Darwin's Athletes : How Sport Has Damaged Black America & Preserved the Myth of Race

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Summary: Darwin's Athletes: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Review: Different pieces of information, stick with different people for different reasons. I guess that might be the case also for collections of information, like books. With all of the many problems out there that our athletes seem to repeatedly wrap themselves in (the latest of which involves NBA star, Latrell Sprewell), for me there has a been a book that has fairly and intelligently addressed perhaps why. That book is "Darwin's Athletes: How Sport has Damaged Black America and Preserved the Myth of Race," by John Hoberman.

It's taken me nearly a year to write about this very important book, as it became more and more valuable in constant review. Especially as a sort of primer in regards to our athletes, and the many problems they seemingly should've gracefully avoided by way of the many alternatives they are afforded in exchange for their abilities. Be that as it may, that was not the case with Mike Tyson as he eventually bit a brother's ear off in a heavyweight championship fight. Neither was it the case with MLB's Roberto Alomar as he hawk-spit in the face of an umpire. Just recently, the NBA's Shaquille O'neal slapped the daylights out of another player, while Charles Barkley actually threw some dude through a window, cowboy style, yee-haa!. On top of that, there were a variety of incidences by athletes from nearly every sport we play, involving the degradation of women, from assault to rape. And here now lately, star basketball player, Latrell Sprewell jacks-up (in two parts) his coach, P.J. Carlesimo. Bringing a whole other meaning to being a Golden State Renegade, (OOPS, I meant "Warrior").

For the most part, these situations just don't seem to make sense. These guys make more money than God - so what's the problem? (Somewhat callously, I try my best not to feel too sorry for multi-millionaires, as they usually come out of their debacles just fine, while I've argued (along with countless others) into hysteria about their predicaments...but what can I say, here I go again.) Well, in Hoberman's book he hones the black athlete back to from whence he came. And illustrates the many dynamics that cause many of our athletes and us, to take our eyes off the ball, way beyond that of simply playing the game. On the contrary, it's more about us playing by the rules of a game, that's not necessarily meant for us to win, but simply to play for the enjoyment and vicarious thrill of those traditionally in charge. It's about games that separates ability into black and white, physical and intellectual and decides superiority and inferiority based ultimately upon skin color. Certainly guys are regarded as great, no matter black or white, but the black athlete is primarily given kudos based upon physicality. The white athlete is given credit for supposedly "thinking" the game (Julius "Dr. J" Erving/ Magic Johnson - Larry Bird is an example worth pondering).

The book doesn't just deal with black athletes in trouble, its analysis touches upon nearly every aspect of why we are where we are and why we can't seem to get the hang of the game, though it looks and feels sometimes like we're winning. It shows how the other side keeps moving the goal post back further and further, and how the powers-that-be, keep doing a number on us by holding the green carrot in front of us. The financial flavor of this kind of carrot can addict you right out of the shoes you never had. Hoberman points out the racism and pulls no punches. His analytical approach is quite intelligent and exhaustively conclusive. It touches upon the notable black athletes of today and yesterday, and in doing so gives you a fairly good answer (as a by-product) to the question asked on the cover of a recent December '97 issue of Sports Illustrated, "What ever happened to the white athlete?" Oh well, while they ponder what happened to them, you sure better look at what's happening to you. Darwin's Athletes takes a good look at the "tree" of it all, the branches, the leaves, and the noose that continues to seemingly swing for us despite the constant winds of change.

As Sprewell now takes his place amongst the many examples of wrong turns made by expensive cars, my thoughts are more specifically on the children riding in the back seat. Sure they might be strapped in for safety against accidents, but perhaps they are also riding with the greatest danger, the enemy from within, so to speak. It's definitely something to think about, as when Sprewell is eventually replaced by the next 100 or so knuckleheads over the years, it'll one day be your kid's turn to step out on to the court. No doubt, he'll be squaring off against tremendous odds in whatever arena. Hoberman's "Darwin's Athletes," (and the other books aforementioned) could help you to better understand the opposition. Hopefully, in efforts to field the best team possible for the most important game they'll ever play.