Mary Mitchell

This achievement will do more for minority coaches than any work Jackson could do. Dungy and Smith are class people and great coaches.
The NFL isn't the only league with racial issues - just look at the NBA where the 2-time MVP (who is white) is not voted into the NBA All Star game, nor is one of the leading contenders for the award this year, Dirk Nowitzki (who is white). When we talk about race issues in sports, we should broaden the spectrum when appropriate. It is not always blacks needing to break down barriers and stereotypes. The white man in basketball is the dirty little secret that never gets discussed because it brings out issues that the media never wants to discuss. Like racial slurs being tossed out at opposing white players. Scott Skiles mentioned this on the radio the other day and it has been discussed by other white players in the past. It just doesn't make good stories for the PC media...

Good story...one thing that I think will happen from here on out is that change is brought about by more leaders across sports (Smith, Dungy), politics (Obama) and corporations (CEOs like John Thompson) as opposed to extortion-style tactics like Jackson used at Anneheiser Busch which resulted in his sone getting a lucrative job. More breakthroughs by natural leaders like this will be the ultimate change agents.

How was this so called "discrimination" cheating the fans? I used to be an NFL fan(not anymore, the NFL is too dirty and low class for me to watch), and I never felt "cheated". Also, every black player or coach who is in the NFL should be thankful for the opportunities they get. Remember, the NFL was founded by white men for white men, and if the white owners want to only have white people work for them that's their right to do that. So I sense a lack of gratitude by these blacks in the NFL. Because the white owners years ago didn't have to let blacks in, by the goodness of their hearts they allowed blacks in. Because if every owner in the NFL was black, we all know they would only allow blacks into the league. We all know they would not allow any white players or white coaches.

That was so inspiring. I am in a position now where I am one of the few black students in my undergraduate teaching program at the University of South Florida. It becomes hard at times knowing the cards have been staked against me, but my Jesus is the reason for my perseverance. The key to it all is knowing who (Jesus Christ) even when you do not know how...Love you sister...

A excellent article. Most Afro-Americans know, even if we don't want to admit that it was the same demands that open the door to better housing, employment and education. By the way, could you mention in one of your articles, Daisy Gatson Bates, who was the co-owner of the black own newspaper in Little Rock Arkansas, an I believe a advisor to the first group of Afro-Americans intergrated into the public school system. The state of Arkansas recently approved for her birthday to be offically recognized.

Ms Mitchell,
Could you write a article about Daisy Gatson Bates, the co-owner of a black owned newspaper, an adivsor to the little rock 9 who intergrated the public school in Little Rock Arkansas in the 1950's. The state of Arkansas officially observes her birthday on Feb 19. I think her story was one of many that paved the way for blacks in education and employment. Thank you.

It is truly a shame that such a policy as the Rooney Rule would have to be put into place in order to get the NFL to take a "proactive" approach to giving qualified brothers a chance. However, it is only when there is a threat of loss revenue that such acts are taken seriously. Whenever someone complains about Jesse Jackson's involvement in things like this, they should be appreciating that someone is not only looking into matters like this, but are actually participating in some positive action to address the issue. Don't ever think that for one minute that Lovie, Tony, or any of the other brothers that are NFL head coaches would have been given an opportunity based on sheer credentials. The Mike Shulas, Dan Hennings, Wade Phillips' and Matt Millens of the NFL world continue to reciprocate themselves, and not by just their own doings. You have to truly question those "qualified " individuals who are in position making these decisions. If it is this difficult in the sports arena for talented and qualified brothers to get a chance to just interview for head coach positions (which often time before were a mere token gesture), just imagine what it's like in corporate America!

Hard work helped?

In some cases, hard work has NOTHING to do with ones' position in life, whereas agitation gets the "job" done. But rest assured, that agitation was rewarded within the family circle and, once achieved, the "agitation" ceased to exist.

