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| Monday, May 21 Updated: May 22, 12:49 PM ET Should race be a factor when choosing a college? ESPN.com |
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Kellen's advice to his son was the correct (and smart) one. I know that most whites (and a few misguided blacks) will whine and pontificate about "reverse discrimination," a clever, but nonetheless intellectually dishonest argument. Whites have nothing to lose by trotting out such Orwellian concepts. Such empty platitudes allow whites to perpetuate the "plantation" structure evident in the racial composition of college and pro sports. "Reverse discrimination?" What a crock. How many white athletes would attend Grambling University, or Mississippi Valley State (a college that has produced some of the most proficient wide receivers in college and pro history)? I cannot think of a single white parent who would not advise his/her son against attending a black college football program. The only difference is that they would lie about it, or cast their objections in code. The article you wrote is a prime example of this kind of coded message. For white folks, keeping company only with one another is simply being with those with whom you feel "comfortable;" the "old boy network," etc., etc. Kellen Winslow is being pilloried by some for his honesty. He had the guts to talk straight to his son about race in America, and what it means to be an expendable black commodity in a lily white world.
But, since this is racist America what else is new?
Jennifer Bell Sacramento
Kellen Winslow, Sr. made a very distinct point this week when he persuaded his son to choose the University of Miami over the Univeristy of Washington. Was it the right decision for his son? Was it the right decision for blacks (and other minorities, for that matter) in America? Does this narrow or widen the gap in racial relations in America? These are the real questions at hand. Yes, there is a shortage of black football coaches at the college level (as well as the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc), and that problem has to be addressed. But the Winslow's have crossed a line in the reasoning of their decision. Mark Faust Danville, Ohio
Discrimination based on skin color is simply wrong, no matter which side of the fence you stand on. Fighting racism with racism is a flawed concept. Racist attitudes by blacks or whites will only perpetuate racist attitudes by the other. Edmond Dantes New York
So Mr. Winslow wants his son to play for "his race." Isn't there only one race anyway, the human race? This kind of thinking is smart. Encourage the black athletes to go to a college with black head coaches. After that, white athletes will go to play for white coaches. Imagine the race war then. No, it seems to me instead of Mr. Winslow wanting the best for his son, he just wants to make attention, or else he is really a racist. But of course that is stupid, because there is only one race anyway. Ricky Ross McEwen, Tenn.
It is a truly unbelievable statement to make that race should be an issue when a high school senior is choosing which college he would like to play. Imagine a couple of years ago if Chris Simms (a white quarterback) had said he didn't want to go play for Stanford because coach Tyrone Willingham is black, stating that we wanted to play for a coach who is more likely to "understand" him. He would have been branded a racist and would have certainly alientated future African-American teammates wherever he played. I find it very unsettling that there are some out there who applaud Winslow for "doing the right thing." I always thought that minorities fought for the day that choices would not be based on race. Dan Szakallas New York
What a classic case of reverse discrimination. If a white player's dad would tell his son that a college football program had too many black coaches, do you realize what would be said? But because it's a black man saying it about white coaches, it's all right, and we must take these allegations seriously. What a farce. Racists like Kellen Winslow would be shocked at how much further race relations would move in the right direction, if they'd quit making race an issue in every decision they make. They are the ones who need to look past skin color. Kelly Schroeder Columbus, Neb.
One would hope that we would not have to consider such factors as race in this day and age. Unfortunately, race continues to be a factor. I would like for the world to be color blind. It is not, and we must continue to live with it. Kellen Wnslow grew up in a different world than his son. Kellen Sr. grew up in East St. Louis, if I am correct, while Kellen Jr. grew up in an upper-middle-class suburb of San Diego. The divisions, while less obvious, still exist. Kellen Sr. should be praised as a parent for helping his son to understand what the world is, as well as what we hope it will become. Marcus Greene San Diego
Why are we not asking why there are so few Asian, Latino, Eastern European or Hispanic coaches? Are we merely making the assumption that because there are black players, they all wind up pursuing head coaching jobs? The number of African-American coaches in the NFL (three) is slightly less than 10 percent, which is very much in keeping with the overall population of African-Americans in the U.S., which I believe is about 12 percent. To simply state the number of black coaches and conclude that there is an inherent problem is to abuse statistics and oversimplify the issue. Kerry Cox Kokomo, Ind.
I think that many white people fail to understand anything about these race issues because they have tunnel vision that permit them to only see through their eyes alone and not the person's next to them. Since you say there is reverse racism done by Mr.Winslow, then you are acknowledging that there is racism in the first place! Now once you move past that point and read the article correctly, you will notice that he said that there should be minorities on the coaching staffs, not neccesarily having to be the head coach. Please read the article for how it is and stop saying that minorities should put the race thing behind them, because it is not gone. Orlando Cedeno Philadelphia
Considering race as a factor is pure and true racism and sadly because the family is black it is accepted in this country. Schools are not intentional keeping out black coaches but it is more the pool of qualified minority coaches is much smaller than the pool of white coaches. It is more a numbers games than a racial issue. If we force integration into coaching then we should ask the question: Should we force integration of white players into sports teams such as the NBA which is made up of 70 percent black players the NFL which is over 60 black? Chad Muszynski West Des Moines, Iowa
That is ridiculous. You don't defeat racism with racism. The young man could have made a bigger statement by going there (Washington) and then gettting more African-Americans to go there. What's the difference? There are white people and there are black people. Either way they are people. And since the father made color the point that only sets us back once again. James MacLeod Chicago
I agree that, in selecting a college, a young man or woman should make sure that he or she is comfortable with the racial attitudes and make-up of the institution of its athletic department. However, I have a problem with making race a criterion that could hurt as well as help minority coaches. I would hate to see white parents discouraging their children from playing for black coaches because of their race. Likewise, I think that a white coach with the right background and mindset could have a profound positive influence on a young black athlete. It still comes down to what is in the heart and the head of the coach, not his or her skin color. Steve Schroeder Tulsa, Okla.
