It is 2012 and racism and discriminatory practices are still a harsh reality in our society and I am not too naïve or unrealistic to believe otherwise.
But perhaps my sincere desire to have racism end is a bit too idealistic.
I mean really, will we ever be able to end racism?
Probably not, but we can work to do everything possible to combat racism when it manifests its ugly head. This includes not only talking about the problems, but also working towards tangible solutions to the problem and reasonable punishments for people who conduct racist acts.
America is more racially diverse today than ever before. There was a time not long ago when Blacks and whites were the primary racial identities and seeing a lot of other diversities was rare. Now, however, things are different. Our society is populated with various ethnicities and nationalities and it is a wonderful thing to see.
So maybe it’s our current multiculturalism that has me overly hopeful that racism would end. To me it just seems logical to accept people for who they are and not ridicule them for what they aren’t. That is what racists essentially do: they mock and degrade others for being different.
This is ever present in the sports arena.
Last week, Joel Ward a Black hockey player for the Washington Capitals, scored the game-winning goal against reigning champions the Boston Bruins. I don’t follow sports that much, but I have been told that Boston fans are the absolute worst and can be downright brutal. After Ward’s playoff series-winning goal, I understood just how bad some (not all) Bostonians could be.
The fury that erupted on the Internet after Ward’s play was highly offensive to say the least. Bloggers and anonymous posters called Ward every derogatory name out there including “ni**er” and “monkey.” They even spewed hate-laced comments like “that ni**er deserves to hang.”
Such nasty and disrespectful things were said because Ward’s goal won the playoff series. How ridiculous has this society become? Ward didn’t do anything horrible or illegal like kill someone or rob a bank…he won a game. The fact that people can get so riled up over a Black man winning a game is truly unfortunate.
Another instance in sports where racism was displayed during a brief altercation between football (soccer) players John Terry of Chelsea and Queens Park Ranger Anton Ferdinand. Terry, who is white allegedly called Ferdinand a “f***ing Black c**t.” Video of the incident appear to show Terry using the words, but the Chelsea captain claims he only said the words because he thought Ferdinand accused him of using the racial slur so he repeated it and said he would never use that term.
Terry’s version isn’t so believable, especially when you see his facial expression when making the comment.
So in Ward’s instance, we have fans who said derogatory things about a professional athlete. As despicable as the comments were, fans “demonstrating” their hurtful beliefs or feelings about an athlete is not that uncommon. Remember Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays?
What is uncommon however is athlete-to-athlete racism. Every aspect of playing sports centers on teamwork and camaraderie. And even when opposing teams match-up, there is generally a level of respect athletes give one another. Terry has proved that is no longer the case.
As a result of his actions, the Football Association has stripped Terry of his captaincy and influentials such as England’s Prime Minister David Cameron and soccer great David Beckham have publically criticized Terry’s actions. Terry is currently awaiting his July 9 trial date.
It is important to note that Blacks are not the only recipients of racism and other discriminatory practices.
Scott Henson can attest to that.
Henson, a white Texan was detained while walking with his 5-year-old Black granddaughter, Ty. Ty’s mother is Henson’s goddaughter and after her parents died, Henson and his wife raised her. The couple does typical grandparent things with Ty including taking her to the skating rink.
Last February after being at the rink, Henson and his granddaughter decided to walk home instead of wait for his wife to pick them up.
Henson was stopped by a deputy constable who said there were reports of a white man kidnapping a Black child.
The deputy questioned Ty who boldly proclaimed, “He’s my grandpa.” Satisfied, the deputy released Henson and Ty.
As the two continued their walk, they were later met by five police cars and several officers. This time Henson was detained and Ty was placed in a police car until the man and child’s relationship could be confirmed.
Henson said the police “roughed” him up and traumatized Ty.
“How hard would it have been to perform a safety check without running up on me like I’m John Dillinger and scaring the crap out of a 5-year-old,” said Henson.
There are thousands of people like Ward, Ferdinand and Henson who receive maltreatment every day because of racism and the “box” some people believe everyone belongs in. It is not fair, but it is reality. How unfortunate.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
