My Monthly Sports Minute: Social Injustice and Sports

“Can You Really Be Yourself?”

Growing up in a small, southwestern town full of basketball spirit, Black male athletes like myself were taught to be emotionless. When I got to high school, Ralph Tasker — my basketball coach — had been there well over 40 years. He helped integrate the high school and refused to coach if Black athletes could not participate.

***Rest in Peace Coach.*** Thank You for the help you provided the small town of Hobbs, New Mexico — especially as it pertains to Social Justice.

Let me get back to discussing emotions. I feel like I was brainwashed to not have emotions when I played. I am sure it saved me from some technical fouls and fights with my teammates during practice. However, a part of me wonders “what if” that lion was ever let loose? Granted, I have seen athletes lose all emotional control and that was not good for their career. So, how do we stay “true to ourselves” and the emotions we hold without becoming reckless or seeming “too soft?”

I find myself in deep prayer for my son who struggles with emotional control. Like me, he started playing basketball at an early age. He is now 10 years old and he is already starting to represent common stereotypes concerning Black male athletes. As I search for answers, I find myself with the same question. Is it better to be emotional or emotionless?

Certainly, “wearing your heart on your sleeve” can get you into trouble. However, you may need that passion to drive you to the next level of life. Former NBA champions and all-stars such as Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce thrived and excelled while using their emotions. While, other elite and all-time great NBA players like Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan have succeeded while showing little emotion and having limited interactions with fans.

Now, I better understand that God has uniquely formed each and every one of us inside and out. I feel that one of the primary injustices in sports comes into play when White coaches, execs and owners force Black athletes to be silent. An example of my concern involves players from the National Football League being silenced or “blackballed” like Kaepernick when seeking to peacefully taking a knee during the National Anthem — to call attention to police brutality and racial injustice.

By Packy Baker