A recent development with Mike Rice, now former
head coach of the Rutgers men’s basketball team, shows footage of Rice beating
his players at practices. Here is a clip:
I was shocked when I heard news of a Division I
basketball coach (a school moving to the Big Ten next year) beating his
players, but knew immediately how relatable it is to my studies in school at
this time. I am researching around the question: Why are there more black
players and fewer black executives, or positions of importance, in the NBA?
My studies have been anchored behind the book
"Forty Million Dollar Slaves" by Bill Rhoden, a black sports
columnist for the New York Times (Click here to read further about Rhoden's book).
The book talks about blacks struggles in sports throughout history and their
failure to collectively cash in on positions of authority.
Rhoden talks about Muhammad Ali and his refusal
to join the U.S. Army, risking everything: "When Ali was stripped of his
title, it was as if he were being whipped by the overseer" (Rhoden 18).
While Ali being stripped of his heavyweight does not relate directly to the
players of the Rutgers basketball team, it has relevance. On a basketball court
dominated by blacks, these players were being stripped of their dignity by
Coach Rice with his actions. Mike Rice is representing the
"overseer," physically throwing basketballs and abusing his players.
Rice's actions against his players were
completely out of line, and the university did well by firing him. This
reflects negatively on white coaches, but especially on the progression of
integration in the sports world. If Mike Rice, a white coach, is beating his
(predominantly black) players like this in 2013, how far have we really come
regarding racial issues and sports in America? An interesting question to
consider. Feel free to respond in the comment section below.
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