Further Thoughts On My Racial Tension Column

Why did I write it?

Racism is a combustible topic best left to those prepared to retreat to a bunker for an extended time period.

Although a good columnist should stir the pot, it's not an intentional thing just to revel in tumult and dissent. It's because good columnists are not afraid to talk about sensitive subjects.

High school sports are unique in that they present more of an ethical quandary than their college and professional counterparts. If Larry Fitzgerald drops a touchdown in the Super Bowl, of course you mention it in print. But what about a high schooler? They're not paid to play and don't expect that kind of negative attention in the media.

Racial tension, however, doesn't shame any individual. Writing about it isn't supposed to, anyway.

I knew I'd get some negative feedback, so I thought about it for a few days, but I believe racial tension exists. It's one man's opinion, but I've overheard it at games, read it on our forums and heard it with some of the phone calls I've received. There's a racial undertone to our sports here in the Four Corners that at times gets out of control with a small minority. Even that minority keeps it to themselves most of the time and offers an occasional but subtle hint.

Still, it bothers me. I grew up working hard labor jobs with a variety of people and socioeconomic backgrounds. My Facebook account lists friends of too many races to count on both hands. I listen to hip hop music, eat all kinds of food, and yes, to clear up something, my girlfriend is a true Mexican, born and raised there. Some of my close friends from playing basketball and running track are black.

We also included a Cajun, a Yank and an Indian (from the country) in our inner circle.

More and more, we're splintered as immigrants continue to pursue happiness within our democracy. Like it or not, we're a nation founded on diversity.

And sports, to me, is one of the great unifiers of our nation. You don't have to be rich or poor, white, brown, black, smart, dumb, tall, short, male, female or otherwise to enjoy them and root for a team or participate.

Not that we have to avoid issues of substance when discussing sports, but to me, there's plenty of negative news. The economy is terrible. The two major political parties can't get along. A university professor just shot six of her co-workers when she was denied tenure.

Why not have something we can enjoy at a competitive level that ends with us shaking hands, even if we're shaking our heads?

When I drove a forklift as a second job during the summer of 2005, the men used to go to the break room maybe 15 minutes a night. Many of them worked 80 hours a week for more than a decade. Not much time remained to relax and recoup. The one thing we all enjoyed, despite our different backgrounds, was discussing the day's sports page.

A year later, logging 12-hour days as a professional mover during the sweltering humidity of the Deep South, we'd catch a peek of the NBA Finals on TV after we'd set up the electronics at the new house or we'd catch a few innings of a baseball game during a 30-minute lunch break.

There are pockets in our community that I feel turn this opportunity to cross cultural boundaries into a way to deepen them, even if it's a covert attitude. That bothers me, and I've never been one to shy away from something or worry about the repercussions. If I think something's right, I'll value that more than what others may think of me.

That's my opinion. I welcome yours. We should talk about it.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher