Hey, board. Let's have this out. HelenaHandbasket has called me that directly; others have alluded to it. So let's clear it up, okay?
A racist is a person who is prejudiced AGAINST or antagonistic TOWARD people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group.
That is not me. Especially not toward WHITE people. That would be difficult-- I happen to be one. From Helena, no less.
Here's what I AM: A fan. A fan of our Griz. Have been since I was eight; since I was a student at Montana; and ever after.
And as a FAN, rooting for our Griz, it has come to my attention that ALL successful football and basketball teams, at the professional or collegiate level, have critically important black talent on their rosters.
That when it comes to pro basketball, some 70% of the greatest players of all time are black.
Come to think of it, I cannot recall one football or basketball team, professional or collegiate, that has won a major championship with an all-white roster IN THE PAST 50 YEARS.
And even if there is one, it'd be the exception to the rule.
The last time anybody tried that was Kentucky, in basketball, back in the mid-60's, and it did not work out well for them.
Which brings us to our beloved Lady Griz. Three black players in 46-year history of the Lady Griz program--only ONE of which was actively recruited by the Lady Griz staff.
Now if you're sick of me hearing about this, fine. I get it. It won't shut me up, but I get it.
But in light of the evidence of so many teams doing so well with black athletes the while the Lady Griz seem unable or unwilling to recruit black athletes, I have to wonder, amid all the cries that I am a racist, just how that makes sense.
And where they real racism exists.
A racist is a person who is prejudiced AGAINST or antagonistic TOWARD people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group.
That is not me. Especially not toward WHITE people. That would be difficult-- I happen to be one. From Helena, no less.
Here's what I AM: A fan. A fan of our Griz. Have been since I was eight; since I was a student at Montana; and ever after.
And as a FAN, rooting for our Griz, it has come to my attention that ALL successful football and basketball teams, at the professional or collegiate level, have critically important black talent on their rosters.
That when it comes to pro basketball, some 70% of the greatest players of all time are black.
Come to think of it, I cannot recall one football or basketball team, professional or collegiate, that has won a major championship with an all-white roster IN THE PAST 50 YEARS.
And even if there is one, it'd be the exception to the rule.
The last time anybody tried that was Kentucky, in basketball, back in the mid-60's, and it did not work out well for them.
Which brings us to our beloved Lady Griz. Three black players in 46-year history of the Lady Griz program--only ONE of which was actively recruited by the Lady Griz staff.
Now if you're sick of me hearing about this, fine. I get it. It won't shut me up, but I get it.
But in light of the evidence of so many teams doing so well with black athletes the while the Lady Griz seem unable or unwilling to recruit black athletes, I have to wonder, amid all the cries that I am a racist, just how that makes sense.
And where they real racism exists.