Comments on: Why Is This Racist? Really… http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/ "A tiny act can have profound effects." Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:09:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: tve5009 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-30104 tve5009 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:10:14 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-30104 -All white basketball league? I don’t see the need for why this guy will feel the need to create such a team in the first place. I don’t see how this will start a business and what his point is. There are black and whit people in the NBA league today and people from different backgrounds and cultures. I don’t see how this is giving people a chance when it’s leaving out so many other people. How can you prove that someone is fully Caucasian, when here in America today hardly anybody if fully Caucasian (whatever Caucasian is suppose to be). The AABA is trying to restore court sanity in the game of basketball?? What does that even mean? A lot of sports tend to get violence, hockey being one of the top sports where fights break out in almost every game, that’s a predominantly “white” sport”. Even if he wasn’t trying to come off racist, it basically just is what it is you can’t say a lot of white guys don’t like the upscale tempo of professional basketball without sounding racist because basketball is dominated by mostly minorities. I can’t believe that he actually thinks that he is going to get somewhere with this when its 2010 and the NBA has been something that started since 1946. Who does he think he audience will be and how does he think he will make any time of profit. This just doesn’t even make sense to me at all. Someone made a comment about how white men are underrepresented in the NBA and I don’t think that is the case. There are some great white ball players who do get their chance in the league. Just because minorities might be better in the sport doesn’t mean they are underrepresented. In regards to the comment that “the_situation “ said “the NBA just is not into decent white folk, but would rather spring for a young, high flying black person to ‘wow’ the crowd with dunks. The reason for this is because dunks are what the majority of the fan base wants. So, with that in mind, is it really wrong for Moose to please a different fan base by having a slower tempo, “white” style of game?” What does that even mean? The NBA isn’t into “decent white folk” so the people that play basketball are not decent? Is this because basketball gets violent every now and then? With men running up and down a court and all the testosterone I would assume it would get violent every now and then just like hockey are those guys decent or should we get “decent black guys” to play that sport. The NBA is doesn’t look for “high flying black person to “wow” the crowd with dunks”, there so much more than that half the people that do play basketball can’t even dunk. “White style of game” I don’t even know what that means basketball is basketball its either you know how to play or you don’t. There is no need to make an all white league it will just bring more controversies to America and we already have enough to deal with. -All white basketball league? I don’t see the need for why this guy will feel the need to create such a team in the first place. I don’t see how this will start a business and what his point is. There are black and whit people in the NBA league today and people from different backgrounds and cultures. I don’t see how this is giving people a chance when it’s leaving out so many other people. How can you prove that someone is fully Caucasian, when here in America today hardly anybody if fully Caucasian (whatever Caucasian is suppose to be). The AABA is trying to restore court sanity in the game of basketball?? What does that even mean? A lot of sports tend to get violence, hockey being one of the top sports where fights break out in almost every game, that’s a predominantly “white” sport”. Even if he wasn’t trying to come off racist, it basically just is what it is you can’t say a lot of white guys don’t like the upscale tempo of professional basketball without sounding racist because basketball is dominated by mostly minorities. I can’t believe that he actually thinks that he is going to get somewhere with this when its 2010 and the NBA has been something that started since 1946. Who does he think he audience will be and how does he think he will make any time of profit. This just doesn’t even make sense to me at all. Someone made a comment about how white men are underrepresented in the NBA and I don’t think that is the case. There are some great white ball players who do get their chance in the league. Just because minorities might be better in the sport doesn’t mean they are underrepresented.
In regards to the comment that “the_situation “ said “the NBA just is not into decent white folk, but would rather spring for a young, high flying black person to ‘wow’ the crowd with dunks. The reason for this is because dunks are what the majority of the fan base wants. So, with that in mind, is it really wrong for Moose to please a different fan base by having a slower tempo, “white” style of game?” What does that even mean? The NBA isn’t into “decent white folk” so the people that play basketball are not decent? Is this because basketball gets violent every now and then? With men running up and down a court and all the testosterone I would assume it would get violent every now and then just like hockey are those guys decent or should we get “decent black guys” to play that sport. The NBA is doesn’t look for “high flying black person to “wow” the crowd with dunks”, there so much more than that half the people that do play basketball can’t even dunk. “White style of game” I don’t even know what that means basketball is basketball its either you know how to play or you don’t. There is no need to make an all white league it will just bring more controversies to America and we already have enough to deal with.

