Thursday, February 25, 2010

Let's Pretend

Ok! For the sake of pretending I will make the following concessions.

Blacks are better at basketball than whites.
In fact white people can hardly play at all.
Most of the time they fumble the ball.
And they certainly can't shoot.
They can't make a three pointer.
They can't dribble!
and they can't jump!

Because professional ball teams are almost exclusively black, it is obvious that white players just slow the team down.
And because they slow the team down - it makes for boring basketball games
Yawn!

Do you know why they have a minor league - it is because they are not as good as the major leagues. So in order to have a place for these guys to play basketball - they have the minor league.

Baseball does the same with the various little leagues etc.

So, what do we do with all these worthless white basketball players that can't jump. Get them OUT of the big leagues with the superior black players and let them go somewhere else and play.

It will be so cute watching these white guys trying to slam dunk the ball.

So Don "Moose" Lewis is attempting to start a basketball league of ONLY white players. After all no one wants to be a drag on the "good" players.

What do you think? Shouldn't these White players have a place to play ball where they can frolick about with glee and leave the "real" basketball players play some serious ball.

Click here to learn about the all white basketball league:
www.ajc.com/news/whites-only-basketball-league-279688.html

15 comments:

Norwegian Heat said...

“Blacks are better at basketball than whites.
In fact white people can hardly play at all.
Most of the time they fumble the ball.
And they certainly can't shoot.
They can't make a three pointer.
They can't dribble!
and they can't jump!”

These are stereotypes. Perhaps a lot of individuals can relate to the generalizations you’re making, but it’s important to note that this is not universal—it does not apply to every individual. There CAN and ARE at least SOME white players that can hold their own against black competitors, and certainly plenty of black players that can’t compete at the big league level.

“Because professional ball teams are almost exclusively black, it is obvious that white players just slow the team down.”

I’m pretty sure this statement is a non sequitur. The conclusion is not supported by your evidence. It is “obvious” to you because you’re only looking at the issues you want to see.
What about the handful of exciting white players? Certainly fans of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, or Jason Kid would disagree that these players are a drag on the game. A team should be made up of the best players possible—white or black. If a white person can clearly excel in the game, then wouldn’t he be a wise acquisition—even if it undermines your generalizations about white players? Skilled white players should not be restricted from playing on the basis of stereotypes. Their inclusion in the league should be decided by their individual skill. If they can play, let them.
Can the higher number of black players have anything to do with interest in the sport? Perhaps the sport is more popular amongst black people than white, and so truly gifted white athletes generally drift toward other sports than basketball anyway. I have no idea—I’m not a basketball fan anyway—I just feel there could be a little more going on than you report, and I find it hard to believe that white players have nothing to contribute to the game.

“And because they slow the team down - it makes for boring basketball games.”

Again, this conclusion is flawed.
Personally I find it is a boring game in general—I wouldn’t be watching if they were all black or all white. That has nothing to do with white guys slowing down the games.

“Do you know why they have a minor league - it is because they are not as good as the major leagues. So in order to have a place for these guys to play basketball - they have the minor league.”

“Baseball does the same with the various little leagues etc.”

Interesting—professional sports have minor leagues. You would think then, that if basketball (or any other sport, for that matter) functioned in accordance with your stereotypes, then wouldn’t ALL white players be playing in basketball’s minors already? If all white players are not as good as black players—and are doing nothing more than slowing the game down—then have they advanced BEYOND the courts more suited for them in the minors and found permanent roster spots in the most elite division?

Norwegian Heat said...

“So, what do we do with all these worthless white basketball players that can't jump. Get them OUT of the big leagues with the superior black players and let them go somewhere else and play.”

Since not ALL white basketball players are worthless—and since those players playing in the big leagues have most likely WORKED their way up to that position—it would be unfair to FORCE them out of the NBA, and into segregated leagues. Fans of those white players might even argue that you’d be HURTING the league by shutting out those talents.

Just as it was established back when talented black players were finally allowed into baseballs major leagues, admission should be based on talent, not skin color—and talent is decided on an individual basis.
I may be white, but that does not guarantee me a spot on an NHL roster. My Norwegian heritage has not necessitated my adeptness in various skiing disciplines that we’re so stereotypically good at. It wouldn’t be fair to throw me into either of those sports at the professional level, as my individual skill does not warrant my being there. In the same way, it would be unfair to remove white players from the game when they have established that they should be there—whether they can jump or not.

