Osi Onyekwuluje: "Evils Of Racism".
Evils of racism
This Saturday past, I was awed, and I'm sure the rest of the nation was awed with me, to watch the state of Kentucky showcase its diversity, when head football coaches at three of its top universities — Western Kentucky University's Willie Taggart, University of Kentucky's Joker Phillips, and University of Louisville's Charlie Strong, an all-black trio — took to the fields for their inaugural games.
As a black man, I know what this feat means for Kentucky, a state known more for its lack of diversity than anything else.
But, as impressive as all of this may sound, I can't help but be reminded that these coaches would most likely not have gotten their coaching positions, if the idea had been put to a public vote.
Predictably, Kentucky voters would not have voted for black coaches.
So while I applaud the few folks whose bravery at these universities made the coaches possible, I have to blame those good Kentuckians who choose to keep silent in the face of the evils of racism, instead of standing up to be counted on and to drag their fellow Kentuckians screaming, with knuckles dragging, into the 21st Century.
As I sigh, I return to my awe.
OSI ONYEKWULUJE
Bowling Green, Ky. 42102
Update, 9/12: Check out more here.
This Saturday past, I was awed, and I'm sure the rest of the nation was awed with me, to watch the state of Kentucky showcase its diversity, when head football coaches at three of its top universities — Western Kentucky University's Willie Taggart, University of Kentucky's Joker Phillips, and University of Louisville's Charlie Strong, an all-black trio — took to the fields for their inaugural games.
As a black man, I know what this feat means for Kentucky, a state known more for its lack of diversity than anything else.
But, as impressive as all of this may sound, I can't help but be reminded that these coaches would most likely not have gotten their coaching positions, if the idea had been put to a public vote.
Predictably, Kentucky voters would not have voted for black coaches.
So while I applaud the few folks whose bravery at these universities made the coaches possible, I have to blame those good Kentuckians who choose to keep silent in the face of the evils of racism, instead of standing up to be counted on and to drag their fellow Kentuckians screaming, with knuckles dragging, into the 21st Century.
As I sigh, I return to my awe.
OSI ONYEKWULUJE
Bowling Green, Ky. 42102
Update, 9/12: Check out more here.
Labels: College sports, Race, Racism
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 7:57 AM
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