]]> By: evelynlizette http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-27859 evelynlizette Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:02:26 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-27859 The first thing that came to me as i was watching this video was: racist. We know how bad it sounds and in earlier posts, several people talked about the mr and ms black penn state and how that excludes people who arent black which is the same thing "Moose" is trying to do with this all white team. He feels the need for "traditional" basketball is in high demand. I just feel its wrong to exclude anyone who isnt white to play even if theyre great qualified players. The mr and mrs black/brown penn state is a way for minorities to try and have a voice of their own because the regular mr and mrs penn state is just assumed to be the one where white people get picked, not always but its just expected. I feel like this issue taps into a bigger issue that lies in our country and its that were still fighting for equality of all. White people no theyve had an unfair advantage whether they want to admit it or not. i saw an interesting comic in class one day about the white boy using the black boy to get on top of the roof without the black boy's permission. After the white boy was on the roof and the black boy wanted help getting up, the white boy told him itd be racist if he helped him up the roof. If "moose" is filling a niche its the niche of "traditional" basketball without all the fancy footwork, but he talked about eliminating the fights that happen at basketball courts and the hype that comes with it. Black players are not the only ones getting into fights which is what he was getting at. He said there is a demand for a slower paced game not that theres a demand for white players only, separation in business is stupid. There would be a better revenue of profits if the team was inclusive of all talented players that respect the style the coach is trying to incorporate. I dont see something like this having much mainstream support and i thought there were equal opportunity laws when it came to forming a sports team. I just dont know where this kind of segregation is going to go. I know minorities have a setback but i just wonder when this disparity is going to finally end. When can we all line up evenly at the starting line? The first thing that came to me as i was watching this video was: racist. We know how bad it sounds and in earlier posts, several people talked about the mr and ms black penn state and how that excludes people who arent black which is the same thing "Moose" is trying to do with this all white team. He feels the need for "traditional" basketball is in high demand. I just feel its wrong to exclude anyone who isnt white to play even if theyre great qualified players.
The mr and mrs black/brown penn state is a way for minorities to try and have a voice of their own because the regular mr and mrs penn state is just assumed to be the one where white people get picked, not always but its just expected. I feel like this issue taps into a bigger issue that lies in our country and its that were still fighting for equality of all. White people no theyve had an unfair advantage whether they want to admit it or not. i saw an interesting comic in class one day about the white boy using the black boy to get on top of the roof without the black boy's permission.
After the white boy was on the roof and the black boy wanted help getting up, the white boy told him itd be racist if he helped him up the roof. If "moose" is filling a niche its the niche of "traditional" basketball without all the fancy footwork, but he talked about eliminating the fights that happen at basketball courts and the hype that comes with it.
Black players are not the only ones getting into fights which is what he was getting at. He said there is a demand for a slower paced game not that theres a demand for white players only, separation in business is stupid. There would be a better revenue of profits if the team was inclusive of all talented players that respect the style the coach is trying to incorporate.
I dont see something like this having much mainstream support and i thought there were equal opportunity laws when it came to forming a sports team. I just dont know where this kind of segregation is going to go. I know minorities have a setback but i just wonder when this disparity is going to finally end. When can we all line up evenly at the starting line?

]]> By: hrta http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-26905 hrta Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:08:08 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-26905 The All-American Basketball Alliance; because apparently black people aren’t American? That’s at least the impression that I got from Don “Moose” Lewis’ proposal for an all-Caucasian basketball league. "Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league,"-Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like." The NBA though, is hardly the only professional basketball league in this country. Wikipedia lists 23 mens leagues, ranging from the National Basketball Association’s Development League (NBAD) to the Louisville Hoopfest Basketball League (LHBL) and the Iowa Basketball Exposure League (IBEL). What Moose is saying is that white people can’t, and do not desire to play pro level ball. Furthermore, he also infers that the actual quality of the game played in the NBA is not strategic –calling it “street ball”. Mr. Lewis of course claims no racist intent, citing "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now.” In an interview on the Daily Show, Moose told viewers that he was “a child of forced integration by the government –You want to deal with racism? Friends of yours, whites on the basketball team are pushed off the team because now all of a sudden you’ve got very talented black athletes that are going to the same school, and the coach wants to win. I’ve lived racism.” To me, that sounds more like bitterness rather than simply filling a “market niche”. I think it is kind of absurd though –not just that Moose conceived this idea to begin with, but that he genuinely doesn’t believe that this move is basically segregation. He was also asked why he felt the need to make the league all white, instead of simply creating a “fundamentals basketball league”. He replied that “Blacks overall are better athletes when it comes to the game of basketball.” The funny thing is that even though there may have been some pull for watching fundamental basketball –if played by the best fundamentally skilled players. But who’s going to watch average guys play basketball? For younger people, they can play it themselves, and older people can watch their kids’ high school games. Chances are; if this league gets viewership, it’s going to be from people who simply don’t want to support black athletes. I wonder then; how many more Americans hold racist beliefs, but would not actually consider themselves racists? The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) voiced that Moose’s league "attempts to set back what we've been trying to do for 100 years,” and “If [they] can do anything to stop it, [they] will.” Hopefully they wont have to do much. The All-American Basketball Alliance; because apparently black people aren’t American? That’s at least the impression that I got from Don “Moose” Lewis’ proposal for an all-Caucasian basketball league. "Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league,"-Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like."