“So Don "Moose" Lewis is attempting to start a basketball league of ONLY white players. After all no one wants to be a drag on the "good" players.”

Just like that wrestling guy’s XFL—a place for NFL-wannabes to share the national spotlight. That sure lasted.
If the players in this all-white league are, as you say, just not as good as their black counter-parts, then this is nothing more than a minor league basketball association remarketed as an all-white major league, just as the XFL was merely NFL rejects remarketed as “extreme”.

“What do you think? Shouldn't these White players have a place to play ball where they can frolick about with glee and leave the "real" basketball players play some serious ball.”

Hey, if they can find a successful market for it, and a fan base that wants to spend their time and money watching less skilled players, fine. I don’t have a problem with under-talented white players deciding to have their own all-white league—I just don’t think they’ll be successful with it. Nobody wants to watch them for a reason, after all.
If white players DECIDE to participate in this league, fine—and if fans want to support it, great—but I doubt any of the top tier white players already playing in the NBA are going to jump ship. If they do, it is their choice to—they won’t be forced by the NBA or its fans.

Norwegian Heat said...

This is an interesting topic. While I won’t go as far as to suggest that you intended such a comparison, I personally notice a lot of similarities between your views of whites in basketball and the views of black people in America held by some of the more frequent posters that often weigh in on my responses.

Where you imply that all whites are not as good at basketball as black players, they stress that black people are “less developed” than white people when it comes to our ability to function within society.
Where you believe that white players “obviously” slow the game down, it is obvious to them that black people are holding back our country.
Where you seem to stress that whites should not compete in the NBA, but instead an all-white league, they argue that black people should not live in “White Christian America”—that America should not be bi-racial or multi-cultural—and that they should be removed to live in their own separate countries.

These ideas relate also in their level of correctness—both are based on stereotypes rather than fair assessments of individuals—both are skewed in their perception of reality. White players that compete at the NBA level have proven their ability to play there—they are and should continue to be allowed to play. Black people that have demonstrated the ability to function productively, responsibly, and respectfully in American society (and they DO exist) have earned their right to remain here. They should not be forced out of America because of their skin color.

Anonymous said...

Norwegian: I think it is pretty obvious that Pastor Robb was using sarcasm. Try to keep up!

Norwegian Heat said...

"Norwegian: I think it is pretty obvious that Pastor Robb was using sarcasm. Try to keep up!"

Hmm. Catch me up then--what was the intended purpose of his sarcasm, then? I made an interpretation of what Mr. Robb wrote, and responded--If I am missing the point, then feel free to fill me in. If you feel you're better up to pace with Mr. Robb's sarcasm, then help me out--I'd love to understand what it is you're seeing in what Mr. Robb has to say.

Norwegian Heat said...

I understand that Mr. Robb is using sarcasm--I understand, as he clearly states, that he is pretending. Yes, that is made obvious by his own statements. What is less obvious, I guess, is what his point is if it differs from the interpretation that I made in my response. Surely Mr. Robb would not play pretend or use sarcasm without motivation--there must be some purpose for his post. If I am missing some other "obvious" point that he is trying to make, then any effort you or Mr. Robb or anyone else could make to clue me in would be appreciated. As it stands, what is "obvious" to you is clearly not so "obvious" to me.

Anonymous said...

Will putting a ball through a hoop be as big in the Kingdom of God as it is now? How about an all-white tiddlywinks league?

_)( said...

NO ONE CARES, SOME WHITES ARE BETTER THEN BLACKS AT SOME THINGS AND BLACKS ARE BETTER AT OTHERS!!!

