Prejudice Thoughts on Society

Racism still exists in a world that has become “free” and most likely will never face extinction. Whether it is at school, outside in public, in entertainment, or involving sports, America will always have its people that still cannot prosper the fact that black activist like Martin Luther King was the voice that turned things around.

            

The Donald Sterling issue scattered across the country within hours after TMZ released the recording from Mr. Sterling and his girlfriend. From guys like Magic Johnson, Doc Rivers, Stephen A. Smith, Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner), and the Los Angeles Clippers team all had something to say about the situation. The Clippers did a protest before a playoff game by wearing their warm-up shirts inside out. Many people wanted to see Sterling banned from the NBA and for him to sell the Clippers team. Eventually Sterling ended up being forced to sell the Clippers and having to pay a fine for the horrible racist’s remarks he made.

            

Weeks after the Sterling incident, the Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spoke at a Nashville conference about society’s challenges with racism. “We are a lot less tolerant on different views & we are all prejudice one way or another,” said Cuban. “If I see a black guy in a hoodie late at night, I’m walking to the other side. If there’s a white guy, bald head, tattoos everywhere, I’m walking on the other side of the street.” Many people backfired and made their statements and remarks towards what he said. Some called him a racist some said he was defending Mr. Sterling, and some agreed with Cuban. Cuban ended up apologizing to the Trayvon Martin family after considering the fact he said “black guy in a hoodie.”

            

The overall spectrum of “racism” as a whole speaks for itself. A black guy wearing a hoodie can be any African American in the world wearing a hoodie late at night rather than a white guy with a bald head with tattoos everywhere. Every white person isn't bald or has tattoos everywhere. Cuban isn't the only one that thinks this way given the fact that the first thing that came to his mind was “black guy in a hoodie” could be the first thing he thought of.

 “Race is not a card, it’s a condition,” said Michael Dyson. “Martin Luther King Jr. dress correctly, he spoke the kings English to the queens taste, he wore a fedora. Rose parks were immaculately dressed but despite their immaculately dressed they were subject to the most vicious forms of recrimination.”   

Stereotypes have always been a part of this society. What Cuban did was open eyes to many people due of the fact that he was one of the first to admit that everyone can have prejudice ways in a public matter. There are some white people who agree with Cuban but never wanted to say anything because they didn't want to get listed as a racist. As bad as it sounds, it is very true. America can’t face the truth whether they like it or not. In this society, image matters. The way you look on the outside can be completely different than what’s on the inside. Sagging pants, explicit shirts, and wearing bandannas, will automatically assume that you fit in the “thug” category. If a cop pulled over someone wearing any of what was just mentioned or someone dressing apart delivering the more professional look, which will have the better outcome?

Richard Sherman was criticized after the NFC championship game for the rant he did during an interview with Erin Andrews. He was considered a “thug” for what reasons? He saved the game for the Seattle Seahawks by deflecting Kaepernick pass to Michael Crabtree in the end zone and called Crabtree a “mediocre” wide receiver. Labeled as a thug, Sherman spoke out and said, “The only reason it bothers me because it seems like it’s the accepted way of calling somebody the n-word nowadays.” By the way, Sherman went to Stanford and left with a 3.9 GPA.

 In the sports world, fans view athletes by their production on and off the field. During a post game interview, the athletes are usually going with the professional look. When an athlete features on ESPN, that athlete is usually going with a professional look.  Same goes with draft day, hall of fame ceremonies, and at the ESPYS. Athletes have an image and have to protect that image by dressing professional on TV when they are not playing. If someone wants a job, they’re going to dress professional and same goes with accepting awards at a banquet. It is nothing the black community can do about it as a whole to stop others from thinking prejudice thoughts about their race and the same thing goes the other way around. Image reflects who a person is, that’s why the prejudice behaviors enhance in real belief.