The NBA though, is hardly the only professional basketball league in this country. Wikipedia lists 23 mens leagues, ranging from the National Basketball Association’s Development League (NBAD) to the Louisville Hoopfest Basketball League (LHBL) and the Iowa Basketball Exposure League (IBEL). What Moose is saying is that white people can’t, and do not desire to play pro level ball. Furthermore, he also infers that the actual quality of the game played in the NBA is not strategic –calling it “street ball”. Mr. Lewis of course claims no racist intent, citing "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now.”

In an interview on the Daily Show, Moose told viewers that he was “a child of forced integration by the government –You want to deal with racism? Friends of yours, whites on the basketball team are pushed off the team because now all of a sudden you’ve got very talented black athletes that are going to the same school, and the coach wants to win. I’ve lived racism.”
To me, that sounds more like bitterness rather than simply filling a “market niche”.

I think it is kind of absurd though –not just that Moose conceived this idea to begin with, but that he genuinely doesn’t believe that this move is basically segregation. He was also asked why he felt the need to make the league all white, instead of simply creating a “fundamentals basketball league”. He replied that “Blacks overall are better athletes when it comes to the game of basketball.”

The funny thing is that even though there may have been some pull for watching fundamental basketball –if played by the best fundamentally skilled players. But who’s going to watch average guys play basketball? For younger people, they can play it themselves, and older people can watch their kids’ high school games. Chances are; if this league gets viewership, it’s going to be from people who simply don’t want to support black athletes.

I wonder then; how many more Americans hold racist beliefs, but would not actually consider themselves racists? The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) voiced that Moose’s league "attempts to set back what we've been trying to do for 100 years,” and “If [they] can do anything to stop it, [they] will.” Hopefully they wont have to do much.

]]> By: ajb81 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-26241 ajb81 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:05:49 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-26241 Saying that white people have a different style of play basically means that they are not good enough to play in the NBA. Try and restate it anyway you want, but if you are creating a league for whites only because the NBA is too fast paced then you are admitting that this other league will be slower and not as good. I would be embarrassed to participate in the white only league. One of the reasons people play sports is to play against the best competition. In order to find the best competition, you have to let everyone participate. This league is just defeating the point of having a professional league. This type of league is also reflects badly upon our country and its great advances is has made with race relations. People have tried to use segregation before it did not turn out so well. Granted this is a different situation since there is still the NBA but maybe the white players in that league would want to play in the all white league which would create a problem since that would lower the number of whites in the NBA which is already not very high. A worst case scenario would be if this league actually caught on and all the whites moved to the league and we were left with a white league and a black league. Then one league might not have a big enough audience and not get enough funding so it might collapse, thus leaving us with one league of one race. This is a very farfetched idea but there is always a possibility that it could happen. Even if it happens to a lesser degree, it would not be good for the sport of basketball. If this idea gets the go ahead then what is to stop college teams from starting all white teams? There would be a league for the white style of play so kids in college would want to practice it and possibly try out for the league. The black students would still only have the NBA, which white students could still play in. This would be very unfair to the players who are minorities. The classification of who is a pure white person and who is not would also bring up a lot of issues. I have a feeling that there would be a lot of debate on whether or certain players believe they should be allowed to play or not and it could get out of control. I believe that this league is a very bad idea and that the person who thought of it should definitely reconsider. Also, he should accept that he is a racist. He is excluding people based on their race. If that is not racism then I do not know what is. Saying that white people have a different style of play basically means that they are not good enough to play in the NBA. Try and restate it anyway you want, but if you are creating a league for whites only because the NBA is too fast paced then you are admitting that this other league will be slower and not as good. I would be embarrassed to participate in the white only league. One of the reasons people play sports is to play against the best competition. In order to find the best competition, you have to let everyone participate. This league is just defeating the point of having a professional league.

