NASCAR chairman Brian France has had a lot of face time recently, speaking about a variety of topics that influence the racing circuit including everything from the economy, the auto industry, and "America's Funniest Home Videos". Apparently, Mr. France is not a fan of the show; especially after ABC decided to bump the last few laps of a primetime Sprint Cup race this past weekend in order to show and episode of AFV.
While this is embarrassing in itself, it is a sign of - among other things - that NASCAR is a bit on the down side. For one thing, NASCAR's assertion that it is becoming a major "sport" is now a bit suspect. If it were a major money maker, ABC would not move the race to another network in order to show a program like AFV. No knock on the show, anything that can stay on the air nearly 20 years has to be doing something right, but AFV still clings to the cheap, crude comedy of stupid people doing stupid things on tape which, if we're lucky, includes someone getting kicked in the groin. And as we all know how painful (and funny) that is, the idea that a NASCAR race was moved to another network in order to deliver a steady half-hour of America's best and brightest showcasing their finest moments is incredibly more painful (and fantastically more hilarious).
Along with this incident, the struggling economy will have a more drastic effect on NASCAR that it will on the NFL, NBA, or MLB. The biggest part of that will be the three major US auto makers are so very down that the level of their participation in NASCAR has been questioned and will be amended in order for NASCAR to stay afloat.
While it is a little disturbing to see something like NASCAR struggling, it only proves the point that auto racing is a niche attraction in America and not the ratings giant they claim to be. Despite all the flaws in any of the three major sports, no network would ever dream of bumping the last few minutes or innings of a playoff game for anything. What's worse is that the NASCAR bump wasn't that big of a news item. On the other hand, TBS's ALCS Game 6 incident caused quite a stir and undoubtedly a few people their jobs.
An incident like this only furthers the argument that NASCAR is not only outside the realm of the major sports but that it lacks the substance to be considered a "sport" at all. There is no doubt that what the drivers have to endure is difficult and that it takes someone especially skilled to manage all that goes on during a race, but just because it is difficult doesn't mean that it can be classified as a "sport". NASCAR fans can argue until they are blue in the face in defense of their favorite attraction, but what they can not dispute is the fact that day in and day out the biggest determining factor between victory or defeat is not human, but a machine. All of the three major sports are true tests of athletic prowess; NASCAR lacks that aspect which makes it difficult for it to be considered legitimate in the eyes of sports fans. Perhaps if NASCAR was able to incorporate that facet into what they are, then they would not have to endure incidents like the one this past weekend.
NASCAR has a giant cloud of embarrassment hanging over them right how. And while it's not as embarrassing as getting kicked in the crotch on national television, it is equally funny. Something Mr. France probably doesn't agree with.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
No laughing matter
Knock, knock. Who's there? Who knows, and for that matter: who cares? As long as they have a sly remark, witty comment, or snappy punchline they are most definitely welcome.
No one can argue that they don't enjoy a good joke. In almost every circumstance and in almost every mood, the healing power of laughter can brighten any day or at the very least keep an already good day good. But anyone who has ever been in a joking situation can attest to the fact that they have been in situations when a joke has crossed the line. Whatever it is about, there is inevitably one person who kills the mood by making a joke about a subject that is just not funny. And whether everyone is offended or just one person, the atmosphere becomes instantly uncomfortable.
Apparently, Bernie Ecclestone is one of those people who crosses the line from fun and joking to racist and uncomfortable. The President and CEO of Formula One dismissed the notion that comments made about F1 champion Lewis Hamilton were racist and just "jokes". Hamilton - who is Formula One's first ever black world champion - wasn't too amused.
This is not the first time Hamilton has been on the receiving end of racist "jokes"; it is also not the first time that fans from Spain have been on the telling end of these quips. The Spaniards sense of humor has nearly cost them the privilege of hosting Formula One races in the past, but - alas - fans just can't seem to keep their side-splitters to themselves.
Another joker, this one from Texas, learned how much an innocent joke can cost. Buck Burnette - the now former offensive lineman from the University of Texas - posted a comment on Facebook about President-elect Barack Obama that so incensed head coach Mack Brown that upon learning of the comment (which can be seen in the previous link) that Brown immediately dismissed Burnette from the team. Not so funny now, is it?
Unofrtunately, none of these incidents were or will ever be funny. "Sad" is the operative word in situations like these. And what is most sad about all of this - more so than fans making racist comments, or having the president of the league support those racist fans and not the league's young star, or a student attending an institution of higher learning showing ignorance and bigotry towards a man who represents a ray of hope for so many - is that intolerance of this level still permeates even in the wake of such a historic day not just for the United States, but the whole world. It seems to be mentioned all too often, but despite how far the world has come, there is still a long way to go.
And that aint no joke.
No one can argue that they don't enjoy a good joke. In almost every circumstance and in almost every mood, the healing power of laughter can brighten any day or at the very least keep an already good day good. But anyone who has ever been in a joking situation can attest to the fact that they have been in situations when a joke has crossed the line. Whatever it is about, there is inevitably one person who kills the mood by making a joke about a subject that is just not funny. And whether everyone is offended or just one person, the atmosphere becomes instantly uncomfortable.
