On the March 29th episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the All American Basketball Alliance out of Atlanta, Georgia was profiled by Jason Jones. Everyone hold on- we’ve reverted to the 1950s! Don “Moose” Lewis has created a basketball league for whites only. Moose calls this the “alternative brand to the NBA.” To play or coach in the Alliance, you must be Caucasian, your parents must be Caucasian (because you never know- your parents could be a totally different race from you) and your parents must have been born in the United States. Moose wants to bring back what was lost: “White fundamental basketball just got left behind.” What are the “fundamentals” that got left behind? Moose includes dribbling skills, shooting skills, passing skills, and the use of a playbook as things that have been left behind.
Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am a fan of basketball and I’ve gone to see the Grizzlies play multiple times. I’m pretty positive that the NBA still employs dribbling, shooting, and passing in the game. When asked by Jason Jones why he thought no one had thought of this already (after integration) Moose said “I’m not a genius. I’m just speaking for the silent, white, middle America. I’m not here to please everyone.”
He also said that it wasn’t fair to call him a racist. “I was a child of integration” he said, “forced integration by the government. “ Several of his friends were removed from the basketball team in his high school to make room for black players. “You want to talk about racism? I’ve lived racism.”
Is anyone else appalled? Obviously the Daily Show was making fun of Moose Lewis, but it still shows just how blatant racism is in some parts of the country. I feel that the fundamental elements of oppression are apparent in the story as well. Moose Lewis believes that his white friends were oppressed by black players when he was in high school- a gross error considering just how much privilege Moose has as a white male. He’s basically whining because he thinks that “blacks are better athletes when it comes to basketball.” Moose is completely oblivious to the structures of oppression that are already in place oppressing African Americans and he has effectively added to that structure by creating this all white basketball league. I wonder how successful this basketball league will be. How many Americans out there also genuinely believe that basketball has been taken over by black players? I think this is completely ridiculous and awful. Furthermore, I think it would be safe to call Moose sexist as well since he hasn’t provided an alternative to the WNBA as well- only white men are allowed in the alliance. I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts on this league and I have included the link if you want to watch the episode.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-march-29-2010-ben-stiller
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ReplyDeletesorry forget that last sentence. However you can't say that this isn't reverse discrimination, the reason for the WNBA isn't to fight oppression or because the NBA dosn't let them in, or that there is a stigma against women players it's to let women play pro basketball because they can't compete with the men, It is hard to play against people who are an average of a foot taller than you
ReplyDeleteDosn't the WNBA do the same thing? Men are not allowed to play in that league. Men are better athletes in the game, but they are taken out to make room for women. isn't that similar?
ReplyDeleteDosn't the WNBA do the same thing? Men are not allowed to play in that league. Men are better athletes in the game, but they are taken out to make room for women.
ReplyDeleteI can safely say that I will never watch this league and hopefully it flops. Nothing sounds more boring than what Lewis calls "white" basketball, and it also reinforces stereotypes and systems of oppression, as Liz noted, that there are two different forms of basketball: white and black. I don't think this is the case even though it doesn't seem like white people aren't as visible in basketball anymore, that should not even be an issue, as I would want to see the best people play, no matter race, culture, etc. Jones is a very selfish and bigoted man to see basketball as something to be "reclaimed" for white people.
ReplyDeleteUh first off, wow. I would have never thought that anyone would try to "reclaim" a sport for a particular race. This man is obviously racist and what's worse is that he apparently doesn't realize it. He believes that white players in his high school were kicked off the team to make room for the black players. Not once does he consider that maybe the black players were better than the white players that they replaced. He also makes it seem like there aren't any white people who play basketball anymore and that somehow the fundamental rules of basketball have changed. I think the "rule" Moose want to enforce is the "whites only" rule.
ReplyDeleteTo Jared: I don't think I follow your argument about the WNBA and the NBA. How is it unfair for the WNBA not to let men play when the whole reason the WNBA was formed was because there were talented women basketball players who couldn't play in the NBA league?
ReplyDeleteTo Rhianna. There are no rules barring women from playing in the NBA. If they are good enough they can compete. However they usually suck comparatively. Given men in general have a height strength and speed advantage, it isn't surprising. a 6 foot woman wont be able to dunk on a 7 foot man. I guarantee you can take the worst Division 1 men's NCAA team and they will beat the best woman's team.
ReplyDeleteMy point was that since women can play in the NBA they just aren't good enough too isn't it similar to white people who usually aren't good enough to be in the NBA. If a woman works hard enough and has the right genese they can make the NBA. So i really don't see how the situation is different