My mother needed a ride to her hair appointment on Wed last week (shoulder surgery, can't drive) and we had a heated discussion about Tiger Woods.
She held a similar opinion to Jim Brown's statement about Tiger's lack of acceptance of his "BLACKNESS".
The opinion is that unless he speaks out for blacks; he does not accept being black.
By claiming that he is multi-cultural, rather than black or Asian that he does not accept his heritage.
My mother went on to say that interracial children chose which of their parents culture to "identify" themselves with.
In other words a mixed child will choose to be "black" or "the other nationality" (i.e.. White; Asian; Mexican).
She stated an example of a couple we know of; whereas the daughter identifies with her blackness; as her two brothers identify themselves with white.
Now my opinion is that Tiger has accepted BOTH of his backgrounds by claiming he is not black nor Asian but multi-cultural.
I don't understand how anyone, especially someone with Tiger's complexion can deny he is black.
That being said, Tiger doesn't accept being black because he doesn't speak out as a leader for blacks???
He is a golfer; plain and simple. He may/may not be a role model but he is NOT a black leader.
Martin Luther King was a black leader; Malcolm X was a leader; ATHLETES ARE NOT LEADERS.
Because people follow you does not make you a leader.
My questions are:
1) Whose opinion do you support and why?
2) If you feel that Tiger does not recognize his black heritage; what does he need to do to show that he does?
3) Because he is the #1 golfer in the world; does that make him a black leader?
She held a similar opinion to Jim Brown's statement about Tiger's lack of acceptance of his "BLACKNESS".
The opinion is that unless he speaks out for blacks; he does not accept being black.
By claiming that he is multi-cultural, rather than black or Asian that he does not accept his heritage.
My mother went on to say that interracial children chose which of their parents culture to "identify" themselves with.
In other words a mixed child will choose to be "black" or "the other nationality" (i.e.. White; Asian; Mexican).
She stated an example of a couple we know of; whereas the daughter identifies with her blackness; as her two brothers identify themselves with white.
Now my opinion is that Tiger has accepted BOTH of his backgrounds by claiming he is not black nor Asian but multi-cultural.
I don't understand how anyone, especially someone with Tiger's complexion can deny he is black.
That being said, Tiger doesn't accept being black because he doesn't speak out as a leader for blacks???
He is a golfer; plain and simple. He may/may not be a role model but he is NOT a black leader.
Martin Luther King was a black leader; Malcolm X was a leader; ATHLETES ARE NOT LEADERS.
Because people follow you does not make you a leader.
My questions are:
1) Whose opinion do you support and why?
2) If you feel that Tiger does not recognize his black heritage; what does he need to do to show that he does?
3) Because he is the #1 golfer in the world; does that make him a black leader?
Learn All About Me
3 comments:
Personally? I feel folk should leave Tiger the hell alone! He has done more for golf and sports altogether and has by example lived a to be admired and hopefully aspired life by example by the young people that watch him! Thanks Jim! We are no longer relegated to the back of the bus and preciate you for all you did towards that! I say New Day/New Way!
I think that everyone has a right to decide who they are or what color they are. Tiger did that and there is nothing we can do about it or have him change his mind about his color.
Just because Tiger is the premier golfer in the world doesn't make him a leader. Tiger has the right to decide what he is in regards to his nationality. He can rightly say that he is multicultural; his father was black and his mother asian (Thai). He is under no obligation to speak out for black issues. However, he can't deny that he is half black. That being said, he has to live with his decision on his nationality, and we should accept his decision (like it or not).
Post a Comment