Apparently, Bernie Ecclestone is one of those people who crosses the line from fun and joking to racist and uncomfortable. The President and CEO of Formula One dismissed the notion that comments made about F1 champion Lewis Hamilton were racist and just "jokes". Hamilton - who is Formula One's first ever black world champion - wasn't too amused.
This is not the first time Hamilton has been on the receiving end of racist "jokes"; it is also not the first time that fans from Spain have been on the telling end of these quips. The Spaniards sense of humor has nearly cost them the privilege of hosting Formula One races in the past, but - alas - fans just can't seem to keep their side-splitters to themselves.
Another joker, this one from Texas, learned how much an innocent joke can cost. Buck Burnette - the now former offensive lineman from the University of Texas - posted a comment on Facebook about President-elect Barack Obama that so incensed head coach Mack Brown that upon learning of the comment (which can be seen in the previous link) that Brown immediately dismissed Burnette from the team. Not so funny now, is it?
Unofrtunately, none of these incidents were or will ever be funny. "Sad" is the operative word in situations like these. And what is most sad about all of this - more so than fans making racist comments, or having the president of the league support those racist fans and not the league's young star, or a student attending an institution of higher learning showing ignorance and bigotry towards a man who represents a ray of hope for so many - is that intolerance of this level still permeates even in the wake of such a historic day not just for the United States, but the whole world. It seems to be mentioned all too often, but despite how far the world has come, there is still a long way to go.
And that aint no joke.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Still a long way to go...
As most of the United States - and a good portion of the rest of the world as well - celebrates the historic victory of now President-elect Barack Obama, it is easy to feel good and appreciate this great moment in time as one that will be a permanent fixture in history's texts for the rest of time. It is a moment not just for the black community or for minorities, but the fantastic recognition of how the US and the world has come so far that a mixed-race man has been elected to one of the most powerful positions in the world. Although both positive and historic, Obama's presidency is not at all the resolution to any singular problem, merely the beginning. And while it is a sign that we have indeed come so far, we just have to look around to realize that we still have a long way to go.
A little over a week ago, two very disturbing stories surfaced that proved this very fact. In Lithuania, Valdas Garastas, the head of powerful basketball federation, apologized for a racist outburst against two black Americans who play in the Baltic state. Garastas referred to the players as "n*****s" and "black ass-h***s". On that same day, three students from Quinnipiac University were arrested and dismissed from the university for "racial harassment of black players on the school's men's and women's basketball teams."
While these incidents are alarming (or at least they should be), especially in the wake of the historic election, they are undoubtedly not isolated incidents. Although they might not surface to the level of any real attention, I can guarantee that on almost every campus and in almost every boardroom all across the country and the world racial slurs are thrown around and ignorant, bigoted actions are taking place.
Basketball is increasingly becoming the new global game as its popularity soars to new heights. But growth abroad has not at all translated into racial harmony. As indicated by these two incidents and so many others that go unnoticed or are simply brushed over, there is much work to be done even as the world enters the time when a man of a racial minority will be in charge of one of the most powerful and influential democracies on earth. The election of Barack Obama is the signal of a great positive change in this country and should also be a starting point to not just sports fans, but to everyone to call out intolerance and bigotry when it rears its ugly head. Let it be known that we will not tolerate it any longer. Although it might seem like a heavy task to stand up to those who wallow in ignorance, it is something that must be done.
In the words of the President-elect: "Yes we can!"
A little over a week ago, two very disturbing stories surfaced that proved this very fact. In Lithuania, Valdas Garastas, the head of powerful basketball federation, apologized for a racist outburst against two black Americans who play in the Baltic state. Garastas referred to the players as "n*****s" and "black ass-h***s". On that same day, three students from Quinnipiac University were arrested and dismissed from the university for "racial harassment of black players on the school's men's and women's basketball teams."
While these incidents are alarming (or at least they should be), especially in the wake of the historic election, they are undoubtedly not isolated incidents. Although they might not surface to the level of any real attention, I can guarantee that on almost every campus and in almost every boardroom all across the country and the world racial slurs are thrown around and ignorant, bigoted actions are taking place.
Basketball is increasingly becoming the new global game as its popularity soars to new heights. But growth abroad has not at all translated into racial harmony. As indicated by these two incidents and so many others that go unnoticed or are simply brushed over, there is much work to be done even as the world enters the time when a man of a racial minority will be in charge of one of the most powerful and influential democracies on earth. The election of Barack Obama is the signal of a great positive change in this country and should also be a starting point to not just sports fans, but to everyone to call out intolerance and bigotry when it rears its ugly head. Let it be known that we will not tolerate it any longer. Although it might seem like a heavy task to stand up to those who wallow in ignorance, it is something that must be done.
In the words of the President-elect: "Yes we can!"
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