The “hoodie”
reference rekindles memories of a hooded black teenager holding a bag of
skittles and ice tea, while walking in his father’s gated neighborhood. He was killed that night. It’s too soon to cite
an example connecting hoodies, black youth and fear.
Trayvon
Martin’s death exposed the power of perception.
Cuban’s honest analysis reminds us of how prejudices lead to dangerous
outcomes. Be it walking across the
street, refusing to hire a person, or shooting a person due to fear, first
impressions go a long way toward determining what happens next.
Cuban claims bigotry
is something we all carry. He admits it
shows up in his life and among people working for him. Rather than fire them, Cuban sends them off
for diversity training. He gives them a
chance to learn from their mistakes. He
says it’s best to teach lesson versus kicking the can down the road.
Cuban’s comments
reflect the knotty nature related to dealing with bigotry in the
workplace. Given bigotry is deeply
engrained in human nature, what’s the big deal? That’s Cuban’s position.
“I also try
not to be a hypocrite. I know I’m prejudiced. I know I’m bigoted in a lot of
different ways,” Cuban said. “I’ve said this before. If I see a black kid in a
hoodie at night on the same side of the street, I’m probably going to walk to
other side of the street. If I see a white guy with a shaved head and lots of
tattoos, I’m going back to the other side of the street. If I see anybody that
looks threatening, and I try not to, but part of me takes into account race and
gender and image. I’m prejudiced. Other than for safety issues, I try to always
catch my prejudices and be very self-aware.”
Is Cuban
correct to assert that we all have prejudices impacting our daily decisions? If
so, who is liable for the pigeonholes formed to keep people at a distant?
ESPN
commentator Stephen A. Smith said those criticizing Mark needed to "grow
up."
"I took
no issue whatsoever with what Mark Cuban said," Smith said on ESPN’s First
Take on Thursday. "He happens to be correct."
“I’m sorry, I
don’t see a problem with that whatsoever. I don’t think there’s any ethnic
group in America that should take issue with it as a personal affront to them
as if he was isolating them or talking about them. He was simply being honest,
forthcoming and very open about some of the fears and prejudices that he may
have.”
Cuban is just
being honest. He helps us by sharing his
personal views. Is it that simple? Is Smith right in granting Cuban a pass after
using hoodie to reference his own bigotry?
What is
implied in our granting space for a person to admit they are bigoted in a lot
of different ways, and that all of us are confronted with the same? Should we embrace our bigotry as a reflection
of our humanity, and blame others for fueling our bigoted ways.
If I have prejudices
against black boys wearing hoodies, it’s up to those boys to stop wearing
hoodies. Is that the answer to all forms
of bigotry? Rather than exposing bigotry
for its evil consequences, are we to assume it as normative, and attack those
who bring our prejudices to the forefront?
Smith argues a
practical approach to confronting bigotry and prejudice. He wants black boys to pull up their pants
and put on a suit and tie. He embraces
Cuban’s position as real talk about how black people need to take
responsibility for how they are perceived by others. Bigotry and prejudice, in the mind of Smith,
is the responsibility of the individual to overcome.
There’s truth
to Smith’s claim. It is up to the
individual to create distance from those fixated in a culture that correlates
dress with behavior. Smith’s call for
personal responsibility challenges youth to dress in a way that helps ease the
apprehension of those carrying prejudices?
“It is about
how you present yourself,” Smith said on Friday’s broadcast of First Take. I’m
trying to educate you on the minefield that you face.”
Smith claims
black people are too busy pointing the finger of blame while not taking
responsibility for what it takes to be a success. He says Cuban is correct to
draw attention to his prejudices and bigotry around black boys wearing hoodies.
Smith’s position
may be correct, but it offers space for people to remain comfortable with their
bigotry. If we all have prejudices, and
that may be true, it is up to others to make concessions. Bigotry is not about a system of thought
rooted in misconceptions about a group of people. It’s about the failure of that group to
capitulate to the demands of those with the power to open doors to success.
Cuban offers
an explanation for the existence of the bigotry of people like Donald Sterling,
owner of the LA Clippers. All of us have
issues with bigotry and prejudice.
Sterling is no different than the rest of us.
Really?
The
conclusion is simple. Since all of us
have issues, deal with your own rather than throwing stones.
To that Smith
offers a recommendation to black youth.
It’s your fault for failing to make the necessary adjustments.
Conclusion:
bigotry is your fault.
