It may be the 21st century, but some things never change. There will always be those who speak before they think, thus showing their ignorance and stupidity. And those who have their own agenda, and think only of grabbing the spotlight and not of the best interests of those they represent. John Rocker and Jesse Jackson are an example of each.
John Rocker's insensitive and ignorant utterances are the easiest to condemn. Is Rocker a racist? I don't know and won't condemn him as such since I don't know how he thinks and feels. For me to call him a racist without knowing those things would only make me as guilty of insensitivity and stupidity as he is. By his own words, Rocker admits he's a "redneck." The trouble with Rocker identifying himself this way is that it paints all rednecks as racist. His comments are unfair to all "rednecks." I'm sure there are a few, if not many "rednecks" who may be "good ol' country boys and gals," but not necessarily racist. We're all a product of our influences and experiences.
The U.S. Constitution protects Rocker's right to say what he thinks. It doesn't protect him from being punished by baseball if what he says is unacceptable by baseball's standards. Baseball sees John Rocker no differently then they saw Marge Schott, who they suspended for racially insensitive comments. Rocker and Schott have a lot in common. Both were uneducated in enlightened views on humanity. Neither have an appreciation for cultural diversity or have walked in the shoes of those they were verbally insensitive to. Both were stupid to express their feelings to the media and expect those feelings would be accepted in any context but inflammatory; and both are puzzled at why they are considered racist by the media and the public. Give them credit for one thing: at least you know where they stand, which in many cases is better then the person who says one thing, but thinks and acts differently- those are the scary people.
Baseball really doesn't have to punish Rocker. The media, his teammates and baseball peers and the public will do that sufficiently. He'll live with the stigma of is he or isn't he a racist? His minority teammates will put a wall between them and him, no matter how many saves he has. Other minority players will try a little harder to rough him up in a game. The fans will turn up the verbal heat everywhere he goes. And, the worse part for Rocker is he won't be able to defend himself or say a thing. If Rocker wants to prove he isn't what others perceive him to be, all he has to do is admit his mistake, endure the humiliation in silence and continue to admit his mistake when asked about it, which will be a thousand times. Eventually, time will push it to the back of people's minds.
If Rocker's actions are the easiest to condemn, then Jesse Jackson's actions are the hardest to defend.
Jackson played the race card. Nothing wrong with that when it's appropriate, but Jackson uses it for everything, and it's losing its effectiveness, causing a backlash, and doing a real disservice to African-Americans and all minorities who have a legitimate claim of being discriminated against. To claim or even question whether former Green Bay Packer coach Ray Rhodes' firing was racially motivated was an act of stupidity and ignorance on Jackson's part. You noticed neither Ray Rhodes or any black athlete came out to support Jackson's questions, comments and accusations.
Jackson's "shoot from the hip" racial style will make it harder for other qualified African American coaches to get their chance at an NFL head coaching position. White owners don't want the hassle or the accusations if they have to fire a black coach after one game, one season or whenever. That means that in assessing head coaching candidates, in making a close, final decision more than likely the owner will pick the candidate who represents the least hassle if the owner has to fire him- and we all know who that will be.
Jackson's stupidity came in not doing his homework and not understanding the arena he was entering to make his racial accusations. In the business of sports, winning is everything. It doesn't matter what the person looks like- if they're black, white or pink. If they can win, then they can coach their team. If they can't, then they're gone. Jackson is totally out of his league when he questioned the firing of Rhodes. Rhodes was black when he was hired and black when he was fired. If you check the NFL record book, you'll see many white coaches who were fired after one season and some who were let go in less then a season. While minorities may not have an equal opportunity in being hired in key positions in sports, being fired in sports knows no racial discrimination. If Jackson had done his homework and not let his mouth lead his mind, he wouldn't have come off looking like a bully and stupid for picking Rhodes' firing as a battleground for racial injustice. All people want is fairness when it comes to sensitive issues such as race. Supposedly, that's what Jackson wants. If he wants to have credibility, then he also should come out vociferously when a white coach is fired after one year.
In the final analysis, Rocker and Jackson are the easily identified examples of the polarization of race and its issues. Sports are not immune from the debate or accusations of racial insensitivity or attitudes. The answer is simple. Each of us must be non-judgmental, open minded and contemporary in our attitudes and thinking. To not do so will only make us that many more John Rockers and Jesse Jacksons.
I feel better now.
I'm Ron Barr.
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