The one word I'm talking about concerns the shed-to-light story this past week involving the Chicago-based Little League team, Jackie Robinson West and the Little League International decision to strip them from their U.S. title from the 2014 Little League World Series.
 |
| Racism....a word Robinson knew far better than anyone today |
"This decision's untimely and inappropriate at this time. It should not take six months after a team has played a championship game to determine eligibility to play the game in the first place," Jackson said.
Jackie Robinson West had its title taken away when it was discovered that players in its lineup lived outside the team's geographic boundaries. The decision came after teams the Chicago squad defeated in the Little League World Series complained.
"When you're going over to voter registration and going to birth certificates and doing all this time of hunting and a witch hunt that's been going on for the last number of months," The Rev. Michael Pfleger, a Chicago pastor, said.
"I can't help but wonder the question if the same thing would have been done with another team from another place, another race," Pfleger told CBS News.
The Chicago-based rapper Twista also raised claims of racism, telling TMZ. "I'm outraged. You don't see this extensive of an investigation happen unless it happens to black people."
Really? Alright, let me ask a question then. The managers, League President and most of the players from Jackie Robinson West knew what they were doing was illegal. How could you not?. And even more so, how could you have played the entire league year with players who were ineligible and not had an ounce of conscience. Your decisions are your consequences. Most players know the boundaries.....all managers most certainly do and there is no excuse for a League President not verifying eligibility. The state, regional and national committee's also did a poor job of checking eligibility requirements
I've been a part of Little Leagues before as a coach and board member, both in around the Des Moines, Iowa suburbs. I know what's done to assure each all-star meets the requirements that Little League International sets. If we had a player that lived outside the boundaries, they could participate in league play, but were ineligible for all-star competition. There should be no argument from Jackie Robinson West. Sadly, they got caught. And because of the actions of some adults (and I use that word loosely) the Jackie Robinson West players will be associated with tarnished images for the rest of their lives. All for what? All for what........Let's see what words fly when the league is asked to return the nearly $200,000 in contributions.
"When you make a donation to a charity, that's a completed gift. You don't have any rights to manage the charity or do anything else," said Jack Siegel, a Chicago lawyer who monitors charities and sits on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance board. "You're probably not going to get your money back, but never say 'never.'"
Another Chicago source felt the League might receive additional financial support because of the media attention. Perhaps those dollars can help rid the league of the unsavory people being replaced (managers and directors).
Through this past week, there have been several times I've thought...."what about Jackie Robinson, the name they're associated with". What about him?
Jackie Robinson made so many things possible for athletes – and - especially the dreams of African American athletes – but he also was a giant figure for those of us who wanted to research, teach and frame the steps to equality in America.
Perhaps Jackie Robinson West forgot who they were representing. Because from where I sit. Racism is one of the last words I reach for. I was thinking. Stupid. Yeah, Stupid. S-T-U-P-I-D.
Thanks for reading,
No comments:
Post a Comment