Shani Davis - jazzman of the ice
He's black, he's American and he can skate. So what's the big deal? Simply that he's young, black, outspoken, iconoclastic and has issues. This is still not a good place to be in America. Sad but true. But like the jazzmen of old and even now, there is a place where he is appreciated. That place is the Netherlands. I hear they also like jazz there?




Jazz and speedskating have a lot in common. Form is key, rhythm is its own melody. Art in motion, art in sound. And it just so happens that he's young and black. But he gets little respect. Speedskating just isn't that much of a big deal in the states. If he could play ball well, that would be a whole different story.

Check this article out for more info: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/magazine/07Davis-t.html?scp=2&sq=Shani%20davis&st=cse

Sometimes we have to play by a different tune - our own. Wondering what my tune is? Do you know what yours is?

Just wonderin'

But if you are dancing to a different tune, then you shouldn't expect others to dance on eggshells around you. For someone who claims to be mature and independant and not caring what other's think, he and his mom sure run around a lot "proving" this. Plus, their empathy for other people's struggles are extremely shallow, but they want everyone to take notice of theirs? Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.

ALEX

IF any person is a good athelte they should be acknowleged
for this but if they seem to want to show off or
have a chip on their shoulder that is another thing


dgrimm60

LIZ

YES I agree they seem to want to prove something

dgrimm60

I love you, Liz, for noticing something other than the politically correct. Does it seriously matter what color this skater is? If it matters to some people, I have to wonder, "Why?"

IS there a difference between 'tune' and 'tone' in what you are referring to?

Personally I've found from my experience ...

If you are white ... color doesn't matter.

If you are black ... color matters a great deal.

Hey Woody,

Your experience serves you well - being black in America does matter. It matters a lot.

Racism hasn't disappeared just because we have a black President.

And karl - it does matter that this skater is black, Do you know of any others? It matters just like it does for others e.g. Swedes, Norwegians, Russians, Asians, Americans, Canadians etc.

Alex

This is not a valid comparison in my humble opinion.

Black is not a country nor a nationality. If it was we would be having the Olympics with the blacks against the whites. Why does the color of one's skin matter?

It matters only to the blacks who find the color of their skin an opportunity to cash in. They also think they can cry wolf. My personal experience finds that they are the biggest racists. They make skin color an issue when it shouldn't be.

We clearly do not need to pit skin color against skin color ... white against black. Why not just unite as nationalities instead of skin.

Woody,

You should be ashamed of yourself as a Christian for making this statement:

"It matters only to the blacks who find the color of their skin an opportunity to cash in. They also think they can cry wolf. My personal experience finds that they are the biggest racists. They make skin color an issue when it shouldn't be."

Is this the way you perceive your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who happen to be black?

Alex (half black - half white)