Academics vs. Athletics: Black Parents Dilemma
Posted: Tuesday, July 10, 2007
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
Making the Honor Roll or Scoring a Touchdown? Ah, That Is the Question.
.jpg)
NBA superstar Le Bron James
Nearly 20 years after Edwards' admission, educators are asking why a growing number of Black parents, are placing more emphasis on athletics than academics, resulting in more football players and fewer scientists and financial consultants. Sadly, in bringing this issue to the forefront, only a smattering of Black leaders have addressed this topic, which lead experts to contend, Academics vs. Athletics in the African-American Community has been suppressed in secrecy. Moreover, they argue it's time to bring this problem out of the closet, where it can be discussed candidly and without interruption.
As to why parents overemphasize athletics, experts maintain it boils down to one simple explanation, M-O-N-E-Y. African-Americans believe that only via professional sports, can a young Black male with poor academic skills, earn $10 million putting a basketball through a hoop.
As an individual who believes strongly in financial productivity, I understand the desire of many impoverished athletes to have lots of money, but under no circumstances should they rely solely on sports to strike it rich. This observation is shared by famed psychologist Dr. Alvin Pouissant. In a 1997 interview with U.S. News and World Report, the Harvard adviser was asked if Blacks place too much emphasis on sports. He stated rhetorically, "Too many Black students are putting all their eggs in one basket."
Historical Context
In 1946, Woody Strode and fellow U.C.L.A. All-American Kenny Washington, made headlines when they became the first Blacks to integrate the National Football League, courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams. With their prolific skills, the duo provided the stratagem, which made it possible for today's superstars to achieve athletic immortality. "For years Blacks were denied the opportunity to play sports. Now that we have been given the chance, we are criticized for encouraging our children in their pursuit of athletic excellence," says Coach Phyllis Kilpatrick. "There is something incredibly wrong with that perception."
Kilpatrick, a 39-year-old physical education teacher, believes racism and limited opportunity are the reasons behind the controversy. "Whether you agree or disagree, Caucasians have been known to obtain jobs based solely on their skin color, with Blacks it's just the opposite," she says. Kilpatrick noted that although it may be viewed as reverse racism, many believe that Blacks are athletically superior to Whites. "So it's only natural that if you're good at something, you should be financially compensated for your services," she says emphaticaly.
To reiterate, the emphasis on sports revolves around one pivotal incentive, money. Experts maintain that by delving into the academic aspect, more questions come into play. Such as does the average Black male believe he is more inclined to achieve economic success with his brain or athletic skills? Such logic brings to mind the controversy surrounding the 1994 best- seller The Bell Curve. Written by Charles Murray and Richard Hernnstein, the book implied that Blacks are intellectually inferior to other races.
No Education, But Plenty of Green Backs
"By refusing to stress the importance of a quality education, Blacks are saying that the theories inspired by The Bell Curve and other books of its genre, are correct in their assessment," Kilpatrick admits, adding that she has first-hand knowledge that many athletes are not making the grade when it comes to academics. "I get discourage when I ask a 16-year-old who can practically dunk a basketball with his eyes shut, to name the capital of Illinois, only to have him respond sarcastically, 'I don't know, and don't wanna know. Besides, I'm going to the NBA and get paid, so I don't need to know nothing about Illinois, the capital or anything that smells like Illinois."
Another problem confronting this controversy, is the belief that parents are unconsciously setting up their children for failure. Traditionally, youngsters who display exceptional talent in a particular sport, are encouraged to become the next Derek Jeter or Le Bron James. Experts maintain parents experiencing financial difficulties look at million dollar athletes and envision their children making similar fortunes.
But unbeknownst to them, parents are predetermining dreams that may never materialize, according to sports writer Scott Bakalar. "There are few people who have the talent of Michael Jordan. But there are high school seniors who feel they are capable of becoming superstars." Bakalar maintains he personally knows ten high school seniors who can barely read above the 4th grade level, yet they are placing all their aspirations on making it to the NBA and NFL. "But what happens if they are not drafted by any team?" he says.
Bakalar maintains there is nothing wrong with parents encouraging their children to play sports, but it must be done for the right reason. "Telling an athlete with poor academic skills to excel in sports as a means of becoming a millionaire is not idealistic," he asserts. " Anything can happen to stamp out that dream, including career ending injuries and other unexpected disasters. Then what do they (athletes) have to fall back on?"
To test the validity of this controversy, I conducted a random poll in which I asked 60 respondents if parents place more emphasis on sports than academics. The results were not surprising, with 83 percent agreeing that athletics is over emphasized and 17 percent disagreeing. So, should African-American parents stop telling their athletically gifted sons and daughters, that sports is their key to financial wealth? Just ask the thousands of athletes, whose dreams of becoming millionaires failed to materialize.
