Beantown.
Bahston.
A city that loves its sports teams. A city that loves itself.
But, also a city stigmatized for generations by the perception that it is not Negro friendly. Which, for any large urban environment in the 21st century is certainly out of the ordinary.
Rich in basketball tradition, the Boston Celtics built a dynasty through the leadership of a short, bald white coach riding the back of a tall, athletic Negro center. A thoroughbred doing most of the work. A little jockey getting all the credit.
The next Boston Celtic run was led by a brilliant Negro coach. He used his brilliant strategies, basketball knowledge and motivation techniques to somehow coax greatness out of some tall, gangly white fellows with little athleticism and even less tenacity. His run, turning these players into recognizable talents, was perhaps the greatest coaching job in NBA history.
And now, Boston makes another run. With a ten man rotation made entirely of Original cagers. And a tactical field general of the Zulu Nation calling the shots. Certainly, this is not what your average Bostonian has in mind when he envisions the Celtics.
Nonetheless, without the advantage of having the best player on the court. Without the benefit of having a tall, ambiguously Euro-femme Caucazoid to appease the 'fans'. The Celtics' general has outmaneuvered the Lakers' egocentric coach.
As the series returns to Boston with the Celts leading 3-2, victory on the court seems all but asured. But these Celtics have banded together to try for another victory.
A victory over the stigmatism of representing Boston fans, while being a Negro.
Certainly, it can't be easy night after night to take the court in the Garden. Knowing that while the fans cheer for your Green uniform, they detest your Negro skin. That while they stand and applaud your baskets. They loath your speech and values. That while the front of your jersey reads Boston, they'd prefer you lived elsewhere.
It's a two bladed razor upon which these valorous Celtics walk.
Not only must the players somehow fight on knowing the fans love the Celtics, but hate Negroes...they must also somehow justify representing the Celtics' fans to the Negro community.
No amount of money could ever alleviate the pain that these players must endure. Branded by the sinister 'shamrock', these men are paraded like animals night after night in front of the Boston fans. And then shipped off for trips, forced to fight for the honor of Boston elsewhere.
Clearly, it is love for each other and love for the game which spurs this Boston team to great heights. Bonded together by the on-court combat. Listening to the coach during time outs as he highlights the battle plan. And seeing the two pale roster quotas in suits at the end of the bench. No, money could never spark the fire required to light this flame.
Pride. Unity. And righteousness. Those are what this is about. The opportunity to win a championship. To hoist a trophy.
And to set themselves free from the oppression enacted upon them by the ghosts of Red Auerbach and the Boston sports fans.
So, Boston fans, remember this:
When the Celtics win the championship, they will have beaten you. The franchise will claim that this is the 17th title in their history. But that is wrong.
This is not Boston's title.
This, much like Obama's victory over Hillary, is one step closer to equality and absolute freedom for Negro America.
This title is Negro America's first.
This title is symbolic of the change being brought by Obama.
This title is the emancipation of the Negro athlete from the shackled existence provided by the apartheid like environment of Boston.
And, the MVP of this championship is the inevitable president, Barack Obama.
His victory over the political machinations of White America supplied the impetus for this Celtic victory over the White Boston Sports Fan.
Every cheer for the Celtics, is a vote for Obama!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
"Original cagers"
finally, I agree.
They should be kept in a cage.
Yeah, but Red Auerbach was a Jew. Hello, gutter religion?? LF wouldn't approve.
right on point.
it must be amazing to be on the verge of a title.
but it must be very sobering to be doing it repping Boston.
nice. stereotyping Boston as a racist town. well done, douchenozzle.
Interesting post and mostly on point. I disagree with you on one point though. . .I think the really die hard Celtic fans genuinely have love KG,Paul,and Ray. Why? Because in their minds they have disassociated them from the general African American populous. Kind of like how white people fell in love with Oprah. They view them as 'non-threatening Negroes' so they are not afraid to embrace them . . .as long as it yields a championship.
"They view them as 'non-threatening Negroes' so they are not afraid to embrace them . . .as long as it yields a championship."
Sir, indeed.
It is always a love that comes with strings attached.
'Pick the cotton, and we will love you'
Barack Obama is a white man...you are being fooled. It is due to white americans that he did not end up like so many of his so-called brothers. The best thing he can teach is that black americans are not doomed by the inevitable abandonment by their fathers. He condemns using racism as a crutch. That is why NOIS' support is so surprising.
He is a walking contradiction to all the excuses you live by...now if only some others could take accountability for their own lives.
I think the really die hard Celtic fans genuinely have love KG,Paul,and Ray. Why? Because in their minds they have disassociated them from the general African American populous. They view them as 'non-threatening Negroes'
So your theory is that the general african american populous is "threatening". Well done you self loathing fool.
Danny Ainge..the architect...the genius...the man was painted into a corner last season with a 24 win team....fire the coach and be called a racist so that was not an option...the only way to get out of the mess was to make the team fool-proof so even the malpractice of Doc Rivers wouldnt stand in the way. Great job Danny...you played with the great larry bird and kevin mchale and now you have returned the franchise to that level despite such a sub par coach.
It's not that I don't agree that their are racists, as evidenced by some of the comments here, but I have a couple of questions and comments:
1. I am white and I have no hatred or fear of black people or any other race. More so a curiosity for their culture.
2. Do you NOIS hate all white people or just the ignorant ones?
I genuinely enjoy reading your unique perspective on sports and life. I look forward to your feedback. I had some other questions but I am interested in your response to my question first.
