Jacques Must Go!

 

 

PHILADELPHIA -- In our Olympic epitaph, the most vivid image to me isn't Michael Phelps draped in gold, or the relieved faces of the USA Men's basketball team in their victorious run.

If my reflection could've been in a mirror at the moment International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's celebration after smashing the world record in the 100-meter dash was "disrespectful", that would've been it.

For Rogge to go out of his way to trash this young man after he trained meticulously for four years to narrow his focus to one moment; and not only succeed, but overcome the odds -- and the stop watch -- to set three world records in three races was more ridiculous than racist.

But, make no mistake; the racist intent was there. Throughout the games, we had a wrestler toss his bronze medal away because he felt he had been jobbed by the officials; and not a peep from Rogge.

Questions arose regarding the age of some of the Chinese gymnasts; but Rogge is nowhere to be heard from. The father-in-law of an American coach is murdered in Beijing; but gets a muted, measured response from Rogge.

A Cuban martial artist drop kicks an official for what he feels is unfair treatment, and Rogge mumbles his displeasure as he disqualifies him from future Games

---

 

 

But in the signature event, with literally the whole world watching, he insults The World's Fastest Man for...winning.

And like the pompous parrot he is, NBC‘s Bob Costas revels in the moment to cast his dispersions on the feat. Costas' comments were passed like the baton in the mile relay to the scurrilous swamp sows at SportsCenter, who were happy to echo his sentiments.

After Bolt obtained his third gold in the 4x100 relay, the comments had died down, but the damage was done.

With one asinine statement, Rogge attained heights scaled by only the Nazi-loving bastard Avery Brundage, who chastised the Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Games, but welcomed the "Sieg Heil!" of Hitler and the host Germans.

A salute that is now punishable by arrest and imprisonment -- in Germany.

Brundage's hard on for the Nazis, however, pales in comparison to Rogge's love for himself. Like most arrogant pricks, he truly feels he did the Games a favor by offering his opinion; when all he really did was expose more red herrings in his wordy elaborations of Bolt's performance after the fact.

In that regard, Olympic management is no different than that of most corporations; with this glaring exception: most companies usually reward achievement, not berate it.

So this CEO of the Olympic Games has shown through his babbling and blurting, he is not ready for the responsibilities which come with the job. In the real world, this means your **** needs to be fired.

 

 

But like World Com and Enron, the dead weight at the top stays until someone does something so egregious that it brings the whole foundation toppling down.  

Brundage's cowardice and lack of objectivity in 1936 plunged the Olympic Games into the political morass it is now; and unctuous ****s like Rogge merely punctuate the politics by destroying the very spirit of the Games they profess to uphold. 

 

 

IMPORTANCE OF
BLACK ATHLETES



ON HBO AND IN BOOK STORES

Well one athlete made  the Cut

to appear on the cover of

" The Black List" the

NEW HBO series

book version

Even better Serena  Williams is first among "equals." Among 12 photos of prominent African  Americans pictured on the cover Serena is placed #1. Obviously that was  someone's editorial decision. No reason to think it happened randomly.

The other Black athlete  included in this highly touted HBO series beginning this week and the  accompanying book is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. TWO athletes out of 23  profiles included in "The Black List" as it is bring currently aired.  This is Volume One.

The HBO film and the  book are the work of

veteran film critic Elvis Mitchell

here is how he describes  it

" One of the purposes of  this Black List is to track the black experience in America, and by  doing so, to exhibit the wealth of variety in it. What's evident from  the speakers on the Black List is how that experience defies  definition. Vernon Jordan puts it as simply as saying that  African-American thought is not monolithic. Women's rights crusader Faye Wattleton voices the idea that integration has caused problems as  well as solved them; the areas that once housed every layer of the  African-American social strata, from professionals to laborers, clergy  to philosophers, offered illustrations of virtue to all within hailing  distance; once those restrictions that kept blacks together were  removed, a whole class of people was left behind without models next  door to follow through the corridors of attainment. The necessity of  having examples literally within reach is not lost on her."