I am referring of course to the "successful" Anheuser-Busch boycott that got the Rev. Jesse Jacksons' son the prime distributorship in the United States. Do you dream that "Budweiser" would have given that job to a qualified Black applicant(If Rev. Jackson had treated the boycott with respect instead of self-aggrandisement, it could have happened)? Do you dare dream that if they had, the Rev. Jackson would have been satisfied? Dream on, dream on.

The fact remains that the boycott ended with both Anheuser-Busch and the Jackson family happy(and rich!).

Field demonstration after the fact: "Well, people, I declare the boycott over! We won! We won! Now, let's celebrate with a BUD! Now to advance ourselves." God only knows how many more deserving BLACK applicants for that distributorship there were that his son had pushed out of the way and swept under the rug(let alone kicked to the curb), and I have a feeling there were a few with higher qualifications than the son of Reverend Jackson.

Yea, right. And that is one reason to doubt this mans' agitating sincerity. There are more, but what's the use.

Hey, Mary, Great column as always. Thank you and have a great day!

This comment has nothing to do with the article mentioned above, but Mary, I am curious to know as to why you have not written about Todd Stroger, Jr. It seems that now that the black community voted him in, they are not too pleased. It seems to me that this is the very first community he is kicking in the rear. (and please don't come back with a "this has nothing to do with race" response, because this particular election had a whole lot to do with race.

I am sick and tired of hearing all the hoopla about two black coaches getting into the Superbowl. When will it end?

To the moderator, this is off the topic here but please hear me out. I just read your article about how Stroger and the county board want to cut free clinics and other healthcare facilities, while paper pushers who are friends of Stroger's and other politicians keep their six figure income jobs. I agree, that is an outrage and it is just more typical cook county waste. What this means is that poor people(most of whom I would guess voted for Stroger)are going to die because they will not have access to a doctor or a clinic. But this is no surprise. Stroger is just as corrupt as his father was, and just as corrupt as most of the democrats in this county. They don't care about poor people dying, they only care about some lazy relative or lazy friend keeping their job. That's why the people in this county should have given Peraica a chance. Maybe he would be doing exactly as Stroger is doing? But maybe given a chance a republican, or outsider like him, would maybe be doing the right thing and instead of closing clinics, he would be balancing the budget by cutting the paper pusher's jobs. Because with Peraica, it's possible he would do the right thing, but with Stroger it was a given that it would be business as usual. Like Peraica's campaign slogan said "have you had enough"? Well, apparently the people in this county have not had enough. Apparently the people in this county have adoration and affection for corrupt politicians. So I guess we shouldn't complain because we are just getting what we wanted.

This story and its writer are just as racist as any white person. Give it up, please. You can just use the black card so much. I wish we had a white card. We don't.

Latoya-
Look around your class one more time. I went to USF and there isn't a snowballs chance in hell that you are one of the few African Americans in the education department. Not only are your profs. almost all minority 85% of the students around you are either african american or middle eastern. If you were in computer sciences you could even be educated by convicted terrorists, upheld by your fearless leader Judy Genshaft just because he is a minority. Don't start pulling the 'whoa is me' crap about minorities at USF, that is just not true.

This is a comment to Jerry who seems to have ALOT of free time on his hands. Apparently you have some issues. Every article Ms. Mitchell posts on this site is for a purpose; that purpose being to cultivate discussion between people of different races and hopefully resolve long standing issues. It's closed minded people like you who really hurt our nation when it comes to the healing process and it appears that you have nothing better to do than criticize people who are African American. As a white person I think you are an embarrasment to us. Please stop posting nonsense and let people who actually have something constructive to say get a chance on this blog. I pray that eventually you will find Jesus because you desperately need him. Ms. Mitchell, please keep up the good work.

Chris W, you bring up some good points. I remember this topic about racism against whites in the NBA being discussed a few years ago on that show "Real Sports" with Bryant Gumbel on HBO. I'm not saying white players are kept out of the NBA, but it did discuss how white players hear racist comments from other black players, and how many black players feel that the NBA should be an exclusive club just for them. It also talked about the deep resentment many black players feel about the large influx of white European players coming into the league. Now being a southsider this comes as no surprise to me because the majority of black NBA players are straight out of the ghetto. Which means that they have been taught from the cradle to hate white people.