"2. Do you NOIS hate all white people or just the ignorant ones? "
Sir, we here hate no one.
We teach everyone
To Censored:
Whaaa!???
Applying the term "non-threatening Negro" is a commentary on my opinion of the general attitude of the majority culture in this country towards African-Americans, not a commentary on my attitudes towards my fellow brothers . . .nice try but the words don't quite twist enough for that interpretation.
"So your theory is that the general african american populous is "threatening"."
Yes. Threatening to the average uninformed, under-educated, WASP in this country.
And please refrain from the childish personal attacks, you are conversing with the creators of civilization, so please act accordingly.
OK, well thats good to know because from some of your posts it certainly seems like you hate at least some white people. I do get your humor most of the time though I must admit that some of the commentary escapes me at times. Admittedly that could certainly come from my lack of perspective though.
I had another question. I read the autobiography of malcolm x a while back(10 years or so ago) and I know that there was some who thought he and the nation of islam had problems. There was also some that said that the nation of islam was framed for his death. So I was wondering what your views on malcolm x are. Just so you know where I am coming from I enjoyed the book at the time and admired the way that Malcolm x was able to reinvent himself many times over.
On another note I know you are tarheel fans. Big news on the return of lawson, ellington and green. Any comments about that?
""So your theory is that the general african american populous is "threatening"."
Yes. Threatening to the average uninformed, under-educated, WASP in this country."
Sir, indeed.
Threatening to those who are feeling their power erode.
Threatening to those who understanding that, in their lifetime, they will become the minority in this country.
Threatening to those who are insecure in themselves and their future.
To sum up:
Threatening to a fearmongering and panic stricken white America.
Obama '08.
Turn it black!
"Admittedly that could certainly come from my lack of perspective though."
Sir, to help...
Often a lack of perspective is a term interchangeable with ignorance.
"So I was wondering what your views on malcolm x are"
Our views on Malcolm X are rather simple:
We can all learn from him.
As for the Tarheels...This has the potential to be a special year. The table has been set for Hansbrough to be seen as possibly Carolina's all time great. But look around him....yes, indeed.
I don't disagree that lack of perspective is ignorance. Ignorance is defined as lack of education or knowledge. I was/am certainly lacking the knowledge that you provide having never experienced it myself or been shown that perspective. And as I said before I always appreciate learning about others peoples experiences and perspectives, especially when they are vastly different than mine.
With regard to Hansbrough I don't disagree with you. A team is much more than one person. I do think that Hansbrough provides strength of will, similar to what Garnett does for the Celtics(though you could argue that Pierce did it in the finals) Could strength of will make the Heels a better team without all the skill components? No. But with all the components can it make a good team great or a mediocre team good? Yes. I coach and have for a while now. I had perviously made the mistake of not realizing that my best skill player was not the leader or heart of my team which is why I offer this defense. I think that inspite of Hansbroughs skill and physical limitations he is probably their emotional leader the value of which, based on my experience, should not be discounted. This is all based on the college team of course and not who they will be as pros.
With all that said I agree with your statement that Hansbrough will be the one to get the majority of press and praise while the others are more background players. I also agree that it's an injustice.
You are also right about the focus on the "supporting cast" being for the wrong reasons. For example Jon Pessah wrote an article about Green last year for ESPN and it was entitled "Green overcomes family adversity to be UNC's spark". It focused a lot on his dad being in jail which fits with the sterotypes you are saying are pushed by the media. His dads story in general is a story of injustice. Anyway based on reading your blog I see the story in a new light so perhaps I am learning something from you.
I want you to know that I am genuinely interested in your perspective and if something I said or say seems condescending it's out of ignorance and not malice.
"I want you to know that I am genuinely interested in your perspective and if something I said or say seems condescending it's out of ignorance and not malice."
WTF???
how do people like you find this blog? and how do you give it any credence?
good lord!!!!!!!!!!!
realclearsports.com
And though you may disagree their opinions and some may be presented in a manner that seems radical or overly harsh it does not invalidate them or mean that they do not have merit.
realclearsports.com
And though you may disagree their opinions and some may be presented in a manner that seems radical or overly harsh it does not invalidate them or mean that they do not have merit.
I don't pretend to understand or support all of their positions but it is still an interesting perspective and one worth learning more about.
How are you supposed to interact, deal with or lead people if you don't try to understand where people are coming from?
Everyone's opinion of everything, including other people and their opinions, is seen through their own lense of experience. To broaden that lense you have to learn about other peoples experiences and try to see things from their perspective.
"How are you supposed to interact"
see, right there. right there is your problem
there is no reason to interact with some jibberish spouting jigs who are mad at the world because their people are underachieving, drum banging ubangees!
It is dissapointing that you fail to mention the fact that Red Auerbach drafted the first african american player, fielded the first all african american starting five, and when he left coaching, appointed Bill Russell to take his place. Russell continued to win championships as a player/coach with Boston.
Russell was the first african american coach in any professional sport in this country.
I know sitgmas are hard to overcome but come on man... years pass... time passes and things change.
sagebeth, have you ever seen the comments from the illustrious Dave the Wave?
Not all that much has changed.
Post a Comment