William Rhoden - Muhammad Ali and the Athlete as Role Model

[fotyz1]

Hey really interesting insights. If anyone would like to continue this conversation I have just written an article about William Rhoden's book and I am looking for people to comment on it so I could get your feedback. Unfortunately I am not allowed to put the the link up on youtube but I would just like to see if anyone is interested.

[fotyz1]

Hey really interesting insights. If anyone would like to continue this conversation I have just written an article on William Rhoden's book and I am looking for people to comment on it so I could get your feedback.

[Blues353]

It's fascinating that certain religious elements strongly object to any depictions of a supposed religious prophet, yet as a personal name it's just fine.

[TheBronxzfinest]

Yes, Muhammad Ali deserves praise for his stance against the Vietnam War. But that's beside the point. The panelist's tone is paternalistic, similar to his columns for the New York Times. We need journalists to reflect about the relationship between sports and race. But not Bill Rhoden. He oversimplifies complicated issues and is tendentious. As he himself suggests, he is a product of late 1960s black nationalism. The victimhood thesis lacks nuance and sophistication. The Times can do better.

[1879gym]

@TheBronxzfinest

My good man, on a positive note you sound like a thoughtful kind of man.

However, you just used a number of “50 cent words” that reflect more on your personal temperament of the author as opposed to the clip or the book. In fact it sounds spiteful and therefore easy to dismiss. Just an FYI

[TheBronxzfinest]

Thank you for the gentlemanly response, but in fact I did make a point about Rhoden's presentation. You, by contrast, focused on my choice of words. If you listen to the clip, you'll hear him admit that he's a product of late 1960s black nationalism. He sees race and sports through this lens and dismisses Michael Jordan for not having been radical. He wants black athletes to protest the system. Again, Rhoden writes as if the world is divided between evil and good and fails to see the gray.

[jamin121884]

Don't they call LeBron the new "Micheal Jordan" . . . . How can he own a "closet full of Michel Jordan shoes" and no one talks about him? . . . No one talks about the new "Larry Bird" . . . Brock isn't the new "Mohammad" . . . You where never a slave, how could you have a slave name? . . . A white man has no "Principal"? You can't look at Paton as a "Role model"? . . . How is this not racist?

[jamin121884]

If Jackie Robinson sucked at baseball, we wouldn't know him. If Ali, A.K.A Clay wasn't a world class fighter, we wouldn't know about him. I say "racist" I roast on the flames, but isn't this racist?

[jamin121884]

Jordan, the most well paid athlete in history, sans Tiger Woods, retired years ago. Oprah is the richest woman in American history. Chad Johnson, A.K.A Ochocinco . . . A Spanish name . . . Obama the most powerful man in the world. Many white men went to prison . . . PRISON . . . For not going to war in Viet Nam . . . But the man keeping the man down. Yeah, ok . . . Sure . . .

[aimeehenselrk76]

huhmy cam is running abd i am really bored with all that stuff

[grandmachristine42]

Ali was/is a role model for plenty of whites too. Can you imagine how mad that made the racist whites? tee hee

[MrYahoost]

James I respect your passion and pride, its awesome. I am from direct italian descent so my family nor I are oppresors. There are many intelligent white and black people who should be praised. Excuses shouldn't be made for either doing wrong.Oppression is awful but YOU never went through it and you benefit from those who were wrongfully treated.Racism exists unfortunately between all races but don't dwell on it because it will only bring it more into light.

[MrYahoost]

This guy came to my school and proposed black athletes as million dollar slaves. Why white athletes aren't paid? He mentions "witch-hunts" on Vick, Bonds and Pacman. being arrested 6 times isn't a witch-hunt, Vick confessed and Clemens was treated just like Bonds was. Stop making everything a racial thing to spark controversy and make money.

[jamesdammit]

Blacks are the dominant racial make up of most sports (except hockey and swimming) However those blacks don't coment on what goes on in their communities. Whites who came via Ellis Island understand some racism but most of the others are decendants of OPRESSORS many of whom profitted for centuries off of Slave labor. Mass to Georgia still have profits from slave labor Slavery Existed for nearly 400 years and Built most of DC historic landmarks and the New York Stock Exchange. FOR FREE.

[daddydon48]

Role model for what, DRAFT DODGER'S? COWARDS?? That asshole pretended to be a freaking Muslim because he was afraid to go to Viet Nam! COWARD!! You might as well say that FREAK Michael Jackson was a role model for bleaching his sorry ass trying to be white! Ali wasn't a man, he was a disgrace to his race, role model my ass!

[deafro1001]

blacks were discriminated and hurt about being sent into a war by a country that never fought for equal rights, Muhammad Ali was the perfect role model. He is an ambassador to afr-amer. greatly repsected.willing to sacrifice everything for his beliefs.didn't even need to go to Vietnam. He just had to do basic, but it violated his principle. Rhoden makes a big point in this speech and people need to try hard and UNDERSTAND it, even though they may not agree with it, especially his take on Jordan.

[jamesdammit]

You need to stop fucking your sister and get out of the trailer park you dumb idiot. Ali said no Viacong ever called him Nigger and I'm sure your type did. Ali lost millions based on his principles. Some so called patriotic people of all colors think everything america or their respective goverment does is right and ALI had the courage to say NO.

[triofdoom]

@daddydon48

I know where your coming from, I am black and have relatives that fought in WWI and WWII and Vietnam, but the thing is that they did this and came back to a country that considered them second class citizens and didn't even protect their rights as a citizen. SO WHAT IF HE DODGE THE DRAFT, why should he fight for a country that hates him and won't give him his rights.

Be angry at the illegal immigrants who haven't served in this country and get all the rights think about it!

[armando123abc1]

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