Volume II No. 16
 12-03-03
 Just Be Tiger
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2003
 

 The official announcement of the engagement of two young lovers 
 can certainly be a life-changing event. For the both of them. It signals 
 that the future has finally arrived. And that there really is no turning 
 back once that step has been taken. Sort of like two skinny-dippers 
 doing the toe test at the water's edge of a  pond they'd never visited 
 before. -- What's really in there? Is it safe? Or is it too dangerous 
 to chance a swim?

 Once the two young lovers make that leap. Either they sink. Or they
 deal with the new reality.

 As for not turing back. Once Tiger Woods announced his engagement
 to his beautiful Swedish girlfriend { like Tiger would ever marry an
 unattractive woman } angry whispers of disappointment swept 
 through some corners of the African-American community. Here's 
 yet another wealthy Black man chosing other than one of his own
 to be his wife.

 Bull.

 Why does Tiger Woods or any other man of ANY race, not have the
 right to marry whomever he wants. And we have always wondered why
 exactly is it that Tiger is always referred to indisputably as a Black man 
 anyway? Was this his choice? Or just a label that the press placed
 upon him?

 Afterall, isn't Tiger's mother from Thailand?

 She certainly isn't "Black." 

 { we could do an entire article on the public perception of mixed-raced
 individuals such as Halle Berry, Jennifer Beals, Salma Hayek, Jamie
 Lynn Siegler, or Mariah Carey.... maybe next time.... }

 So, why isn't Tiger Woods just as much an Asian is he is allegedly an
 African-American? From certain camera angles his profile is decidely
 Asian. And along this same line of thought, there are certainly numerous
 Asian ethnic groups that are as dark, or darker-skinned than Tiger Woods.
 Indonesia and Malaysia, as just two examples, have PLENTY of residents
 who are of a rather dark complexion. These groups include both those of 
 mixed race, as well as indigenous groups that are far darker than the more
 commonly recognized Asian phenotypes. 

 And for that matter aren't both the very dark Vijay Singh, { one of Tiger's
 competitors on the PGA tour } as well as the equally brown-skinned Fox News 
 reader Uma Pemmaraju of South Asian heritage?

 { ahhh..there are so many points from which to approach this argument
 ...in that aren't all modern human beings descended from our archaic 
 early human ancestors in Africa? And thus it can be argued that indigenous
 peoples across Asia simply reveal by their skin color their orginal heritage, 
 no matter how many thousands of years removed...But for the purposes of 
 this discussion we will let Asians remain purely as Asians... }

 So why then, isn't the Asian-American community in crisis because 
 Tiger didn't choose a bride who resembles either Lucy Lui, or the 
 aforementioned Uma? A brown-skinned woman of surpassing beauty 
 and elegance.

 Or maybe Tiger is NOT a Black man or an Asian man. Hasn't he also
 admitted to having  white ancestors? And who can forget his famous 
 "I'm a Casablian" comment from the Oprah Winfrey show a few years 
 back. { hope we got the spelling right! }

 This whole race thing is convoluted as heck. And geneticists have long 
 since PROVEN that race is an entirely social/cultural construct. That in 
 the end, we are all more alike than we are different. -- Alluding back to
 the information in the paragraphs above. Who can forget those famous 
 genetic studies where a resident from Tokyo for example, might have 
 more in common genetically with a housewife from Mauritania, than with 
 his/her own next door neighbor back in Japan. { the genes that govern 
 physical appearance - hence race as we have come to know it -- are but 
 a very small percentage of the entire DNA make up of an individual. }

 Back to Tiger...

 In the last couple of years, we've seen evidence that Tiger is going to 
 be very much his own man. Which is a good thing. If he were ever to
 decide to become a spokesman on the important social/politcal issues 
 of the day. The when, and the if, should be at a time of his own chosing. 
 Not that of some self-appointed African-American "leader" calling him 
 out on TV or Black talk radio and demanding that he step up to the plate,
 right now.

 And how disappointing it would be if Tiger were in the future somehow
 revealed to be a hypocrite. Like certain prominent African-American men 
 who are always draped in Kinte cloth and seen speaking in the angriest 
 of tones about "White Supremacy" or "Black Oppression." And yet for 
 some unfathomable reason repeatedly find themselves under investigation 
 for physically abusing Black women!

 Hmmm...

 Or worse yet, law enforcement are on to them for suspicion of purchasing 
 illegal drugs. And using those drugs while in a position of public trust. 
 -- Names of the so-accused we do not have to mention. You already know
 of whom we speak.

 We hope none of this kind of ugly scandal is in the cards for Tiger. And 
 that he has wonderful future. 

 Yes, America could use another articulate and reasoned Black voice
 that could be called upon in times of racial tension. Especially that of
 a successful Black male who has never come to the attention of the 
 law enforcement authorites. Or ever been involved in anything that 
 has a hint of impropriety.

 But, being a leader is just not for every individual. { as Charles Barkley 
 once said, "I am not a role model." } Fame in the sports arena, doesn't 
 guarantee relevance in other arenas of public concern.

 No. If it is not in Tiger Woods to be the next Jesse Jackson or Jesse 
 Owens, for that matter. Then he shouldn't TRY to be. He needn't be 
 Michael Jordan. Or Magic Johnson. He may never have the opportunity
 to stand strong for an important principle like Curt Flood or Spencer 
 Haywood had to.

 He needn't be defiant and a risk-taker like the assasinated Malcolm X. 

 Tiger does not have to carve out a strong political affiliation such as
 both Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell have done.

 He's not the beloved and humbled, Muhammad Ali. 

 Neither is he Ru Paul. -- Or Jackie Chan.

 He can't fight like Bruce Lee. Or spout the wisdom of Buddha.

 Tiger appears to have the confidence and self-assuredness of 
 a Denzell Washington. 

 Except he isn't Denzell Washington.

 Nor is he like the out-of-control Mike Tyson.

 All Tiger Woods can be is himself. No one has the right to expect 
 anything more...or less.
 

 ReadingPost.Com
 © Copyright 2003

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