No Country for Black men
by Mario Bonas
There is a scene in Spike Lee’s Do the Right thing, where Sal, an American-Italian pizzeria owner played by Danny Aeillo, is accused by the younger blacks in their Brooklyn neighbourhood of not including African-Americans on his wall of famous Italian-American people. The film’s theme based on simmering racial tensions builds to a boiling point when Buggin’ Out played by famous actor Giancarlo Esposito and Raheem played by the late Bill Nunn march into the pizzeria located in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, on the hottest day of the summer. Fueled by the fermenting rage of perceived oppression in their predominately African American community they demand that Sal put some “mother f—kin’ pictures on the wall!” (of some Black people). Raheem, creatively known as Radio Raheem blares, Public Enemy’s Fight the Power, recognized as the leitmotif to the film, on his massive boom-box. Shouting over the suitably defiant but rhythmic peal of the music, Esposito’s character Buggin’ Out barks, “We’re closing you down for good! Until you get some black people on that wall of fame!” With spit flying and veins engorged on their faces an argument ensues capturing the attention of the young black patrons in the restaurant and passersby. Raheem stands beside Buggin’ Out menacingly as his squire, daring Sal to turn down his radio. Tempers explode and finally Sal shouts “I will tear your n____r ass!” before repeatedly striking and destroying Raheem’s precious radio with a baseball bat. Still considered one of the most intense scenes in modern movie history, it compares in significant respects to the visceral reactions held by many blacks towards the NFL today.
Fast forward to 2020 from 1989 when that film debuted and the sentiments depicted in this film still resonate today. Stephen A. Smith American sports commentator and television personality on ESPN’s First Take has spoken vociferously about his disdain for the NFL’s brass hiring policies and the continued culture of the exclusion of black coaches to the ranks of head coach. Regardless of the fact that Stephen A. isn’t accompanied by a booming soundtrack the similarities are clear. He wants some mother f---kin' black people on the coaching wall of fame! Okay. Let’s provide some context for a minute. America has a long history of segregation and racial intolerance. The Shield has mirrored these widely held beliefs from its inception and arguably to modern times. Founded in the 1920s after mergers with its rival AFL it became known as the National Football league in 1970. However before negotiating with their strongest rival the AFL, the NFL known originally as the (American Professional Football Association) APFA struggled to attract fans who preferred America’s favorite pass time, baseball and college football. It wasn’t until after World War II that potential outside buyers frustrated with being denied opportunities to become owners within the NFL’s fraternal monopoly formed the American Football league. Bitter rivalry that saw owners from both leagues (NFL & AFL) attempting to lure players away from each other and fierce bidding for college draftees the leagues merged forming the NFL.
The merger however, did not impact the inclusion practices of the league. From the 1920s to the 50s the numbers of minority players fluctuated wildly. The AFL has been more accommodating with minorities and averaged more black players than their more diversity reluctant NFL counterparts. As a form of comparison the team picture of the championship teams in 1969 between the AFL Chiefs and the NFL Vikings, saw half of the Chiefs roster comprised of black players as opposed to a handful on the Vikings. Despite the participation of some minorities including African, Asian and some Native Americans - who gained notoriety in the 1920s with a native team called the Oorang Indians, integration remained painstakingly slow. The league relented only to government pressure and a fear of minority influenced competitive advantages before segregationist policies and attitudes subsided. As far as blacks in managerial roles, besides the great Fitz Pollard in 1921 black players didn’t see the heights of head coaching until the late 1970s.
Let’s skip back to Stephen A. Smith’s comments. On his program The Steven A. Smith Show he argued, “We got a league with 70% black players! We now have two black coaches!? There’s 32 jobs. Two?? Two?! Anthony Lynn and Mike Tomlin?” Smith, known as ESPN’s star provocateur is the voice of sports media and a giant among sports commentators. As a mainstay among bear-pit sports debates from the broadcast booths to the barber shops he is well known for his provocative analysis and controversial rants. Like most of Stephen A. Smith’s rhetoric it is hard to decipher real sentiment from hyperbole. But in this case are his assertions correct? Is racism to blame for the NFL currently showcasing only two African American head coaches, in Anthony Lynn (San Diego Chargers) and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)? Maybe.