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

It is hard for me to really come at your website without judgment. However, I am trying to look at your blog and your writing by blocking out the message I so disagree with and look at your writing content alone to see if you really are educated enough to be a leader of such a group. I have come to the conclusion that you definitely are. Your writing is flawed throughout. You jump from sarcastic generalizations but even the sarcasm you're attempting doesn't work. There are amazing Black athletes and there are amazing White athletes. You are right to note that the NBA roster is heavy with talented African-Americans. Though, you paralleling this to an "all-white league" is comical. Being a player in the NBA, NFL, etc. is based on skill level and not race. This "all white" league is a joke because it's basing its entry upon how someone looks on the outside and not on what they do with the sport. I could break down everything you write and explain your obvious poor level of intellect and horrendous writing but I am only allotted so much space. However Sir, I do believe you are beyond capable of being the President of your organization. You cater to a large group of people who refuse to live in our present day, uneducated people who choose to adhere to an immoral code instead of learning how to think for themselves. A group of people so scared to experience the world and try to gain insight from other cultures and creeds that you have to create a group against a way someone looks. I feel very sorry for you and your followers and I also feel quite embarrassed for you that at age 25, I'm light years beyond you in education. (I was very sad to read you have so many children/grandchildren- how awful you have that many minds to poison). If you do have anything to say that is a dignified response to this (as I've given you), I would be more than happy to hear your side of it.

Self-Hatred is a sickness Mr. Robb. Get Well Soon!

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Robb
I find myself wondering what drives people like you to focus on such unimportant aspects of life as skin colour. Should you not, instead be concentrating on making this world a happier place, for black, white, yellow or green people alike?
I'd like to inform you that racism has become somewhat of a joke in the world, although,as you are from Detroit, it is understandable if you have never heard of things such as "equality", "righteousness" or "chivalry", and haven't heard anything about the world since the end of WW2.
Best wishes, a REAL knight

P.S You might want to check the word Knight in a dictionary sometimes, it seems like you haven't really understood the meaning of it...

Norwegian Heat said...

Miss Caitlin and Anonymous at 4:14--NAIL ON THE HEAD.

Anonymous said...

Whites invented basketball.

But the two races have a different style of playing, or so it seems to me.

If you watch old games recorded when the teams were white, I think you'll find the style is different.

Whites who can skilfully emulate the new black style of playing are sometimes allowed to be token players.

But I see many little white kids with basketball hoops in their driveways -- so playing basketball is something white kids really want to do. So the only explanation can be, as I see it, anyhow, is that the styles differ, and whites cannot easily compete in this matter of style.

Anonymous said...

Thomas Robb,

What you are trying to accomplish is so transparent. You are trying to make it look like you are giving praise to the Black athletes and putting down the Whites. But in actual fact you are simply trying to disguise your efforts to get people to unknowingly buy into segregation.

Once they've bought into your argument in the belief that they are not putting Blacks down but rather helping them by removing those awful White players, you slowly start desensitizing them to segregating people based on color of their skin.

Once they've bought into that argument, you eventually hit them with the opposite where Whites dominate a particular sport or sector of society and suggest segregation there as well (but you don't actually use that word because you know the reaction it will create).

Little by little just like the patient fisherman tiring out the fish before reeling it in you gently re-program people's thinking without being so blunt as to call it a pitch for segregation.

Our population is a blend of many races. If you work your way through pretty much anyone's family tree you'll most likely find interracial marriages somewhere. Given that fact, you and/or the majority of your supporters are children of past interracial relationships. Makes you wonder given your hatred for non-whites that you can actually stand each other or even your own reflection.

Anonymous said...

Absolute Rubbish

Ashley. said...

Nice use of sarcasm..

You generalize and stereotype when you are in no position to judge. You've clearly proven with this post that you have very limited knowledge of the sport itself, and are in no position to judge.

Do I sense jealousy? because these black men have kept themselves motivated, devoted and obviously more educated and successful than you yourself? Not to say that there aren't white men that have kept themseleve motivated, devoted and are highly successful, because there are, you just aren't one of those white men.

These men, black or white have been working their entire lives towards their success, while you on the other hand have worked your entire life towards what? what do you have to be proud of? nothing. These men are multi-millionares and have the respect and adoration of thousands, they have everything they deserve.

What you deserve has yet to come, but I know God will not spare you the chance of heaven, you're going straight to hell, with everyone else who deserves it.

I myself a 15 year old girl has more brains, than you close minded, low life, who needs to get their head out of their ass and get a life.