Article pointing finger at Racist Referees

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So you'd have no problem with picking only white officials then, to the exclusion of black officials, if the players on both teams are white?

That already happens. Why would I have a problem with this situation?

For the record that very thing happened to me personally in a conference I no longer work. Every game my crew had with this particular conference, we almost always worked this one school that had a Black coach, players and fans. It ended up causing a conflict because we could not get away from this particular school. When we were assigned two all white school and communities (well they had one African-American player between them) we were shocked. I soon stopped wanted to work that conference.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Cameron, I have worked several games with an all-Black crew. It is amazing in this day and age the amount of comments good and bad that were made about it.

What would the context of a good comment be with regard to the fact that the crew was all-anything?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

What would the context of a good comment be with regard to the fact that the crew was all-anything?

"We have never had an all-Black crew before."

"Are you all from here?"

"You guys must be from Chicago" (none of us were)

"Brothas going to help us out tonight."

I could give more examples, but this is a family show and based on how offended people tend to get, I will keep the rest to myself.

Peace

[26 Year Gap]

In a perfect world, there would be a pro-portionate number of officials to match the area. So, ideally, roughly half the officials should be female. And the racial demographics of the general population should be matched by those who choose to officiate sporting events. If things are out of pro-portion, then maybe a concerted recruiting effort should take place to put things more in balance. After all, if the pool of officials matches the general populace, then making things balanced should be a piece of cake.

I have just moved to an area with a county population of over 900,000. About 3/4 of the 80 member officials attended the meeting I went to last week. The demographics from the Census Bureau did not reflect the mix in the meeting. And it doesn't really matter to me. I will have opportunities to work with a lot of new folks--black and white--here. I am looking forward to it. I think I can learn from all of them. I don't care if my partner is black or white, male or female. And I don't care what race the coaches or players are, either. I just want to improve.

I just came from one of the whitest states in the country. A local high school there won the state championship and there was an equal number of black & white players on the team. During AAU season leagues I heard questions about why there might be so many black girls on the team. From other officials. I never really thought about it because they are all teammates and get along great on and off the court. Were the questioners biased? I don't believe so. I think they were just surprised because of the state's demographics that it could occur anyplace other than Burlington which is the largest city. Most of the officials are impressed with how well the team works together and the JV team is the same way and they have won 40 straight. And it is because they play good basketball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Then you're more blind than I ever imagined.

Or we do not look through the same prism of life. And if we did, you would come out and say what he said, instead of just implying it was said. It is clear I will say what is on my mind.

Peace

[Nevadaref]

"The Moats family, who are black, said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.
"I think he should lose his job," Ryan Moats said."

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Police officer delays Ryan Moats of Houston Texans in hospital parking lot as family member dies - ESPN

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So you'd have no problem with picking only white officials then, to the exclusion of black officials, if the players on both teams are white?

That already happens.

[Jesse James]

Originally Posted by jeffpea

I would be willing to guess (I said "guess" not "wager" or "bet"...that's illegal - right Mr. Donaghy?)...that the author of this article was cheering for the team that lost.....

I am continually amazed at the degree to which emotional involvement (wanting one particular team to win) clouds the vision of and impairs the rational thinking by people watching a sporting event. If those who criticize the game officials are truly honest - I bet 90% of the time they would admit to wanting one team to win (and of course the "other" team won and thereby the impetus to criticize the officials...)

The writer of the diatribe probably was cheering. He failed to mention in the article that he's the father of Fort Wayne Wayne's point guard.

But I'm certain he's completely unbiased.

[love2refbball]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

"The Moats family, who are black, said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.
"I think he should lose his job," Ryan Moats said."

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Police officer delays Ryan Moats of Houston Texans in hospital parking lot as family member dies - ESPN

IMO - If people think that race DIDN'T play a part in this, they are VERY naive.

[BBall_Junkie]

Originally Posted by Jesse James

The writer of the diatribe probably was cheering. He failed to mention in the article that he's the father of Fort Wayne Wayne's point guard.

But I'm certain he's completely unbiased.

And as the late, great Paul Harvey would say... "Now (we) know the rest of the story."

[Berkut]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

And Jeff is right that the best way to avoid the appearance would be to work to actively move the best refs of color up to the various levels in all associations and in all areas. (I'd say the same thing for female refs, but that's another subject).

So the best way to avoid the appearance of racism is to engage is some ourselves?

An interesting theory.

How about we just move the best refs up, and ignore their "race" entirely?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Jesse James

The writer of the diatribe probably was cheering. He failed to mention in the article that he's the father of Fort Wayne Wayne's point guard.

But I'm certain he's completely unbiased.

If true, he's an even bigger piece of work than he already is.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Berkut

So the best way to avoid the appearance of racism is to engage is some ourselves?

An interesting theory.

How about we just move the best refs up, and ignore their "race" entirely?

What do we do with ones who already moved up who shouldn't have?

[Berkut]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

That already happens.

He didn't ask if it happens, he asked if it was acceptable.

[Berkut]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

"The Moats family, who are black, said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.
"I think he should lose his job," Ryan Moats said."

-----------

Police officer delays Ryan Moats of Houston Texans in hospital parking lot as family member dies - ESPN

If the officer should lose his job, it should be because he is incompetent.

Whether he was incompetent because he is a racist, or incompetent while not being racist is both immaterial and almost impossible to ascertain.

But that race card is just too enticing to leave it unplayed.