Proud of my Hoosiers in Black History Month

Proud of my Hoosiers in Black History Month

The United States has had a history of race and racial problems. February 2018

To many people the above assertion might be a "no duh" obvious declaration, or simply an understatement, or even a gross offense to slight such huge abuses over time.

However, in the history of the United States, the rays of sunshine of improvement include that we as Americans often recognize our problems and ills; we seek to shine light on past offenses, abuses, injustice; we Americans try to properly address them and rectify them.

In that cause and spirit there has been the government and social initiative to celebrate and recognize Black History Month throughout the United States.

I am not sure why February is the ordained month; it is the shortest month in the year. Some could take offense to that, I can see the irony. Sure, give a facetious nod to the historically disenfranchised, providing them the shortest, possibly coldest shrift of a month possible. Knock it out early in the year, and then forget about the peoples that have been trodden upon and forgotten about since the inception of the nation in the 1700s.

That is a cynical way of looking at it.

I do not think it is a bad month, nor do I view it cynically. I happen to see February as somewhat appropriate for Black History Month for a couple reasons, one of them being about sports. The other one is about Presidents. Both the head executives of the land and sporting history have a place with the American people writ large, and particularly with the African-Americans who make up such a vital part of our shared history.

Sports-wise, February usually has the Super Bowl the first weekend, which tends to feature a large proportion of African-American athletes. This helps much of those individuals on the teams, those that are predominantly black, and therefore celebrated for their achievements and merits in the physical arena. They get more attention and glory. And money. Hopefully their respective communities benefit from the consequent success, they can help develop the limelight and resources for further growth in the groups and the communities where they hail from. Ideally, this is progress.

And yet, like a shortened month, or starting the American experience largely as slaves on a continent not of their choice, perhaps the trickle down effect by professional football is not really big enough.

Enter college basketball, and also it's bigger more lucrative brother, professional basketball. 

Both realms are dominated by African-American athletes. And unlike American football, the threat of disabling injuries is considerably less, which is a substantial positive for all people, but most certainly the people of the black community who succeed so much in this sport.

Professional or no, thousands of African-American basketball players, team supporters, coaches, and managers are benefited by the game.

I am from the state of Indiana where the sport basketball and its history are somewhat revered. It becomes more beautiful in the light of men and women of all races sharing the same stage, being celebrated for their merits rather than their skin color, or their educational background, or their parents or families' work or money that put them in a position to achieve and move up in their socio-economic status.

But Indiana is not unique in its celebration of the sport of basketball. You see it from Hawai'i to Alaska to Texas and Florida and Vermont. Even into much of Canada. All over North America, the kids use this sport as a vehicle for recreation, but then scholarships and advancement.

Communities large and small, in every state and perhaps most provinces, get behind and cheer on their teams and players, a disproportionate number of whom are black. The student athletes receive education and a chance to get ahead, no matter if their future is on or by the basketball court itself.

Academic opportunities are afforded to many first generation students. Thousands of these students are able to leave their former neighborhoods of downturn and possibly move on to a more successful environment, or even go back with the educational and professional tools that they were empowered with and make a difference.

It can start small, but it starts.

For example, a young African-African from a poor area of Chesapeake, Virginia does not go to worldwide fame and fortune like Allen Iverson, but he or she receives a scholarship in South Dakota or Idaho, a place where traditionally there are not many black people. But he or she is valued, regardless of background or race, and that student then has the choice to move forward based on those advantages provided.

It's not the lottery, nor is it the NBA millions or even the international big money that comes with playing on the court that brought the original scholarship opportunity. But perhaps it is something more: the formerly underprivileged individual (this applies to black, white, brown, Native-American, irrespective of race or ethnicity), now can see himself or herself in larger context, and future bosses and companies see them as the same.

Part of a winning, hardworking team.

Part of the American dream. Where hard work and team work translate to success.

That is the dream. Freedom and opportunity lead to success and prosperity.

And it can start in athletics. Moving. Learning. Cooperating. 

Celebrating.

IU beat Iowa yesterday in hard fought battle in snowy Iowa City ( I watched it I pay extra money per month to see such games). Thousands, if not millions, of Iowans and Hoosiers.

The Indiana women's basketball team beat Nebraska in Bloomington, too.

We love these student athletes, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. They are part of a bigger, more idealistic community. 

They interweave themselves as part of who we are as people: not black, not white, not brown.

People who come together and work on high arching goals. Together.

One team. Win or lose, all out effort.

Thanks Indiana University for giving us that.

Thanks to sports, for uniting us.

Thanks to the United States, for setting up places, and months, and ways, for all of us to succeed.

Eventually we will make it there.

The Xs and Os and balls and teams fade to the background, and it becomes who are:

A nation motivated by effort, work, and prosperity.

A land for freedom, opportunity, and joy. For all.