As for those who say that being rich and poorly educated is still better, in comparison to being smart and poor; experts argue that although they may have millions, money cannot buy intelligence. Unfortunately, when given a choice between attaining a quality education or earning $4 million running a football into the end zone. There is little doubt that an impressionable 17-year-old with dreams of Nike commercials, would gladly take the money. How sad, having $2 million in your bank account, but being unable to read a simple children's book, without getting confused by all the big words. Hence, to paraphrase William Shakespeare, Therein Lies the Tragedy.
This Article has been viewed 4,315 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Leaving the race issue on the side lines for a moment what motivates an athlete can relate to many things. Yes playing to bring honor and recognition to your race can be one of these factors in those heroes who broke the racial barrier like the great Jackie Robinson who played against all odds a lone soldier fighting discrimination on the field with nothing but pure heart and a will to be a part. Today race in sports is integrated that is very little racial resistance is met among players. I believe we may have outgrown our childish prejudice through a few generations. I heard Derek Jeter say in a commercial [quote] “I live for this” most athletes although do make a considerable higher income than generations before them. The game has got to be in you, I don’t believe a player could perform or even make in to the professional leagues if he was doing it for the money. Have you seen some of the plays they perform on the field. Their like supermen out there putting their all into the game. These other occupations you mention Peggy (medicine, law, economics, politics, education, the technical fields, etc)." Hey without sports for a release these doctors, lawyers, politicians, teachers, etc. couldn’t do their job well. Just my viewMr. T: I hear your comments, and I while I agree with you, I hate the fact, that there are thousands of kids who choose sports over academics, only to end up broke, and unable to do something as simple as write a check. As for Derek Jeter, I love the guy; he is rich; handsome, intelligent and the greatest short stop to grace Yankee Stadium. But not everyone is Derek Jeter, and that is where the problem lies. Best Wishes and Continous Success
I am happy that all other races and cultures have resolved this problem so that their young people no longer have to deal with it. I am also sad that the African American community is the only group that still has to deal with this terrible issue.Welll, as much as I would like it to happen, racism is here to stay, and it is not going away anytime soon. As for the young generation of African-Americans, they must learn to persevere, in spite of this problem. Case in point: Whenever I talk to a young person who shows an intetrest in journalism, I tell them that when I decided to pursue a writinng career, I REFUSED to let my color deter my dreams. Best Wishes
I can understand the black parent dilemma this author portrays, but can't help thinking of the gorgeous blonde starlet sighing, "It's such a burden being beautiful! No one takes me seriously but my financial planner!"To the anonymous person who left the aforementioned comment, let me say that I find it both unique and strange. Strange in referring to “gorgeous blondes.” Would that be Paris Hilton and the infamous Brittney Spears? Admittedly, I think these two are just nut cases with a penchant for publicity. And they are far from gorgeous. (Smile. Unique, with reference to financial planners. Wow, isn’t it great to live in a country where you are free to express yourself without fear or embarrassment? Best Wishes and Keep Writing Those Comments, Because They Make My Life So Interesting!
Your article is well written and thought provoking. Watching a gifted athlete perform, excel, take physical conditioning to it's highest level, brings joy and inspiration to youth, shut-ins,older folks, hospitalized kids.Witness, the World Olympics, Pro and "College" sports. I consider dance from ballet to hip hop a sport, because of the discpline and rigor involved. The gifted young athletes love of their "game" and competiveness shows.The fact that their gifts are exploited for big business is nothing new and will never change as long as greed is part of the human equasion, but getting paid to do something you love,a dilemna? are you nuts? They can use their money to promote higher education for the "athleticly challenged" to become doctors, lawyers, scientists. Money solves a lot of issues and "A rising tide lifts all boats"Cari: In reading your comments, I want to say that you are among the people who get it. Yes, your remarks expressed exactly what I was trying to say. Sadly, they don't use their money to "promote higher education for the athleyicaly challenged." But to reiterate, your comments are eloquently stated. And I noted with my wry sense of humor the comments, "Getting paid to do something you love, are you nuts?" Loved it. Best Wishes and Keep Sending Those Comments, and I Will Certainly Keep Reading Them!
Oh Yea
This is an excellent article and as relevant today as the day you wrote it. Unfortunately it will be just as relevant 10 years from now unless we make some changes in how we educate our black youth on the values of education and the longshot odds of becoming the next Lebron.Hi:
Your comments says it all. But until Black America wakes up, our problems will continue. Unfortunately, we prefer to complain, rather than take action to empower ourselves.
Yes, racism will always exist; and if we are sitting back waiting for it to go away; we might as well just give up now. Wake up everybody, wake up!
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.