The first take is an ESPN sports show which has panelists debate different topics.
Rob Parker who is an ESPN black sports reporter was a panelist who wanted to delve into Robert Griffith III “blackness level”. Parker made comments such as “RG3 is not one of us”, “not down with the cause”, “…is a republican and has a white fiancée”.
He also asked whether RG3 is “a brother” or a “cornball brother”.
RG3’s dad had a great response; Parker needs to define what being“one of us” is.
I am a black man and I have been involved in situations where a black person has told me that I’m not black enough. In these situations, I asked them, is being Black a race or a culture?
RG3 is a well spoken, mild mannered and educated black man. RG3 graduated in 3 years with a 3.67 GPA in Political Science. He was working on his master’s degree in Education during his last year at Baylor University. He has never implicated in any off the field issues. Why is it that we are we not celebrating all the positive attributes he brings to the table? He is what all black athletes should aspire to be. Instead he is ridiculed about his lack of “blackness”.
If a police officer were to see me in a hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap, he would certainly consider me to be what I am, a black male. So, why is it that to some fellow blacks, I’m not black or black enough?
How can we still have people who think it is all right to separate black males into the “House” or “Field Negro” categories? In my view, that is what Parker is saying by making his hurtful and disgraceful comments towards RG3. His behavior is simply a form of Black on Black violence. I hope Rob Parker’s suspension will be a long one. He only received a 30 day suspension.
Wanting to become the President of the United States, an astronaut, an opera singer or a gold medal winning gymnast may not be considered the “typical” things black people do. However, we should not limit ourselves in our aspirations because we fear of not being perceived as black. I hope this will lead to discussions within the black communities. I hope it will lead to conclusions that it is fine to succeed, even if what you do or the way you behave is different from the “this is what black is”.
The question of being black enough is a barrier that is put in place to limit or prevent people of colour to succeed in different areas of life. As it is, we have enough barriers which may try to hold us back, so we don’t need to create our own limitations nor encourage the Rob Parkers of the world to question our blackness.
What do you think about Rob Parker’s comments?
Enjoy your day!
The Gambit 