This type of league is also reflects badly upon our country and its great advances is has made with race relations. People have tried to use segregation before it did not turn out so well. Granted this is a different situation since there is still the NBA but maybe the white players in that league would want to play in the all white league which would create a problem since that would lower the number of whites in the NBA which is already not very high. A worst case scenario would be if this league actually caught on and all the whites moved to the league and we were left with a white league and a black league. Then one league might not have a big enough audience and not get enough funding so it might collapse, thus leaving us with one league of one race. This is a very farfetched idea but there is always a possibility that it could happen. Even if it happens to a lesser degree, it would not be good for the sport of basketball. If this idea gets the go ahead then what is to stop college teams from starting all white teams? There would be a league for the white style of play so kids in college would want to practice it and possibly try out for the league. The black students would still only have the NBA, which white students could still play in. This would be very unfair to the players who are minorities.

The classification of who is a pure white person and who is not would also bring up a lot of issues. I have a feeling that there would be a lot of debate on whether or certain players believe they should be allowed to play or not and it could get out of control. I believe that this league is a very bad idea and that the person who thought of it should definitely reconsider. Also, he should accept that he is a racist. He is excluding people based on their race. If that is not racism then I do not know what is.

]]> By: las5545 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25548 las5545 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:43:16 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25548 This man is basically does not man white people to feel like they cannot be the best at something so he is blaming it on the color of their skin, when in fact he should just accept that white people cannot be the best at every single thing. The NBA does not exclude white players and is not just “black” basketball. White people play basketball everyday because they enjoy it and it is their hobby, why do they need to make it into their living when they clearly are not good enough to play in college basketball or the NBA to begin with? It simply does not make sense to ban any players who are not white. These plays of other races just want to play basketball like every other white person who cannot make it into the NBA. Even though “moose” is not intending to be racist about his new sport, that is definitely the outcome….January 29 This man is basically does not man white people to feel like they cannot be the best at something so he is blaming it on the color of their skin, when in fact he should just accept that white people cannot be the best at every single thing. The NBA does not exclude white players and is not just “black” basketball. White people play basketball everyday because they enjoy it and it is their hobby, why do they need to make it into their living when they clearly are not good enough to play in college basketball or the NBA to begin with? It simply does not make sense to ban any players who are not white. These plays of other races just want to play basketball like every other white person who cannot make it into the NBA. Even though “moose” is not intending to be racist about his new sport, that is definitely the outcome….January 29

]]> By: axg5068 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25492 axg5068 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:12:48 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25492 You know, to be perfectly honest with you, I am not completely sure of this man’s intentions or motives in creating this native-born all white basketball league. I mean he says he is trying to fit a “niche” in the entertainment market. However, in order to fit a niche in the market, there also has to be a need for that “entertainment” as he calls it. Honestly, I have not heard people complain about the fact that there are not enough white players in the NBA. And it’s not as if there are no good white players in the League either. Look at Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol for starters. Anyways, if this league turns out to be successful, I will be shocked. This gentlemen is likely to face a lawsuit of some sort, maybe even from the NAACP. I just don’t think that there is a place to discriminate against people based on any differentiation factors in today’s society. I would understand if he was serving a niche market, but you can not say that you have a niche market when there is really no proof of the need for such “entertainment.” You know, to be perfectly honest with you, I am not completely sure of this man’s intentions or motives in creating this native-born all white basketball league. I mean he says he is trying to fit a “niche” in the entertainment market. However, in order to fit a niche in the market, there also has to be a need for that “entertainment” as he calls it. Honestly, I have not heard people complain about the fact that there are not enough white players in the NBA. And it’s not as if there are no good white players in the League either. Look at Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol for starters. Anyways, if this league turns out to be successful, I will be shocked. This gentlemen is likely to face a lawsuit of some sort, maybe even from the NAACP. I just don’t think that there is a place to discriminate against people based on any differentiation factors in today’s society. I would understand if he was serving a niche market, but you can not say that you have a niche market when there is really no proof of the need for such “entertainment.”

