I am officially a former Dodger fan after being so disappointed and disgusted by their recent white house visit. I knew some of what Mr. Phillips writes about the MLB, but tried to ignore it in order to watch the sport I love. I can’t ignore it anymore and I am now a former MLB fan. Thank you for this information.
I agree with what you say about racism. However, when you cite statistics about the small percentage of U.S.-born blacks in MLB, please note these following facts:
1. There are large numbers of blacks in MLB who were born outside the U.S.. Take a look at how many players hail from the Dominican Republic. If you can play then the scouts will find you anywhere in the world. If you can play then the scouts don't care if you are pink or green.
2. So why so few U.S.-born black players? Well, a large percentage of the athletes who are good enough to play professionally are playing football and basketball. It is presumed that those sports offer an easier route to a professional career than does baseball. Look up what percentage of each of those sports are comprised of U.S.-born black athletes.
In conclusion, don't blame the small percentage of U.S.-born blacks in MLB on racism; rather, just note that those great athletes are playing basketball and football instead.
It's not a bad point but when you write that "White people have a long history of being temporarily upset when it comes to things that affect them or the people they act like they admire" you seem to forget that the Civil War was fought mainly between northern and southern whites, and that over 300,000 of the former gave their lives for it. No, northern soldiers weren't fighting to abolish slavery per se but they also didn't stop fighting and go home after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. And you also seem to forget that more than a few whites have risked abuse and death fighting for civil rights over the years. Schwerner, Goodman, and Viola Liuzzo, all were murdered fighting for racial justice, as was William Lewis Moore. Without the help of concerned whites, many of the gains made in civil rights would never have occurred. Jackie Robinson didn't hire himself. He was hired by Branch Rickey, who, after witnessing racial discrimination at the college level, said, "I may not be able to do something about racism in every field, but I can sure do something about it in baseball." That's part of the Robinson legacy too. Let us not forget it.
Though much of what Carson J. Phillips writes is undeniable, I have a couple of caveats. First, to label a person's opinion as "performative" assumes facts that are not in evidence--it's a low blow. Is Phillips suggesting that any non-racist belief professed by any white person is somehow performative? Maybe he is. Next, though it is ,indeed, infuriating that so few Black Americans are playing MLB, the main reason for this is that baseball has been replaced by basketball and football as the primary passion of young African American athletes. What can be done about this is anybody's guess, but I'm afraid it has little to do with Jackie Robinson or Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Not being a follower of sport, I had no idea. I really am shocked. That probably sounds totally naive, but I really do not follow any sports. don't read sports news, don't have discussions about sports.
When I was a girl (white, working class), Robinsons was looked at as a hero; at least it came across that way. I'm now older than dirt and don't shock easily, especially not in these perilous times, but sometimes, something will sneak through.
Thank you for this perspective, and for educating me proving once again, you are never too old to learn or to learn to look outside your cultural bubble.
I have been a baseball fan almost my whole life, and for what it's worth grew up as a kid reading about Jackie Robinson with my mother reading to me. The more I've learned about this, and other, personal details such as this, the less I like it - but these difficult conversations need to be had.
I know I'm not saying anything profound here, just knowing my anger at such ongoing oppression can't hope to match that of people - including in my own family - who have experienced it.
I don't follow baseball, so much appreciated the insights about the game and how the wealthy owner types really behave. Makes me think of the NFL's treatment of Colin Kaepernick.
Thank you. This needed to be said, and I needed to see it (as do so many).
I appreciate this perspective very much. Thank you for a great bit of perspective and journalism.
It's stll a gut punch, got to rise above the racial onslought!
I am officially a former Dodger fan after being so disappointed and disgusted by their recent white house visit. I knew some of what Mr. Phillips writes about the MLB, but tried to ignore it in order to watch the sport I love. I can’t ignore it anymore and I am now a former MLB fan. Thank you for this information.
I agree with what you say about racism. However, when you cite statistics about the small percentage of U.S.-born blacks in MLB, please note these following facts:
1. There are large numbers of blacks in MLB who were born outside the U.S.. Take a look at how many players hail from the Dominican Republic. If you can play then the scouts will find you anywhere in the world. If you can play then the scouts don't care if you are pink or green.
2. So why so few U.S.-born black players? Well, a large percentage of the athletes who are good enough to play professionally are playing football and basketball. It is presumed that those sports offer an easier route to a professional career than does baseball. Look up what percentage of each of those sports are comprised of U.S.-born black athletes.
In conclusion, don't blame the small percentage of U.S.-born blacks in MLB on racism; rather, just note that those great athletes are playing basketball and football instead.
I was wondering if players were more drawn to the more highlighted sports of basketball and football as I read the article.
It's not a bad point but when you write that "White people have a long history of being temporarily upset when it comes to things that affect them or the people they act like they admire" you seem to forget that the Civil War was fought mainly between northern and southern whites, and that over 300,000 of the former gave their lives for it. No, northern soldiers weren't fighting to abolish slavery per se but they also didn't stop fighting and go home after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. And you also seem to forget that more than a few whites have risked abuse and death fighting for civil rights over the years. Schwerner, Goodman, and Viola Liuzzo, all were murdered fighting for racial justice, as was William Lewis Moore. Without the help of concerned whites, many of the gains made in civil rights would never have occurred. Jackie Robinson didn't hire himself. He was hired by Branch Rickey, who, after witnessing racial discrimination at the college level, said, "I may not be able to do something about racism in every field, but I can sure do something about it in baseball." That's part of the Robinson legacy too. Let us not forget it.
Though much of what Carson J. Phillips writes is undeniable, I have a couple of caveats. First, to label a person's opinion as "performative" assumes facts that are not in evidence--it's a low blow. Is Phillips suggesting that any non-racist belief professed by any white person is somehow performative? Maybe he is. Next, though it is ,indeed, infuriating that so few Black Americans are playing MLB, the main reason for this is that baseball has been replaced by basketball and football as the primary passion of young African American athletes. What can be done about this is anybody's guess, but I'm afraid it has little to do with Jackie Robinson or Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Not being a follower of sport, I had no idea. I really am shocked. That probably sounds totally naive, but I really do not follow any sports. don't read sports news, don't have discussions about sports.
When I was a girl (white, working class), Robinsons was looked at as a hero; at least it came across that way. I'm now older than dirt and don't shock easily, especially not in these perilous times, but sometimes, something will sneak through.
Thank you for this perspective, and for educating me proving once again, you are never too old to learn or to learn to look outside your cultural bubble.
I have been a baseball fan almost my whole life, and for what it's worth grew up as a kid reading about Jackie Robinson with my mother reading to me. The more I've learned about this, and other, personal details such as this, the less I like it - but these difficult conversations need to be had.
I know I'm not saying anything profound here, just knowing my anger at such ongoing oppression can't hope to match that of people - including in my own family - who have experienced it.
Not being a a baseball fan, this is an eye- opener for me. Thanks for the info!
I don't follow baseball, so much appreciated the insights about the game and how the wealthy owner types really behave. Makes me think of the NFL's treatment of Colin Kaepernick.