Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Quote:
Originally posted by blindzebra
Rut, that cuts both ways. I'm white and there have been many times where I have been the only white person involved in the game, and other times because of the area I live, that I've officiated all African-American teams versus all white or Mexican-American teams.
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How many games do you work where you are the "only one" in the gym? If I decided to only work games where all the coaches, players and fans were of the same color, I would probably not work one game during the season. I am almost always the "only one" in the gym. It is extremely rare that I will ever work a game where everyone is of my race and color. So please do not tell me it cuts both ways. I live in a metropolitan area and I get tired of having to work the Black school vs. the white school games in certain conferences just because I am an African-American. I know many white officials that never see an all-Black team. Do not get me wrong, many times those Black players are some of the most talented in the area. I just do not like that I have to work those schools just because of the color of my skin.
Quote:
Originally posted by blindzebra
My high school partner is African-American and last year we were working a tournament game at a local Air Force base. This is one of the times where I was the only white person.
I had a call, went to report it and as I was moving back into position there comes a whistle from my partner. He had just T'd a player for suggesting my calls were being made for a "reason".
We are a team out there, and if having my partner's back means having to explain something to an assignor or a coach, so be it, but I'm not going to just adjust my calls to handle the kid, hoping he gets the message. The player will get the message, and then we will move on with the game.
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Well all that is wonderful. And when you guys work your games you can handle those situations anyway you like. I never told you how to handle your games or what to call. I answered Dan's question to what I would do. When I am working and those situations are raised, I handle them the way I suggested and it works for me. Like Juulie says, I do not know the area you live. But around here, race is a constant backdrop to the games that are played. It is a constant topic of conversation with officials (in all the sports I work). It is something that we have to deal with regularly. If I T'd up every suggestion of a "reason" based on race, I would have more Ts called than the games I have worked in all my years I have been officiating.
Peace
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So when I have to deal with the same issues as you do, it's not the same, just because I'm white? That could not be more wrong.
If there are all African-American players on the floor and I'm working with an African-American partner, two things are certain.
One: It is assumed that I've never played the game, I don't understand the game, or the players.
Two: If the game is being lost and I have a call, it's because I'm a racist.
Now those things don't come up EVERY game, but they have come up many times over the years. In those games I have to prove myself every game, for one reason and one reason only, because of the color of my skin.
It most definitely cuts both ways.