" For those pursuing  art, avoiding the simplistic classifications of blackness is a  full-time occupation itself; dancer-choreographer Bill T. Jones  discusses the limitations of the cliché of black rage, and the dangers  of not acknowledging his blackness first and foremost -- which for him  was an aesthetic self-abnegation but which his detractors saw as  renunciation and selling out. Dealing with blackness for others is a  call to arms; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks embraces what might be called the nontraditional behavior of black  audiences by providing context for it and looking to incorporate these  responses into her work. "

Our focus is the place  of African American athletes in the process. Specifically 2 athletes  among 23 African Americans featured. Looking at the list of those  interviewed it is hard to argue any of these women and men should have  been bumped in favor of more athletes. Some notable points made by  Abdul-Jabbar are that he was a journalism major and had written several  books. As for Serena she laments that she is always asked fluff  questions by the Sports media rather than serious questions about her Tennis strategy. Give the Box an opportunity Serena !

The real point of this  series and these two athletes is that the thoughtful interview process  employed uncovers layers of surprise about well known African Americans  we never see or hear in the often stereotyped way they are presented  their well known fame repeated again and again without the media and  others ever probing more deeply.

Hopefully in this era of  Barack Obama

there will be many more  volumes of

The Black List to come  and many

more thoughtful  fascinating

lives of African American

athletes deeply explored

with the interview used

as well as it is here

in The Black List

SERENA WILLIAMS FEATURED

 

 

THIS BEER'S
FOR YOU
VIJAY



BEER OF CHAMPIONS

 

Although few notice

there is ONE other

very Black golfer

on the PGA Tour

more noticeable

with Tiger gone

What Vijay Singh has  proven two of the last three weekends with IMPRESSIVE PGA Tour  Victories is that Golf can be just as exciting to follow and watch in Tiger Woods' absence even more when there is another Champion Black Golfer on the Course.

Vijay Singh may be  Fijian rather than African AMERICAN. So what.  Is there any doubt his  ancestors are straight out of AFRICA the same as African AMERICANS or  that here in America he is "received" as AFRICAN American. What clearly  separates Vijay from Tiger is that Vijay does not go around denying his Blackness as Woods does by deed and omission.

Let's turn to this past  Weekend

The Barclays Tournament

1st Round of the FedEx  Cup

Tiger NO where to be seen

WHAT A FINISH !!!

If it had been Tiger the  media would be shouting it at the top of their White Lungs proclaiming  Tiger ever GREATER than God ( again ) for the heroic impossible finish  coming back again and again throughout the Last Round tying the Almost  Great Sergio Garcia and Up And Coming Kevin Sutherland and FORCING a  Play-off on the 18th hole.

Then Vijay sinking a Birdie from 27 feet after Sergio first sank a Birdie from 27 feet on  the first sudden-DEATH hole poised to claim his Play-off Victory  confidence RADIATING from his face NO way Vijay would duplicate his  almost impossible Feat BUT VIJAY DID ! Imagine if it had been Tiger the  action would have halted while the Fans hoisted Tiger on their  shoulders and paraded all over the golf course PROCLAIMING him the  Messiah of Golf ( again ).

Here in the Real World

it was on to the second

SUDDEN Death Hole

only Vijay & Sergio

Sutherland GONE

Now on the 17th Hole  Garcia CRACKED from the PRESSURE as would have been expected if it were  him and Tiger. Sergio hit an errant Drive next to a tree over an animal  burrow while Vijay Drove his Ball long and straight. Garcia struggled  to the Green. Then Vijay took his Club in hand and expertly flawlessly  Birdied yet another hole to WIN the Barclays !!

Praise the Lord ALL

hail the new BLACK

Champion of Golf

Vijay Singh is now #2 in  earnings for 2008 just slightly behind Tiger who he will surpass very  soon since Tiger's season is Over. The only question now will Vijay  keep up this level of play (he can be somewhat inconsistent at times)  and claim the FedEx Cup, a cool $10 Million for winning it and be named  PGA Golfer of the Year for the second time.

WHAT'S WITH THE BEER ??

