RG3's Classy Take On Race.

I don't follow sports.  Unlike my three brothers, I don't seem to have the "sports gene."  That said, for some strange reason, I love following sports politics.  I like hearing about the player trades, the controversies and the business decisions.   In any event, I have been reading about Washington Redskins Quarterback, Robert Griffin III and his exceptional performance, but also some recent comments made about his race.    Interviewer Chick Hernandez asked him about his status as a black QB.  Griffin answered;

“Whenever you can relate to the population of the team that you play for, I think it makes it that much more special,” Griffin said. “I don’t play too much into the color game, because I don’t want to be the best African American quarterback, I want to be the best quarterback.  But to the fans, and to the fans who think that way and look at me as an African American, it’s important that I succeed, not only for this team, but for them. “Because it gives them that motivation, that hey, you know, an African American went out and played quarterback for my Washington Redskins. So I appreciate that; I don’t ever downplay anything like that. Whoever I can go out every week and motivate to do better and to try to go after their dreams, I’m up for that.”

In another interview, the topic came up again.  Again, Griffin replied;

“I try not to be defined by it (race) , but I understand different perspectives and how people view different things. So I understand they’re excited their quarterback is an African American. I play with a lot of pride, a lot of character, a lot of heart. So I understand that, and I appreciate them for being fans.”

 Classy!  Honest!  A refreshing departure from the oft heard "my people, my struggle" routine.  From what I gather, he doesn't ignore the issue, nor does he dwell on it. I wouldn't want to put words in his mouth, but it seems he just wants to be the best Quarterback he can be, for himself,  his team and the fans.  And it certainly sounds like he is accomplishing just that.    Good for him, and if that was all there was to it, that would be the end of it.


Except that it isn't. 


On ESPN's First Take, panelist Rob Parker said this;

Parker  “And I’ve talked to some people down in Washington D.C., friends of mine, who are around and at some of the press conferences, people I’ve known for a long time. But my question, which is just a straight honest question. Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?”
Male Panelis;  What does that mean?
“Well,  he’s black, he kind of does his thing, but he’s not really down with the cause, he’s not one of us.  He’s kind of black, but he’s not really the guy you’d really want to hang out with, because he’s off to do something else.”
Female Panelist;  Why is that your question?
Parker “Well, because I want to find out about him,I don’t know, because I keep hearing these things. We all know he has a white fiancée. There was all this talk about he’s a Republican, which, there’s no information at all. I’m just trying to dig deeper as to why he has an issue. Because we did find out with Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods was like I’ve got black skin but don’t call me black. So people got to wondering about Tiger Woods early on.”

Then there was some business about Griffin's braids, which Parker described as "urban." Stephen  Smith was asked his opinion

Smith;  *Sigh* “Well first of all let me say this: I’m uncomfortable with where we just went, RGIII, the ethnicity, the color of his fiancée is none of our business. It’s irrelevant. He can live his life any way he chooses. The braids that he has in his hair, that’s his business, that’s his life. I don’t judge someone’s blackness based on those kind of things. I just don’t do that. I’m not that kind of guy."

 Good answer.   But, the implication from Parker is that to be a real "brother", one needs to be urban, have a black  fiancée, possibly not be a republican and be a guy "you'd (presumably a black person) really want to hang out with."   Braids are cool urban though, so Griffin can be relived at that.  

As I have written before, Parker's attitude is the essence of racism, which is holding a race to different standards from another.  It's judging a person's racial "authenticity"  by essentially non-racial criteria.    Which, unfortunately, is all too common. 

Parker's opinion is backward and foolish, but I don't think he should be fired.  People are often way to sensitive about race and discussions, even absurd ones, should be allowed to exist. Though the forum was inappropriate,  it was just an opinion after all.  Smith on the other hand should be lauded for a very reasoned and level-headed response.    In the end though, Griffin should be celebrated, not because is a "cornball brother", and not even because of his very mature attitude on race, but because he is awesome at the game he plays.