Not Just Showing Me the Money

Black athletes frequently get pigeon holed as negative role models in the media and never portrayed in a positive light for their contributions all across the world. Either we are celebrating them for winning a ball game or bashing them for contributing to the latest scandal in the news. Rarely are we acknowledging the charitable contributions they make on a regular basis or the positive things happening in their personal lives.



Photo By Mark Stahl, Toys R Us via AP

Tis the Season to begin down the road to changing our perspective on the Black athlete. Just like "regular" people, these men and women take out time from their hectic lives and full pockets to share holiday cheer to others. Below are just a few examples of this.

LT Ronald McDonald House Christmas Gift Giving
http://www.youtube.com/lt#p/a/6AD1C317689CECB7/0/EbIknl2_nGo

Dewayne Wade Grants Three $10,000 grants to after school programs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlkjLAmwEtw&feature=player_embedded

Allen Iverson makes $100,000 donation to fight crime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoFs2vfRgT8&feature=PlayList&p=39DBBBB335F79666&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=26


We could debate whether or not these athletes are really putting their own time and energy into these foundations, or just using them as a tax right off, however the reality is that they exist. The money that athletes in general and Black athletes in particular are putting back into the community is significant. Take some time to visit these websites. See how you can get involved in the work that they might be doing in your community.

Tiger Woods Foundation http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org
Wade's World Foundation http://www.wadesworldfoundation.org
Terrell Owens Catch A Dream Foundation http://www.terrellowens.com/foundation
Kenyon Martin Foundation http://www.kenyonmartinfoundation.org
Tony Dungy Foundation http://www.allprodad.com
Shaun Alexander http://www.shaunalexander.com/foundation.html
Gilbert Arenas Foundation http://www.gilsarena.com
Ben Gordon New Life Foundation http://www.bengordonnewlife.org
Bobby Jackson Foundation http://www.bobbyjacksonfoundation.org

I also encourage you to read these books. They will give you more insight into the TRUE lives of these athletes and scholarship that could provide some insight into the state of the Black athlete.

Quiet Storm and Uncommon by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker
Touchdown Alexander by Shaun Alexander
Catch This by Terrell Owens and Stephen Singular
T.O. by Terrell Owens and Jason Rosenhaus
Barry Sanders Now You See Him by Barry Sanders, John Madden, and Mark E. McCormick
Drive From Within by Michael Jordan
I May Be Wrong and Who Afraid of a Large Black Man by Michael Wilborn and Charles Barkley
The Jump By Ian O'Connor
Diversity and Social Justice in College Sports by Dana Brooks and Althouse
Race, Sport, and The American Dream by Earl Smith

A few books for the kids
Little T Learns to Share by Terrell Owens
You Can Do It by Tony Dungy

As a sport sociologist, it is my goal to continue to bring awareness of the issues in college and professional sports of Black athletes. I will be sure to share with you weekly my thoughts on current events that surround and advocate to present a different perspective on these stories.

Note: Most sports films are generally historically inaccurate. Like most feature films, production companies must make the movie entertaining for the audience, which could cause omission of significant parts of the story. I encourage you to read the books when you view these films, in order to get the real story. Be careful not to purchase the motion picture book. There are generally two versions.

The Blind Side
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis

Hurricane
Lazarus and the Hurricane by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton
Hurrican: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter by James S. Hirsch

Remember the Titans
A Titan of a Man by Paula Hines Longergan

Glory Road
Glory Road by Don Haskins and Dan Wetzel

Enjoy your holiday!! Merry Christmas!!