The Great Debate: Who is the Point Guard of Prejudice against Blacks in America, Blacks or the Field? (Part 1)

The NBA Playoffs is one of my favorite sports tourneys; with its classic battles of big stars and compelling storylines, the tournament is rarely short on fireworks. The 2014 NBA Playoffs has been no different, yet some of the biggest sparks were launched from outside the arena. Over a span of three weeks, comments from NBA owners and officials on race, specifically African Americans, has caused a stir at both water coolers and television networks alike. In a feat unpredicted by the best psychics, the NBA, a league in which over 70% of the players are Black, has shown that prejudice is as common as ever. 

While this should come as no surprise, it must be noted that these beliefs and actions now surface in more..."creative" forms. For the African American community, a huge challenge remains in developing a sound attack against the misconceptions. Creating a balance between acknowledging certain prejudice and stereotypes and making a planned effort not to perpetuate these same stereotypes is both a hot button issue and the delay in attack of other important issues facing us in America.

The practice of prejudice is completely unacceptable,
but how does dress and behavior play a role (if any)?

On a recent episode of sports debate show "First Take", ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith discussed the backlash he received from stating that he had no problem with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's recent interview touching on prejudice in this country. After stating that he understood Cuban's comments and that they spoke to prejudice overall as opposed to specifically against Blacks, Smith, one of the media's most outspoken personalities on race relations, was labeled among other insults an Uncle Tom. The statements from both Stephen A. and Cuban come mere weeks after the controversial comments from another NBA owner Donald Sterling. Sterling's comments have caused an out pour of reflection from both media and social networks, vacillating between racist, indifferent, and outraged.

Smith's response however ignites a separate debate, one on our own race's involvement in the current dilemmas of the Black community. Unemployment, education, substandard housing conditions, and violence highlight the challenges that affect both
those of the race and the perception of people outside it, not the
view of an NBA owner.

While Sterling's views are controversial, it is his history of
denying minorities better living conditions that
is more egregious.

As a graduate of a Historically Black College, published writer, and entrepreneur, I understand the premise of both Smith and Cuban's remarks as well as the dilemma of taking one side in this debate. I was raised on recognizing the importance of working hard to navigate through and combat the pitfalls of social inequality in the world. Unfortunately, my degrees, two novels, nor my We're Just Talking sitcom prevented two white boys from calling my family and I "Niggers" from a speeding car outside a Walmart. Last week. In PENNSYLVANIA. Not Sanford, Florida or Biloxi, Mississippi but Pennsylvania, the home of the Gettysburg Address, Declaration of Independence, and the Liberty Bell. This debate will continue on for many more days, and all involved must decide their stance. Does your concern lie in your impact, how you're impacted, or a happy medium? Can a concerted effort from a race to improve the graduation rate and attack the murder epidemic in urban cities impact a global perception? Are we even trying? 

Take a look at Smith's comments below in preparation for part 2 of this series.

Ceddy P