African-American center fielder, Torii Hunter made a comment during a USA Today's round table on the state of baseball, that MLB uses dark-skinned players (he won't even refer to them as black) from countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to give an appearance that it has more African-Americans playing the game than it really does. He refers to these black Latino ball players as impostors.
To make black Latinos scapegoats as part of a big conspiracy is not the answer to the problem of getting more African-Americans back into the sport of baseball.
Tori's Hunter's exact words were: As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us. It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when I can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?' ... I'm telling you, it's sad.
Just because a black person speaks another language and comes from another country doesn't disqualify him as a member of the African diaspora.What's sad is not the theory of why MLB would want to pay less for an Afro-Latino player than a home-grown African-American player; I think he is making a good point here. What is sad is his obvious lack of knowledge of black history. The black race does not start and end in the United States. Just because a black person speaks another language and comes from another country doesn't disqualify him as a member of the African diaspora.
What is sad is his obvious lack of knowledge of black history. The black race does not start and end in the United States.
I certainly agree and respect Hunter's advocacy of an increased number of African-American participation in baseball, but let's call a spade a spade (no pun intended). I agree with Tori Hunter's critics that this was a terrible and illogical way to advance that struggle. To make black Latinos scapegoats as part of a big conspiracy is not the answer to the problem of getting more African-Americans back into the sport of baseball.
I agree with you.. I think that in the USA.. labels have become so important, some people don't take in history. I remember when I tried to apply for an scholarship.. and when I showed up for the interview.. I was ask if I was black.. I couldn't help to chuckled.. I can see how it can be frustrated for Black Americans, but we have to see things as they are.. all those players go for bootcamps.. and only those who survive bootcamp get drafted into teams..
ReplyDeleteBaako, out of curiosity, what is your nationality? I don't blame you for chuckling. That was a dumb question as to whether you are black or not; unless of course they are colorblind.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a teachable moment. Not too many people know of the African Diaspora. I lived next door to a Black girl from the Virgin Islands growing up, I also had a Jamaican friend in high school. I did not discover the "Caribbean-African connection" until being around Caribbean students in college. I always thought they were indigenous to their islands and just happened to look black. Why would I know any better?? Learning from History teachers who watered down Black History.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Blackandy. More slave ships went to the Caribbean and Latin-America than to the USA. Most of the indigenous people in those areas, the so-called Indians, were nearly wiped out due to overwork and disease and had to be replaced by African slaves to finish the dirty work of making people rich.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I'm very aware of the history of the Western Hemisphere and the atrocities carried out on the Native Americans and then the African slaves.
ReplyDelete//You have a great blog Bill, a "book" I'm sure you would love is Africana, The Encyclopedia of The African & African American Experience. It breaks down the arrival, history and experience of African people in every country in the Western Hemisphere and others around the world. I found this book to be a must-have. The book is expensive; however, most library systems across the U.S. should have a copy to borrow if needed. (If you decide to check the book out, avoid the concise version, it pales in comparison to the real thing.)
One of the interesting things I learned from this book is that several countries including Peru gave reparations after slavery. However, it wasn't to the former slaves, but to the FORMER SLAVE-MASTERS to compensate them for their loss of "property". Go figure...
Thank you, Blackandy. I had the Africana book for several years before donating it to the Oakland Public Library, LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh ok, you are on point Bill.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment---speaking another language & coming from another country does NOT disqualify that person as a member of the African diaspora.
ReplyDeleteI really hate that there's SUCH a lack of understanding on the part of Black Americans about "blackness" outside of the United States. There is a strong bias against non-English speaking people that is also very prevalent, too. It's not often discussed, but it exists, nonetheless.
I have had the unique experience of being discriminated against because I was Black, American and Afro-latina. When I hear stuff like this, it hurts me on behalf of each group. Very sad, indeed.
I'm from Honduras.. and sorry for the late response, I been MIA from the computer.. but I agree with all your comments, is very sad indeed.. I was reading an article today that said that 75% of kids in the USA.. don't know anything about Geography.. and maybe History.. This is very sad indeed..
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting . Pls , Who is the author of this Africana book ? I would love to read it .
ReplyDeleteEdwin Pèrez
Puerto Rico
Hi Edwin,
DeleteI'm not sure I understand your question. Which book is Africana. I never mention anything about such book. I am, however, the author of this blog African American-Latino World.
Bill