Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry has come in for criticism based on his observation that his team isn't as fast as some of his opponents, and that this may be the case because he doesn't have as many black kids on his team. Michael Wilbon responds in a Washington Post column that this entirely reasonable observation doesn't justify the outrage that has been directed at DeBerry by the PC police:
He has received a reprimand from the academy, in fact, for saying it seemed to him that African American players run very, very well. DeBerry was quick to add, almost seamlessly, that he would be open to having players of any race who are faster than his kids, but that black kids appeared to be faster.Then all hell broke loose, and by Wednesday the coach was fighting back tears and saying, "I want everyone to understand that I never intended to offend anyone."
DeBerry has nothing whatsoever to apologize for...
...our fear of any discussion involving race should not eliminate common-sense observations. Since Jason Sehorn retired from the NFL a season or so ago, how many white starting cornerbacks are there in the NFL? The answer, as far as I can find, is zero. And even if I missed one or two, fact is that a position based largely on speed is 99 percent black in the NFL. That's not the same as making a presumption about the intelligence or character of cornerbacks, black or white. It's fact, jack. DeBerry didn't offer any cultural or empirical evidence about cornerbacks; he just said he would like faster ones, and as the NFL demonstrates, the fastest ones are black. That isn't even debatable.
I've heard some black dissent, but mostly I hear objection being raised by white administrators and media colleagues, a sort of misplaced white liberal guilt, if you ask me...
...DeBerry didn't insult any race or ethnic group. He offended some folks who confuse politically incorrect public speaking with bigotry.
Wilbon also rejects as misplaced Hank Aaron's criticism of the Houston Astros for not having any black American starters on their World Series team, by pointing out how American blacks have simply gravitated, by choice, to basketball and football in recent years. In other words, it's a problem of supply rather than one of demand.
Wilbon stops short of making a similar supply-versus-demand argument regarding the lack of black football players at Air Force, but it would be just as valid. The pool of black student-athletes qualified to enter our elite colleges and universities is limited, and the competition among those top schools to identify, recruit and enroll them is fierce. DeBerry's statements indicate a sincere interest in welcoming more blacks into his football program. But unfortunately, demand for such students continues to outstrip supply.
(via Galley Slaves)
Posted by dan at November 1, 2005 10:10 AM