The book written by author N. Jeremi Duru called, Advancing the Ball, was the driving force that helped transform the National Football league that comparatively lagged behind other professional sports in equal opportunity matters and helped them become a leader in terms of racial politics. Duru and his partners spearheaded an idea that was first adopted by white Pittsburgh Steeler owner Dan Rooney and then the rest of the NFL. Coined fittingly, The Rooney Rule, established in 2002 by the NFL it was designed to insist that prospective teams interview one minority candidate before hiring their desired candidate. Since its inception this affirmative action strategy has had little to no affect on the hiring practices of privately owned teams in the NFL. In fact, since the year the rule was implemented the same amount of black coaches held a head coaching spot as today, two.
Duru discusses the overwhelming participation of black players in the NFL totalling approximately 70 percent of all players, who are lead by white coaches. He surmises that old suppositions dating back to slavery have arguably informed stereotypes of African-American inferiority that would disqualify them from cerebral functions like decision making, personnel managing and play calling. Also the culture of exclusive clubs a.k.a the “old boy’s clubs” and networks consisting of friends and friends of friends kept black suitors out of consideration. As I mentioned before the Rooney Rule screams affirmative action. While I applaud the spirit of this policy and its attempt to jump start integration and racial equality it can bring harm to its intended beneficiaries. This was evidenced by the Detroit Lions when then general manager Matt Millen was fined $200, 000 for breaking the Rooney Rule by conducting sham interviews with potential African American coaches to circumvent the rule to hire Steve Mariucci. Also, football is a complex game that relies heavily on team work and chemistry like no other. A coaching staff that is comprised of a member who was ushered through the ranks based on some preferential scheme of dispensation can breed resentment amongst the staff despite their own secret handshakes, winks and nods that qualified them. The very idea of a program providing an opportunity for the marginalized and leveling the playing field may conversely reinforce the very ideas, values and beliefs they set out to change. It may further embed the idea that minorities aspiring for higher stations in life are in need of special help for reasons inherent to them.
NFL owners and executive directors have often been accused of behaving much like plantation owners did back in the days of slavery. And while the cries of injustice increase it has been difficult to prove clear cut cases of discrimination based on race. Shout out to Colin Kapearnick. In defiance of all the criticisms levied against the suspicious practices of the NFL and its wealthy owners it causes one to remember that out of the top 25 players in the NFL last year with multi-million dollar contacts, eight of them were African American. And since Fritz Pollard in 1921 there have been 25 minority coaches who have occupied the title of head coach in the NFL. Currently there are two people of color among the principal owners of the NFL's 32 teams. Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, who is Pakistani American, and Kim Pegula, who is Asian American and co-owns the Buffalo Bills. Compared to the NBA which has 80% of its players represented by African-Americans they are led by only 8 head coaches of color.
We often fall to the trappings of measuring the disparity between blacks and whites. This is corroborated by the current controversy of the over representation of white coaches over black. Our fixation on the negative statistics makes it easy to ignore other positive markers of well being. There is a rising tide of progress in all facets of black participation in black athletics. Simply put there has been tremendous progress since the days of the Oorang Indians and the Toledo Maroons. The grassroots networks of coaches is swelling with diverse leadership and they can only be inspired by the success of black coaches like Tony Dungy, Art Shell and Mike Tomlin who have paved the way. In light of all the seemingly intentional maneuvers that precariously sideline many black candidates worthy of the nod it will take joint efforts from adversaries on both sides of the debate. Without question the goal of preventing biased decision-making from unjustly blocking opportunities is an understandable one. Much has been done and can be done. But the true work rests on how it is done as it can be beneficial or detrimental. Change will always happen the way it always has, not only by one metric of adjustment where; we take from one group and give to another or pressure through levies and fines or activism that leads to diversification of the decision makers. The best results will be achieved by a combination of all of these measures to which history will offer a convincing example. Change is often very slow and we must execute it with intention rather than with impulse and old habits.
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