"Buck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Brendon M. Troy wrote:
The implication that all black people are poor, and that all that
all black people are interested in doing for recreation is
basketball (in overpriced shoes, no less). Those (followed up by
more generalization about what "black people like to (do)") were
what I took umbrage at, if it wasn't clear.

-Brendon

Brendon,

It seems to me that you are a victim of the hyper-sensitivity that
seems prevalent in the U.S. these days. Every group - whether linked by
race, economic status, attendance at a certain college - has certain
characteristics in common. Is should not be considered racist to
discuss commonalities and point out the outliers which defy the
stereotype.

This discussion about blacks and cycling reminds me of a report
yesterday about "Urban Youth" who are participating in a program which
exposes them to another primarily white sport, snowboarding. The first
youth interviewed says "I thought it was just uh... a sport for white
people." Although they are careful to call him a poor inner-city youth,
he sounds like a young black man. Here's where you can hear it for
yourself: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4517994

He also states that he loved to watch the sport on TV, but never
considered participating. I find it facinating that this young man
recognizes there are differences and is willing to voice it. Yet here
we are on this open form getting incensed over some simple comments.

Is it reasonable to have such an inflammatory response over an unbiased
observation or fact? Most of our world operates in a self-segratory
manner. Just look at blacks, hispanics, or asians in the U.S., Kurds in
Iraq, or Palestinians in Israel. Why do we have a "Little Italy" in New
York or a "Chinatown" in San Francisco? Since we have such
self-segration in cities, is it unreasonable to think we may also have
self-segregation in sports or other activities? I think it is important
to discuss the issues so we can understand *why* these things happen
and perhaps do something about it.

-Buck


Isn't it interesting how we're supposed to "celebrate diversity," but we
dare not point out any of the attributes that make us diverse.

--
Bob C.

"Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding that it hurts."
T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)