It's Vijay's brand. It  is Thailand's best Singha - Singh drinks Singha - Vijay is their  premier spokesperson and endorsement leader. He wears their name on his  shirt during Tour events. It is now the Official Brew of Choice in the  Box as a result of Vijay's success with it. Who knows maybe they will  sign a sponsorship deal with the Box after reading this. We're easy. A  case a week of COLD Singha and we'll give them an exclusive in the Box.
   
  As for Vijay THREE cheers

in that sea of WHITE  faces

on the PGA Tour all year

on your HD screen every

weekend even with Tiger

OUT of the Picture there

is one BLACK Champion

on the screen week after

week GO VIJAY and

hand us a Singha !!

  WINNER TWO OF LAST 3 WEEKS

 

 

 

PHILADELPHIA-- The Summer Olympics has finally, thankfully come to a close. Now before some Neanderthal starts in with some jingoistic crap, let's get to the particulars:

The Men's basketball team got the gold, but got more grief and pressure from our own press than any opposing team they faced throughout the entire Games.

It seemed every evaluation of the "Redeem Team's" victories by every talking head were laced with a hint of vitriol; just enough to give the impression the real desire was to see them lose; so an all-out media assault would have to ultimately stand down after the defeat of the Spanish national team in the gold medal game.

What was most insulting was a nonsensical statement by a talkie observing the Team as they came to the podium, arms locked together: "They're standing there, looking like a real team -- one proud to play for their country."

So, you're saying the 2004 Team wasn't as proud because they didn't win anything?

I can remember that 2004 team; the one Allen Iverson volunteered to be on because no one wanted to play; results notwithstanding, no one could question Iverson's patriotism or desire to play.

The dwelling on the "Redeem Team" is also an insult to our women's basketball team, who merely sustained their excellence in winning their fourth gold medal. But no love for the ladies; we're too busy hoping and praying those ****s fall on their faces against Spain!

The statement is also an insult to anyone who puts on the jersey or leotard or uniform of our country. 

Do we question the love of country our Women's softball team have for America because they lost perhaps the last Olympic softball game to Japan? No one roasted Jennie Finch and company for blowing it; but our track team caught holy hell for it.

And when do lose, are we good sports about it? Hell to the no!  

The utter disrespect for the accomplishments of the Jamaican track team was deplorable.

Sprinter Usain Bolt and the Irie Speed Queens made the boldest statement of the Olympics on the ground as they brought home the gold. Instead of saying "Bravo! -- Job well done," the media witch doctors took issue with Bolt's chest thumping and celebrating after going three for three -- as in three world records in three events; even Michael Phelps couldn't top that average.

News flash, world; the Jamaicans have been busting their **** for years to get to this point; for at least the last three years, they have owned every significant record in the Penn Relays before going back and retooling and training.

That no less than the President of the International Olympic Committee would take issue and comment on Bolt's celebration as showboating is proof of the disregard the host country and the Committee have for athletes with black skin.

 

 

So Phelps and his whelps can scream and gesticulate, but Bolt is immature?

Bob Costas proved he was nothing but a penile pig and a gasbag when he called Bolt "disrespectful" in his deportment.

Let's get something straight, you dipstick -- when someone -- or anyone -- can break a world record, it ain't showboating. Too much work and training went into Bolt's performance to demean it by implying a lack of class.

Where I see a lack of class is in the spewing of a jealous little gnome like Bob Costas, who can't begin to fathom working that hard to achieve something as fulfilling.

And let's be real about this, if the Olympics had been held in Jamaica, you'd have seen a real celebration after Bolt's performance, as well as the Speed Queens.

Shelly-Anne Fraser, Sherone Simpson and Kerrone Stewart completed an unprecedented sweep of the 100 meters -- the first ever in Olympic history; but because Phelps was still in the pool, it was hugely underreported. Somewhere in Jamaica, Ms. Merlene Ottey -- "Grandma Speed" -- is drinking a cool one and smiling with pride.

Even one of the U. S. track team members admitted those high winds coming from Jamaica weren't just another tropical storm. "It's their time," she muttered.

And if it is Jamaica's time, let us praise them for putting in the work. Why couldn't we just say, "Big Up, J.A.!" and endeavor to roll up our sleeves like we used to do?

