There is Something Missing in Today's Black Culture
The Facebook Migration Series, Volume V
Originally written September 22, 2009
In this note, I will not, and I probably could not if I tried, attempt to discuss what "Black" culture exactly is. I will not go down that road simply because defining a culture is tremendously subjective. Obviously, all cultures are linked by certain things, such as the need for companionship, rites of passage, survival, et cetera. Nonetheless, many have tried to define exactly what Black culture is. There are some things that that could be identified as belonging to Blacks, but they are never homogeneous.
Once upon a time, Black people were in a state of oppression. Nevermind that many today will harp on about how Blacks are still oppressed. Whatever. That is for them to decide. To be honest, I am thinking I do not have to tell the story of Black America, for it (at least it should be) is already well known. During times of oppression, the oppressed need something to give them hope or to galvanize them. Blacks were no different. This is when Blacks developed that strong kinship bond within the community, which I do not see as much as I used to see. The boundaries of kinship extended far beyond the immediate family. It was an actual community of kin, whether blood-related or not. There was, I guess it still is, the church. Ironically, Christianity was not very widespread in pre-colonial Africa. Many of the initial Blacks that have come here did not have roots in Christianity. However, Christianity was available to them via their oppressor. Although this was not their spiritual vehicle in the Motherland, they rallied around good ole' JC to give them hope. Of course, Blacks took Christianity and made their own version of it, which added pieces of Black culture at that time. What's funny is that Christianity that has made its way down to the present day is shunned by many Black people. I have rid myself of all "faith" of any kind, thus, making me non Christian. People know this and struggle with me not being a Christian because I still conduct myself in a virtuous manner. More than several Black people have told me that I have just "lost my way" and that I should stay away from "Black" churches, because they do not send the right message of the Word. I guess. It sort of like a call girl telling me how trashy the street hooker is. Whatever. Black people also held on to family mainly because this was what they could rely on most.
Moving on, Blacks were into athletics just as many other people. Once upon a time, it was notable to be a jockey, as in horse racing. That is hard to tell now, because the jockeys you may see todays are some Keebler Elf looking dude that sounds like Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks. There is also this sport that is considered to the National Pastime, baseball. I would argue that baseball is no longer the national pastime. This honor goes to football, big time college football and the NFL. Baseball is lucky that it runs unopposed during the summer when there is nothing on television and no other major sports in session. Baseball is the main source of this note. Once upon a time, baseball was important to us Black folks. Jackie Robinson is all I need to say ab out him. However, it went far beyond Jackie Robinson.
The first substantial Negro League was established in 1920 by Rube Foster. Just to give you a little unknown fact, Jackie was not the first Black player to play in the "Major League." It was actually Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1883. He played for some professional team from Toledo, Ohio I believe. Anyhow, Blacks in baseball were numerous. Many probably could name Satchel Page, who was part of that generation just before the likes of Henry Aaron and Willie Mays hit the scene. There was also Black legends like Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Biz Mackey, Double Duty Radcliff, Turkey Stearnes, Pop Lloyd, and many more. Of course these were mostly nicknames usually relating to their style of play. These greats were shunned from the Major League by the infamous Gentleman's Agreement. Blacks were not officially legislated out of Major League baseball. However, the owners colluded against Blacks, and agreed not to sign them. This doomed Walker and things remained as such until the late 1940s when Branch Rickey took a chance on a mild-mannered young man from Pasadena, California (woot woooot!).
Being shunned from "The Show," Blacks gathered to form their own professional league. It wasn't nearly as financially lucrative at the Major Leagues, but they did it. They played a style that was far more dramatic, flashy, and fast than the Major League. They actually drew audiences beyond Blacks. I wish I could be there to see the Monarchs and Grays have at it. I would also like to have seen how when the Negro Leagues played the Major Leagues in exhibitions, the Negro Leagues actually won a little less than two-thirds of the games.
Baseball was something that galvanized Blacks during times of racial turmoil. It served multiple purposes. For one, it was leisure and entertainment. Two, it provided a league for professionals to compete when they were shunned from the major leagues. Three, it was another platform that showed how the racial inferiority concept was nonsense. Blacks baseball players showed consistently how they were more than capable of playing with and against white players. Lastly, it helped raise the hopes of a systematically oppressed group of people.
