We spend a lot of time watching ESPN and talking about sports in our house. Allow me to step up onto my soap box for a moment and share my opinion about what I think is an unbalanced advantage that some players have over a kid from an average white family in the suburbs with parents who are married and who have a pretty normal home life. Most stories make a big deal about how this or that kid who comes from a rough neighborhood and who's only hope of making something of them self is through athletics to avoid certain gang-related death or prison. I am as big a fan as the next person of the movie "Blind Side" and thought it was truly inspirational.
How about a story about how a bunch of kids who played soccer together in elementary school wanted to try football because there is such a well run midget football program in their area. How this program has produced some amazing college athletes and NFL players, how these kids have formed life-long friendships, and how those coaches still care very much about these kids and the new kids that go through the program.
My problem comes from the fact that no one acknowledges, sometimes not even on their own team, that the average white kid from a loving, supportive home has to work just as hard, sometimes even harder, to gain an athletic opportunity. The world's perception of this kind of kid is that they have it all already. It is an amazing opportunity for any kid to get to play a sport they love and gain an education but is a lot of very, very hard work and dedication. Yes they get many advantages but also have to make the right choices and remain focused. Every kid who makes it to college-level sports has a story that took all the years leading up to college to unfold. Guess that doesn't make for enough "wow" factor. I support more balanced reporting.
Rooting Boxwood Cuttings
1 day ago
2 comments:
I AGREE.....and i do so because my boys are great atheletes and they didn't get the opportunity to play with all costs paid....no one noticed my cute handsome well rounded boys and their abilities.......and i blame their dad......see he was our story......3 poor white kids growing up without a father figure....in the poorer side of hemet.....a mother who had to work hard and still made it to all the practices.....huh what about those kids.....i agree.....more balanced reporting.........:)
Beautifully stated, Kim. America is hooked on the "wow" factor. "Hype" is in. It's got to be sensational or racially rooted to make the headlines. Pastoring a church is tough these days because so many expect the same "hype" in church. We're conditioned to it and often don't even know it. You hit the nail on the head with the words "fair and balanced." Are you a Fox reporter????? :-)
Post a Comment