By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
Recent SCOTUS decisions abolishing Affirmative Action, allowing public entities to discriminate against the LGBTQ community (ruling on a fictional, bogus case that shouldn’t have been heard), and prohibiting President Biden from offering relief to students burden with college debt simply fortifies my contention that conscientious student/athletes should strongly consider selecting and attending universities in states that believe in democracy, DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – and the American dream for all juxtaposed to states with governors, senators, congress persons and politicians who consistently and insidiously vote against minority interests. There are alternatives in HBCUS, PAC 12, Big Ten and independent schools which align with our values. Parents, I urge you to, at the minimum, have a conversation based on merits of proposal. I remember growing up rooting for any school that had Black athletes on their rosters in the fifties and sixties. How many of you recall the 1972 Alabama/Nebraska Orange Bowl Classic featuring Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, OB MVP Willie Harper and Outland Trophy recipient Rich Glover. The foresight and vision of Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney allowed him to recruit great players regardless of their race.
According to Wikipedia, while the Crimson Tide finally fielded Black Players, they lost the National Championship to a well Integrated University of Nebraska team. Nebraska’s victory played a part in causing the SEC as a whole to integrate their teams, and that integration would help Alabama reinvorgate their team, creating a new dynasty, winning National Championships in the years to come.
Therein lies the problem. Alabama, the state, is one of the worst when it comes to suppressing concerns of Black and minority citizens. However, over half, if not more of their players, are Black. Ironically, that is true of all SEC and ACC schools.
One more example that comes to mind was the racially charged game pitting Adolph Rupp’s all white Kentucky Wildcats against the fully integrated Minors of Texas Western led by progressive head coach Don Haskins. The myth was always the same: Blacks were inferior in every measureable aspect to whites. The supposedly inferior Black team defeated the SEC Wildcats, changing the college basketball landscape forever. My point is that people like Tommy Tuberville and Ron DeSantis want to take this country backwards. And I believe today’s athletes better get their heads out of the sand and get involved, get involved, get involved!
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