JERRY-I really am curious as to how you function in life with half a brain?
"Because the white owners years ago didn't have to let blacks in, by the goodness of their hearts they allowed blacks in."

Umm yeah, I'm gonna go with out of the goodness of their bank accounts. Why don't you just be honest for one nanosecond of your life and tell everyone that yes you are an ignorant, sad racist human being. It would free up the rest of the board from trying to talk sense into you. Your lack of critical thinking skills are astounding.
"I used to be an NFL fan(not anymore, the NFL is too dirty and low class for me to watch")But you acknowledge that the NFL is run by white people, so who is making it dirty and low class? "Because if every owner in the NFL was black,we all know they would only allow blacks into the league. We all know they would not allow any white players or white coaches."(Yes because black people have a history of taking over corporations and then barring white people!)That made me laugh out loud heartily! You are mentally challenged and possibly mentally unstable, a little slow on the uptake. You probably like to argue that the sky is red as well. I really hope there is not a sad enough women on the planet for you to reproduce with. For it would surely be a very sad thing. Now I'm upset that I have wasted even 3 mins. on your pitiful elementary, GED level drivel.

JERRY-I really am curious as to how you function in life with half a brain?
"Because the white owners years ago didn't have to let blacks in, by the goodness of their hearts they allowed blacks in."

Umm yeah, I'm gonna go with out of the goodness of their bank accounts. Why don't you just be honest for one nanosecond of your life and tell everyone that yes you are an ignorant, sad racist human being. It would free up the rest of the board from trying to talk sense into you. Your lack of critical thinking skills is astounding.
"I used to be an NFL fan(not anymore, the NFL is too dirty and low class for me to watch")But you acknowledge that the NFL is run by white people, so who is making it dirty and low class? "Because if every owner in the NFL was black,we all know they would only allow blacks into the league. We all know they would not allow any white players or white coaches."(Yes because black people have a history of taking over corporations and then barring white people!)That made me laugh out loud heartily! You are mentally challenged and possibly mentally unstable, a little slow on the uptake. You probably like to argue that the sky is red as well. I really hope there is not a sad enough women on the planet for you to reproduce with. For it would surely be a very sad thing. Now I'm upset that I have wasted even 3 mins. on your pitiful elementary, GED level drivel.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE TWO QUALIFIED COACHERS GET TO THE BIG GAME. WHITE COACHES ARE RECYCLED FOR YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR NEW BLOOD IN THE COACHING RANKS. "THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS" IS GOOD TO SEE. SMART YOUNG BLACK MEN GETTING A CHANCE TO REVEAL THIS GIFTS AND KNOWLEDGE.

I agree with "JJ". Who gives a rats' azz about race anymore? Just the racists seem to get off on the hoopla of racism for their own interests! When WILL it all end??!

good on you guys.......dreams can come true!

I read were NASCAR is working to implement more minorities into their sport.When I was struggling and starving they didnt give me any free rides.I believe you earn the right with hard work and dedication not color.Let the Tiger be an example not just a wannabee.

To the poster above(Jerry), who commented on NFL owners having the 'right' to only hire white employees, and who also seems to feel the black coaches and players are being "ungrateful"...

Ya know what??? You're somewhat right about their(the owners') right to hire whomever they please. As an aside, I'm gonna take a wild guess, and assume you to be a white man yourself, based upon your commentary. Whether I'm correct in that assumption or not, you've got every right to your opinion, Jerry, ignorant and bigoted as it might be.

Imagine for a moment, however, that the entitlement you believe those white owners should have, in fact, exists. Also imagine that the league as a whole- top to bottom, from owner on down to coaches, players, trainers, and the like- was white as well...