What happened? Today, if you ask a young Black male how he feels about baseball, he will probably look at you and laugh vigorously. "Baseball?! Man I HATE baseball," is what he will say. Note only does he not like baseball, he hates it. Ouch. For, I guess, several reasons, young Black males hate baseball. This makes me very sad. In sports, I figure young Black males see the LeBrons, the Kobes, the Vicks, the Sanders (Deion and Barry) and want that route. The hell with Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. (my favorite childhood player) or Gary Sheffield, apparently. I hear many things about why baseball is hateable (no such word). It's slow. It takes too long to make it to the majors. It's boring. And it goes on. I would admit that baseball has done less than a pathetic job in marketing its game to young people, especially Black people. However, I cannot help feeling like Black culture has been slapped in the face by today's young Black males. I am not saying they should loved the game, but at least not hate it. This was a game played by many of my heroes. It was a sport that gave Black people some hope when they needed it. It served as another platform to show how ludicrous racial inequality was. To totally turn your back on baseball hurts, but I do not have a problem if that is how people feel about it. It still hurts though.
Many of the aspiring football and basketball players will not make it to the NBA or NFL. For nearly all of them, their fate was sealed the moment they were conceived. Basketball and football are genetically biased. As for me, I knew instantly that I had not shot at even scoring a college scholarship in football or basketball due to my genetics. I just did not get the genes of a LeBron or Adrian Peterson (man he's a beast). I did not waste my time trying to do something I could never do no matter how hard I worked. So, I hit the books! Though I do not believe in regrets, because my ill-decisions allowed me to mold into what I am today, I wish I would have tried baseball as a youth if only to see how far I could have taken it. For all those basketball and football players that have or had dreams of the NBA or NFL that have no shot at making it, they have or had the potential to possibly make it in baseball. Think about it, baseball is the one sport that says you can work hard and you will have at least a shot at the pros. Football and basketball will write you off with one look at you and know that you do not have the body to make it regardless of hard you try. For those 5-11 wannabe Kobes that will never make it, they could possibly make millions in baseball playing shortstop or centerfield. Hall of fame Baseball player Dave Winfield was drafted by the NFL, NBA, and MLB! He chose baseball. Baseball will not leave your body in as bad shape, you can make great money while not getting your body killed, and you can play much longer, which allows you to make more money. And, it's pretty fun if you try it. If you look, notice how many multisport athletes choose baseball over other sports. Matt Kemp, Todd Helton, Jeff Samardja (that receiver from Notre Dame), among others, chose baseball for the reason mentioned above. It's a great lifestyle. Young Black males think otherwise.
My main point is that you absolutely cannot tell an accurate, complete story about Black America without talking about baseball, and today, most Black people could give a hoot about baseball. It may not be significant, but I cannot help feeling a loss for us Black people.
Originally written September 22, 2009
Once upon a time, Black people were in a state of oppression. Nevermind that many today will harp on about how Blacks are still oppressed. Whatever. That is for them to decide. To be honest, I am thinking I do not have to tell the story of Black America, for it (at least it should be) is already well known. During times of oppression, the oppressed need something to give them hope or to galvanize them. Blacks were no different. This is when Blacks developed that strong kinship bond within the community, which I do not see as much as I used to see. The boundaries of kinship extended far beyond the immediate family. It was an actual community of kin, whether blood-related or not. There was, I guess it still is, the church. Ironically, Christianity was not very widespread in pre-colonial Africa. Many of the initial Blacks that have come here did not have roots in Christianity. However, Christianity was available to them via their oppressor. Although this was not their spiritual vehicle in the Motherland, they rallied around good ole' JC to give them hope. Of course, Blacks took Christianity and made their own version of it, which added pieces of Black culture at that time. What's funny is that Christianity that has made its way down to the present day is shunned by many Black people. I have rid myself of all "faith" of any kind, thus, making me non Christian. People know this and struggle with me not being a Christian because I still conduct myself in a virtuous manner. More than several Black people have told me that I have just "lost my way" and that I should stay away from "Black" churches, because they do not send the right message of the Word. I guess. It sort of like a call girl telling me how trashy the street hooker is. Whatever. Black people also held on to family mainly because this was what they could rely on most.
Moving on, Blacks were into athletics just as many other people. Once upon a time, it was notable to be a jockey, as in horse racing. That is hard to tell now, because the jockeys you may see todays are some Keebler Elf looking dude that sounds like Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks. There is also this sport that is considered to the National Pastime, baseball. I would argue that baseball is no longer the national pastime. This honor goes to football, big time college football and the NFL. Baseball is lucky that it runs unopposed during the summer when there is nothing on television and no other major sports in session. Baseball is the main source of this note. Once upon a time, baseball was important to us Black folks. Jackie Robinson is all I need to say ab out him. However, it went far beyond Jackie Robinson.
