Nunnie on the Sideline

Submitted by Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

Last week I alerted you to a subject that I believe may prove controversial, impractical, or implausible but one that I hoped would at least generate some serious contemplation and consideration. In today’s political climate and division, I believe that our high school and college athletes no longer have the luxury of straddling the fence when faced with the choice of selecting a college to attend and compete athletically. Remember MJ’s exhortation: “Republicans buy sneakers too.” Consider the states that consistently vote against minority interests, or to put it more bluntly- the interests of Black people in America. The majority represents the same states that formed the confederacy: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, et al.

Think about it! The major sports -football and basketball – are comprised predominantly of Black athletes. They cheer for you on Saturdays and Sundays, but send senators and congressmen like MTG, Ted Cruz, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Cindy Hyde Smith ( the infamous hanging quote), Tommy Tuberville ( the lone senator holding up military officer promotions), and Lindsey Graham ( wishy washy personified) who vote overwhelmingly and punitively against our interests: The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and in most cases Medicaid for the poor. On the other hand, they love gerrymandering, voter suppression, pro life, assault weapons, denying climate change, dictators like Putin and police murdering young Black people with impunity.

I want our intelligent, gifted athletes to spurn the illegal payments, the lavish facilities, the escorts, and all the bells and whistles that mesmerize them, their parents, coaches, or anyone else who may benefit from an athlete signing with SEC, ACC and other conferences in states that are political adversaries and enemies. In essence stop selling yours souls (talents) to those who care absolutely nothing about you/us as people. The model, example or precedent has already been established with Deion Sanders convincing the number one recruit in the country to forego the trappings of FSU for JSU. And there have been other examples. The point is: There are options like HBCUs, the PAC 12 or most Big 10 schools, conferences that admitted Blacks when it wasn’t in vogue. I simply encourage all impacted to consider the improbable but possible mass exodus away from states like Tennessee which recently expelled two minority lawmakers who dared protest against gun violence after the death of 4 innocent persons going about their daily tasks.

Tough times call for tough measures. Consider being selfless, not selfish. Just take a look at the political landscape juxtaposed to the athletic prostitution existing in the good ole south. Finally, people like Ron DeSantis and Texas  Governor Greg Abbott didn’t become “hitlers”in isolation. Florida and Texas represent the very worst in America today politically and democratically. I don’t profess to know what the answers are, but I do know that democracy as we know it is under attack, that there is something sinister about gun proliferation which has led to the deaths of too many innocent children and citizens, and that standing on the sidelines, especially for our student/athletes, is not an option, completely unacceptable. We’ll talk!