Exactly whom do you think is gonna want to watch, support w/ tickets and purchasing of licensed merchandising, watch on TV, have even one red cent of their hard-earned monies go towards the construction of stadiums and/or related facilities via taxation, etc....outside of white people??? If you believe that any one person, let alone any significant and/or influential group of people outside of the white race- would want anything whatsoever to do w/ something that blatantly racist, bigoted and otherwise closeminded...well Jerry, I would then have no choice but to believe you to be closeted away somewhere in your own little private world(never mind the fact that I may very well have arrived at that assumption already!).

IT DOES CHEAT FANS, JERRY...what's the reason, you might ask??? Because the word "fans" and the vast groups of peoples it encompasses aren't all smug and morally consipated haters of their fellow man/woman, Jerry, as you've chosen to be. "Fans" can be, and do in fact, include minorities and whites alike. Those same said people may very well think like you do, seeing as how racism is not a market cornered by whites alone. However, I am sure there are just as many blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, and anyone else I've failed to include, who actually LIKE and WANT to see the changes in hiring policies w/ regards to race. Their reasons may vary, but the bottom line is that they are tired of seeing the intentional exclusion of non-whites from decision-making positions. Imagine that, huh?

For future reference Jerry- you MIGHT just want to stay away from making the assumption that you have an inkling of an idea as to what blacks should be grateful for. Same goes for your supposed 'knowing' of what blacks would do if they, instead of whites, held majority ownership in any NFL franchise. All your assumptions do is make your commentary look even sillier than it already appears. Furthermore, you give a bad name to all the whites who are fair, honest, openminded, and otherwise good people. Truth is, you don't know now, and if you continue on this same path of self-delusion- you will NEVER have opened your mind enough to to have ANY future idea of what blacks- down to man, woman, and child- think, feel or 'would do'

i read your article about the Dr. martin luther king memorial needing donations. i misplaced the article. i would like the address so i can send a donation. can i get another copy of the article?

Mitchell Comment:

You can get information about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at www.mlkmemorial.org.

Jerry, what are you afraid of?

I see the Cowboys have hired a twice fired retread who has never won a playoff game. Talk about affirmative action for unqualified white males. But why should we be surprised? The corporate world is full of those.

And to the pea-brain who wants to talk about racism in the NBA pointing to the fact that Steve Nash was not voted into the All-Star game, blame the mostly white fans across the country who did not vote him in. Take a look at the faces who show up to the games, they are mostly white.

Jerry,

Please be advised that your white skin is your white card.

Signed,

fellow caucasian, but wiser.

It pains me to admit it, but it's clearly obvious it DID take the pressure and the Rooney rule for black coaches to finally get a shot. One would have thought that this shouldn't have been necessary in this day and age but it's proof we haven't quite conquered racism or prejudice just yet.

Hopefully just as with black QB's, this issue will now completely fade away into irrelevance and people will merely be judged by their accomplishments. This was an important step.

Now the Chargers have hired an unqualified white man to coach their team with a career record of 59-83 over a qualified Hispanic candidate that led a defense which carried their team to the Superbowl.

In Ron Rivera's (Bears defense) head to head matchup with Ron Turner's offense (49ers offense), Rivera's defense forced 5 turnovers. If that doesn't show that Rivera is, at this time, the better candidate for the job, I don't know what does.

I know the Chargers are free to hire whomever they want, but the playing field is definitely not level. I never want to hear again how affirmative action is not needed in today's still very much racist America.

Jerry, let me ask you this. If a normal person unlike you was coaching an NFL team, wouldn't they pick the best players and coaches possible in order to win a super bowl? These black players have worked hard to get to the level that their at and should be respected for that. By the way im white, and from Australia. In Australia people just dont care about the colour of skin and i wish the few racist scums over in america would realise that anyone who works hard deserves to get the results.

Very simply put.

In the 1940's, 50' and 60's. when black faces did not prevail in sports, where did we see the the lawbreakers, druggies, insolate and crude behaviorship that we see today???

End of story.