I did not write this piece with the current situations regarding the recruitment/signing of high-profile athletes by historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) in mind.
However, the words of my pieces apply to all aspects of life.
This piece addresses the cause(s) of the level of vitriol and rancor that has ensued from high profile white coaches at predominantly white institutions following these signings
One coach blatantly stated that, and I paraphrase, "education is the last thing now". As if HBCU's are bereft of providing quality education
I guess his privilege allows him to dismiss the tremendous achievements, on and outside the arenas of competition, that those who matriculated from HBCU'S have attained.
"Check Our File"
is THAT PIECE that identifies, by name, the characteristics of the ominous cloud shrouding the five-headed beast that is again flexing newly found muscle.
His words encapsulate four of the characteristics of the five-headed beast that we as a people have been battling throughout the history of this land- Prejudice, Inequality, Oppression and Racism. The lone trait, Brutality, is lurking on the horizon awaiting to be unleashed by some rabid fan that is incensed that our young men are exercising their freedom of choice. No, I do not want this to occur, but, sadly, it is inevitable.
Why, you ask? Because throughout the history of this land white men have promoted and sought to exercise their ownership over us, even our decisions.
We have been victimized for years and now the attitudes of those that have impacted, and continues to seek to impact, our future generations are exposing themselves simply because our youth are now choosing to return to the institutions THAT WERE CREATED out of a segregationist value of beliefs that did not deem us human enough to grace their vaunted bastions of alleged educational superiority.
This stench needs to be highlighted and called out when identified as such. His tirade, and those of others, did not simply emanate from the disappointment of losing a recruit. It emanates from within a set of long fostered values and privilege that is more inherently corrosive than most would like to acknowledge.
It is now dripping from under the veil- pouring out from behind the shroud.
OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!
PEACE!!!
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