The first substantial Negro League was established in 1920 by Rube Foster. Just to give you a little unknown fact, Jackie was not the first Black player to play in the "Major League." It was actually Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1883. He played for some professional team from Toledo, Ohio I believe. Anyhow, Blacks in baseball were numerous. Many probably could name Satchel Page, who was part of that generation just before the likes of Henry Aaron and Willie Mays hit the scene. There was also Black legends like Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Biz Mackey, Double Duty Radcliff, Turkey Stearnes, Pop Lloyd, and many more. Of course these were mostly nicknames usually relating to their style of play. These greats were shunned from the Major League by the infamous Gentleman's Agreement. Blacks were not officially legislated out of Major League baseball. However, the owners colluded against Blacks, and agreed not to sign them. This doomed Walker and things remained as such until the late 1940s when Branch Rickey took a chance on a mild-mannered young man from Pasadena, California (woot woooot!).
Being shunned from "The Show," Blacks gathered to form their own professional league. It wasn't nearly as financially lucrative at the Major Leagues, but they did it. They played a style that was far more dramatic, flashy, and fast than the Major League. They actually drew audiences beyond Blacks. I wish I could be there to see the Monarchs and Grays have at it. I would also like to have seen how when the Negro Leagues played the Major Leagues in exhibitions, the Negro Leagues actually won a little less than two-thirds of the games.
Baseball was something that galvanized Blacks during times of racial turmoil. It served multiple purposes. For one, it was leisure and entertainment. Two, it provided a league for professionals to compete when they were shunned from the major leagues. Three, it was another platform that showed how the racial inferiority concept was nonsense. Blacks baseball players showed consistently how they were more than capable of playing with and against white players. Lastly, it helped raise the hopes of a systematically oppressed group of people.
What happened? Today, if you ask a young Black male how he feels about baseball, he will probably look at you and laugh vigorously. "Baseball?! Man I HATE baseball," is what he will say. Note only does he not like baseball, he hates it. Ouch. For, I guess, several reasons, young Black males hate baseball. This makes me very sad. In sports, I figure young Black males see the LeBrons, the Kobes, the Vicks, the Sanders (Deion and Barry) and want that route. The hell with Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. (my favorite childhood player) or Gary Sheffield, apparently. I hear many things about why baseball is hateable (no such word). It's slow. It takes too long to make it to the majors. It's boring. And it goes on. I would admit that baseball has done less than a pathetic job in marketing its game to young people, especially Black people. However, I cannot help feeling like Black culture has been slapped in the face by today's young Black males. I am not saying they should loved the game, but at least not hate it. This was a game played by many of my heroes. It was a sport that gave Black people some hope when they needed it. It served as another platform to show how ludicrous racial inequality was. To totally turn your back on baseball hurts, but I do not have a problem if that is how people feel about it. It still hurts though.
Many of the aspiring football and basketball players will not make it to the NBA or NFL. For nearly all of them, their fate was sealed the moment they were conceived. Basketball and football are genetically biased. As for me, I knew instantly that I had not shot at even scoring a college scholarship in football or basketball due to my genetics. I just did not get the genes of a LeBron or Adrian Peterson (man he's a beast). I did not waste my time trying to do something I could never do no matter how hard I worked. So, I hit the books! Though I do not believe in regrets, because my ill-decisions allowed me to mold into what I am today, I wish I would have tried baseball as a youth if only to see how far I could have taken it. For all those basketball and football players that have or had dreams of the NBA or NFL that have no shot at making it, they have or had the potential to possibly make it in baseball. Think about it, baseball is the one sport that says you can work hard and you will have at least a shot at the pros. Football and basketball will write you off with one look at you and know that you do not have the body to make it regardless of hard you try. For those 5-11 wannabe Kobes that will never make it, they could possibly make millions in baseball playing shortstop or centerfield. Hall of fame Baseball player Dave Winfield was drafted by the NFL, NBA, and MLB! He chose baseball. Baseball will not leave your body in as bad shape, you can make great money while not getting your body killed, and you can play much longer, which allows you to make more money. And, it's pretty fun if you try it. If you look, notice how many multisport athletes choose baseball over other sports. Matt Kemp, Todd Helton, Jeff Samardja (that receiver from Notre Dame), among others, chose baseball for the reason mentioned above. It's a great lifestyle. Young Black males think otherwise.
My main point is that you absolutely cannot tell an accurate, complete story about Black America without talking about baseball, and today, most Black people could give a hoot about baseball. It may not be significant, but I cannot help feeling a loss for us Black people.
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