Charles Barkley is once again stirring up trouble. As accusations arose of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson being branded “not black enough” by some of his teammates, Charles Barkley came to his defense.
The former NBA star laid the blame for black stagnation squarely at the feet of black America: “One reason [black people are] never going to be successful as a whole is because of other black people.”
I disagree. Some black Americans root for other black Americans’ success. We are called conservatives. We value all forms of success, regardless of color. Personally, I hold a sweet spot for black quarterbacks like Wilson. Until he comes into Dallas Stadium–then I’m hoping for the crushing defeat that caused Seattle’s slide to a 3-3 record.
Though I may have a sweet spot for Russell Wilson based off the concept of color, all of that changes when met with the reality of principle; I am a Dallas Cowboys fan.
The criticism of Russell Wilson gained steam because it was a racial issue. Charles Barkley furthered the racial aspect with his rebuttal. Now Russell Wilson is trying to save his NFL season in a tough division with the Cardinals while he has to make statements like, “Black enough? I don’t even know what that means. I’m just an educated, well-spoken male.”
Charles Barkley’s defense of Russell Wilson has done more to implode the issue than it has done to further the conversation about personal identity within the black community. Barkley stated: “We’re brainwashed to thinking if you’re not a thug or an idiot, you’re not black enough.”
Charles Barkley’s own statement proves the falsity of his argument. There are a lot of black Americans that thinks he is a traitor to his race, which devalues his race card, and would still call him a thug because of his “hold no punches” attitude. I can’t fathom how many blacks think he is an idiot.
Those are not the qualifying factors for blackness. Beyonce is not judged as less than black because she isn’t a thug or idiot. Neither is Kerry Washington, Jill Scott, or Oprah Winfrey. They are all intelligent, successful black women. Why isn’t their blackness questioned? Is it because that definition only applies to black men? Then explain the assault on color correctness witnessed by Stacy Dash and Crystal Wright.
Black America doesn’t question Barack Obama about his blackness. Nor do they question Cornel West, Al Sharpton, or Van Jones. They are intelligent, successful black men. Why isn’t their blackness questioned? Why do Hermain Cain, Allen West, and Tim Scott require a black litmus test?
Hint: It has nothing to do with race.
Russell Wilson came from a two-parent home. He had a quality education because his parents had the economic ability to choose an excellent school district. Wilson attended college based on skill, not affirmative action. Oh, and he likes to tweet out Bible verses to his twitter followers.
Russell Wilson is the antithesis of the progressive format to success. His parents didn’t rely on government to raise their children. His parents had the option of school choice. He worked to keep his grades up and build his football skills. And to top it off, he has the nerve to thank God for his success.
These are things progressives hate, not black America. The black progressive activists want more from Wilson because they are socialists who think they deserve more from Russell Wilson; in the form of taxes on his success and capitulation on serving their definition of the black cause.
As long as we keep the conversation on race, progressives can sit quietly in the background as black America fights among itself–and white progressives laugh at our dysfunction.