]]> By: ACL http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25194 ACL Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:55:50 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25194 Also, Moose just sounded so incredibly dumb when he tried to explain himself. Black, white and brown people equally are just as reckless as anyone else. It is not their skin color that makes them carry guns or attack fans or play the game. It is the love of the game and the annoying fans trying to get the players to make a wrong move. Fans were asking to restore the on court sanity of the game of basketball, not to slow it down. Also, Moose just sounded so incredibly dumb when he tried to explain himself. Black, white and brown people equally are just as reckless as anyone else. It is not their skin color that makes them carry guns or attack fans or play the game. It is the love of the game and the annoying fans trying to get the players to make a wrong move. Fans were asking to restore the on court sanity of the game of basketball, not to slow it down.

]]> By: ACL http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25197 ACL Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:55:36 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25197 So if Moose was really filling this certain market niche then shouldn’t he be making all different kinds of basketball leagues for all different types of people? One for Asians, one for left-handed people, one for short people, one for super tall people, one for average people, etc. The list can go on and on forever. Additionally, I would not want to pay to see a slow-paced game of basketball. That is what little league basketball is for, and those kids are probably way cuter than most of these guys would be. So if Moose was really filling this certain market niche then shouldn’t he be making all different kinds of basketball leagues for all different types of people? One for Asians, one for left-handed people, one for short people, one for super tall people, one for average people, etc. The list can go on and on forever.
Additionally, I would not want to pay to see a slow-paced game of basketball. That is what little league basketball is for, and those kids are probably way cuter than most of these guys would be.

]]> By: ACL http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25195 ACL Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:55:23 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25195 He is saying that non-white people can’t play because they are too good and would ruin the slowness of the game. REALLY? Come on. That is just absurd. I bet Larry Bird would not agree with that very much, or Jerry West or Steve Nash, Rick Barry, Bill Walton, Bob Cousy, Pete Maravich, Dirk Nowitzki, John Stockton or even Kevin McHale. Would these people be allowed to play in this league? They are all players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race. Or would they ruin the “traditional brand of basketball” that they know and enjoy, the one without the upscale tempo of basketball that is played professionally? Where is he cutting the line here? At how good someone is or at how white they are? He is saying that non-white people can’t play because they are too good and would ruin the slowness of the game. REALLY? Come on. That is just absurd. I bet Larry Bird would not agree with that very much, or Jerry West or Steve Nash, Rick Barry, Bill Walton, Bob Cousy, Pete Maravich, Dirk Nowitzki, John Stockton or even Kevin McHale. Would these people be allowed to play in this league? They are all players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race. Or would they ruin the “traditional brand of basketball” that they know and enjoy, the one without the upscale tempo of basketball that is played professionally? Where is he cutting the line here? At how good someone is or at how white they are?

]]> By: ACL http://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/why-is-this-racist-really/comment-page-3/#comment-25196 ACL Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:55:08 +0000 http://www.racerelationsproject.org/?p=1538#comment-25196 I can’t help but state that when I first read this I laughed to myself. Like really? A league that only “players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league.” Like what is this? I pictured a sort of Dodgeball-esque scene unfolding in my head. Before the Average Joe team gained the help of legendary ADAA champ Patches O'Houlihan they were a bunch of misfits who did not even know the rules of the game. This is how I picture this league. I picture them not knowing how to play, slowly jogging down the court, grandma shooting the ball for free throws and the highest score would rival that of a high school girls game. I know this may sound equally racist in that white guys can’t play basketball but it seems as though Don “Moose” Lewis is portraying this league this way. I can’t help but state that when I first read this I laughed to myself. Like really? A league that only “players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league.” Like what is this? I pictured a sort of Dodgeball-esque scene unfolding in my head. Before the Average Joe team gained the help of legendary ADAA champ Patches O'Houlihan they were a bunch of misfits who did not even know the rules of the game. This is how I picture this league. I picture them not knowing how to play, slowly jogging down the court, grandma shooting the ball for free throws and the highest score would rival that of a high school girls game. I know this may sound equally racist in that white guys can’t play basketball but it seems as though Don “Moose” Lewis is portraying this league this way.

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