re: Its official U of Alabama is racist

quote:

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With Greek institutions, you usually have to fit the mold and you can't deny that there are large cultural differences between black and white people.

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Reminds me of the color line in MLB - the powers that be carefully selected Robinson because of his decidedly middle class, "more in common with the average white person than average black person" credentials. The way he spoke, conducted his private affairs, etc.

Ignored was his reputation as a "rabble rouser", in contrast to Jesse Owens who worked within the system, Robinson had demonstrated he was unafraid to stand up for himself - and he was courtmartialed for this while serving as an officer in the US Army.

But, the last thing they wanted was a baseball version of Jack Johnson - or even Joe Louis (who's private life was a mess, despite his public presentation) - because any slip up would have set back the entire integration plan.

Not saying any of this is right - if you can do the job, or are otherwise qualified, you should get the spot, place, membership, etc.

However, being the "first" or "only" of anything is a significant burden - you don't want to mess it up for everybody else. *cough* Obama *cough*.