And as Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru crossed the finish line of the Marathon, I flashed back to a report I wrote in 10th grade on Dick Gregory's autobiography, "****."

I picked up on where Gregory talked about his days running track while in school; and how he knew he wasn't a sprinter, but felt his strongest event was running distance events, contrary to preconceived notions white coaches had about Black athletes.

We are now in an era where Kenyans and Ethiopians dominate distance racing; and a tiny little island that could has now put their mark on sprinting.

A lot of red, black, green and gold in this picture; with only accents of white and blue in the shading; this picture is just as worthy of view as any Olympic portrait.

Now that the torch is extinguished, Tibetans can continue to be tortured, London can starting printing tickets for 2012, and David Stern can chaperone his boys as he buys them a drink at one of Beijing's finest bars.

Just make sure they wear their medals so everyone will now they're "special" Black people. Who knows? They might even let them use the same bathroom.

As someone who quite famously defended USA Basketball in 2004, it's important now that I acknowledge the over-top-criticism of Bling Team created the beauty of Redeem Team.

 

Watching Kobe, D. Wade, LeBron and Jason Kidd bring home the gold and restore the good name of USA Basketball made me remember one of life's oldest lessons:

 

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

The hatred of our previous Olympic basketball squad four years ago produced a team the whole world fell in love with in Beijing.

Other than Michael Phelps, no one leaves China a bigger winner than the 12 men who compromised the Redeem Team. Wait, I take that back. David Stern and NBA owners might be bigger winners. Their goal of global domination is within reach now that Kobe and Co. have charmed China and nearly every athlete inside the Olympic Village.

I have to admit, it wouldn't have happened had the 2004 team not been brutalized at home by the media and basketball fans. I am not saying I agree with all the fans who tossed patriotism out the window and rooted against Allen Iverson's Bling Team.

I'm simply acknowledging that their animosity was effective.

The truth is 2004 was a terrible year for American professional basketball. We followed up our Olympic nightmare with the Malice at the Palace, which will probably stand as a symbol of NBA basketball hitting a post-Jordan rock bottom.

The sport and the athletes needed an intervention. They took their game, wealth, fame and fans for granted. It was a recipe for irrelevancy, hostility and bigotry. Those ingredients fomented into a near lethal cocktail of loathing.

The thin line between love and hate was completely blurred.

In retrospect, that was a good thing. Our players needed a good ****-whipping.

They weren't mature or responsible enough to take care of the game that Jordan, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Malone, Stockton and The Admiral handed them in pristine condition. They didn't take their role as ambassadors seriously.

In Greece, they didn't represent the NBA or - to be perfectly honest - black people properly. The players were aloof, disconnected from the other athletes and unwilling to accept coaching or playing roles from Larry Brown.

Four years later, they were the perfect role models. They embraced their position as ambassadors. They embraced the entire Olympic experience. They attended the events of other American athletes. They celebrated Michael Phelps' triumphs. They socialized. They experienced China.

And, most important, they won. And they won playing a style that was fun to watch.

When they knocked off Spain early Sunday morning in the gold-medal game, they rejoiced in victory like the victory really meant something, like it was important that they represented their country in an honorable fashion.

It wasn't hard. It didn't cost them street cred. America has made them filthy rich and ridiculously comfortable. They have every reason to express their patriotism. No one is asking them to do a tour in Iraq. All they had to do was spend a couple of weeks playing basketball in a foreign country and tolerate being worshipped by a billion people.

I'll admit. Had America not forcefully expressed its dissatisfaction with the Bling Team, we likely would've seen a re-enactment of 2004. Oh, USA Basketball might've won the gold, but it would have done little to fix its image.

What the all-black roster accomplished was important. There were stories early in the Olympics that the Chinese government was asking nightclubs not to serve black patrons. Popular mainstream rappers and athletes have destroyed the image of African-Americans internationally.

I'm glad Kobe, LeBron and all the rest did their best to undermine the negative stereotypes while on the world's stage. And, I guess, I should thank the folks who hated USA Basketball 2004 for putting our players in the proper mindset.