So let me get this straight. Kellen Winslow Sr. encourages his son to consider the race of the coach or AD as criteria for his choice of programs for which to play, and he receives praise? As a white man, if I were to ask my son to do the same thing, does anyone think I would receive praise? No! Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be beating down my front door before you could say "double standard!" So, I'm to believe that if I tell my son he should reconsider playing football at USC because Mike Garrett is black, that I'll be praised? There would be rioting in the streets. Nick Trevino Sacramento
I congratulate the Winslow's for addressing the elephant in this country's living room. Imagine if most minority recruits decided to persue institutions that showed support of diversity by having an equal or at least reasonable number of minority staff. Imagine if all the black recruits made Michigan State their first choice based on head coach Bobby Williams' color. I think the statement would be deafening. Michael Griffin Mukilteo, Wash.
Kellen, ask yourself some questions: Which college team has produces the most NFL tight ends? (Washington.) Which college team uses the tight end as a primary focus in their offense? (Washington.) Is your dad hung up on something that is a concern for you, or is it his hangup? Too bad Kellen. I feel for you man. Nobody develops tight ends like Washington. Chad Brumbaugh Seattle, Wash.
I agree with Kellen Winslow in that fact that there should be more African-American coaches and all levels of athletics, but I can't see how he made a point. During the 2000 season, when his son was being reruited, Washington had a higher percentage of black coaches on their staff than Miami. Washington also has a female AD which, to me, looks much less like the old boys club than Miami's athletic department. If Winslow's only problem with Washington was their number and position of black coaches then why didn't he demand his son attend Stanford or Michigan State. And why was Miami even considered? John Langan Grand Rapids, Mich.
While I agree that this issue needs to be discussed at length and addressed by everyone, I believe Mr. Winslow went about using his sons talent and recruiting annoucement in a terrible and selfish manner. It's sickening and brings back memories of other overbearing and manipulative parents! Bryant Higgs Bozeman, Mont.
There is a strong point to be made about the lack of minority head coaches in both the pro and college ranks, and what motivates the people who consistently overlook qualified minority candidates. But the true stupidity comes in trying to fight racism with racism, which is exactly what Mr. Winslow is doing by choosing a coach based solely on the color of his skin. It's discriminatory, disgraceful, wrong and not even approaching a suitable remedy to the current lack of minority coaches. Christian Clouston Ann Arbor, Mich.
I applaud Kellen Winslow, Sr. for trying to instill principles in his son. I have no problem with his stance, so long as race is not the sole basis of the decision. It shouldn't matter what color the coach is so long as he trains my son well and wins games. Being a Ravens fan, I was amazed how Marvin Lewis was snubbed for jobs, though I'm glad he's still in Baltimore. In a league that has given Rich Kotite two jobs, can't Marvin (or Sherm) Lewis get a chance? Matthew Umsted Alexandria, Va.
If a white man told his son to choose his college based upon the race of the coaches -- i.e., pick a college with coaches of your own race -- he would be labeled a racist and harrassed like John Rocker has been. I have lost a lot of respect for Kellen Winslow, this is not right. Bob Baker San Diego
It's about time some of the retired athletes are speaking up on this issue. They know exactly how the system works. I really applaud Mr. Winslow for educating his son about the facts not fiction.I know these comments will be contrary to popular beliefs but they are so true! Most young black athletes are not aware of the system using their talent to promote, and make a small fortune for the universities they attend. They can play whatever sport they excel in, (while) "coaching" (is) out of the question! It is assumed that former players can't think well enough. Just ask Mr. Campanis Joe Howard Detroit
To make race an issue is simplistic and childish. It shows that the person is unable to move beyond the most easily perceived characteristic. If this is the extent of a person's analytic capabilities, they exhibit extreme immaturity. It is, however, a commendable admission, that they acknowledge their inability to see beyond the most easily recognizable characteristic. A sorry lot though. An attitude and response relegated only of the lowest of society. Royce Buller Parker, Colo.
Kellen Winslow Sr. is a reverse racists. The color of the man is not important. It is the man himself. A college selection should also be based upon what kind of education his son is going to receive and not what color the coaches are. I have lost alot of respect for Winslow Sr. Brian Langenbach Milwaukee
Never once did I hear anything about the academic part of the winslow families decision. If both schools were equal in all other facets then maybe he did make the right decision by going to a school with a black head coach. If the sole reason was going to Miami because of the black coach even though Washington University had much better academics then I think the Winslow family has lost sight of the real reason of college, which in my opinion is education. Jon Ludvigsen Fremont, Neb.
Success of the school/coach is the determining factor if all else is equal. Which of these three coaches would you want your son to play for at Notre Dame ... Bob Davie, Lou Holtz or Dennis Green? Does your choice change if the school is Tennessee State University? Philip Douglass St. Louis
This issue with the Winslow family has not created any racial tension or division, it has always been there and will continue to be there until we learn to respect and have a basic understanding of one another. I've been on both sides of the fence. I attended a college in West Virginia on a football scholarship and I eventually transferred to a historically black college after experiencing the things that Kellen Sr. speaks of. My mother was also hesitant to sign my letter of intent because I was looking at the world through "rose-colored glasses". It's not reverse racism, nor is it discrimination. It was simply a mother not wanting her son to experience the pain that goes along with realizing that racism indeed exists in our society. Let's not shy away from the truth of the matter. It is difficult for a young black man to be nurtured in an uncomfortable environment and I believe that having some familiar "faces" around will aid in the maturation process. Ron Richards Jr. Oakland, Calif.
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