meaning of the word! (that’s another story for another day, ha ha.) I just wish the so-called ‘elders’ of this Hip hop culture would call out this type of language and make it a serious matter. They have the platform, the influence and (to some degree) the power to promote change. If Hip hop can inspire young people across the U.S. to “Vote or Die” for our President a few years ago, why can’t it lead the charge on something that directly affects Hip hop it’s self? Sometimes we can’t hear or see exactly what’s really going on. That is until the music stops. ***drops the mic***
#PaperlessThoughts80 