This past weekend, baseball celebrated integration of the sport with a banquet and the specially denoted regular season Civil Rights game here in Atlanta.
I misunderstood the purpose of the weekend celebrations. I thought they were to honor the accomplishments of the exceptional black players who broke the color barrier.
Until Jackie Robinson integrated the sport and Larry Doby followed shortly thereafter, major league baseball was a game for lily white players only.
Black players had once been relegated to play a separate “Negro” league. For years, the greatest players of their generation never had to face each other.
How many fewer home runs would Babe Ruth have hit if he had to face Satchel Paige for a few hundred at bats? Unfortunately, we’ll never know.
Not every baseball fan wanted black players integrated onto their team at the time. Many were not shy about expressing their negative emotions.
Because of the color of their skin, these great players endured death threats, just for playing a game. They were brave men with great dignity, deserving to be honored by baseball.
Why does baseball’s management have to screw everything up by injecting politics into the events?
During the Braves telecast of Sunday’s game, the announcers interviewed actor Morgan Freeman, winner of this year’s Beacon of Hope award. Immediately the question popped in my head, “What’s the connection between Morgan Freeman and baseball?”
I got on the Internet to research the answer to my question.
I love Morgan Freeman the actor. Still I wondered, why is Morgan Freeman receiving an award from baseball?
For that matter, what are these “Beacon” awards, anyway?
It turns out there are three awards given out each year since 2007.
This years (2011) winners:
- Ernie Banks – Beacon of Life award.
- Morgan Freeman – Beacon of Hope award.
- Carlos Santana – Beacon of Change award.
Ernie Banks, the quintessential Cub, deserves every award from baseball. No problem.
It turns out that Morgan Freeman paid out of his own pocket so a high school from his home state of Mississippi would hold an integrated prom, which sounded pretty cool. So I’m still thinking about these awards, “No big deal.”
Then I get to Santana.
How do I feel about Carlos Santana? Love his music. His distinctive guitar solos are some of the easiest to recognize. I really appreciate his brilliant talent for playing guitar. That’s why this pains me so much to say what I’m about to say.
So….what did he do to merit his award?
Honestly, I have no idea. I don’t care. Read the article and tell me.
I got so angry when I read his comments in support of illegal immigration that I stopped reading out of concern about the sudden increase of my blood pressure.
Santana irritated me when he said, “The people of Arizona, and the people of Atlanta, Georgia, you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
I thought, What’s this all about?
Then he really made me mad when he added, “This [proposed immigration] law is not correct. It’s a cruel law, actually. This is about fear. Stop shucking and jiving. People are afraid we’re going to steal your job. No we aren’t. You’re not going to change sheets and clean toilets. This is the United States. This is the land of the free. If people want the immigration laws to keep passing, then everybody should get out and leave the American Indians here.”
Hey Carlos — nothing personal but screw you, buddy. I’m certain that I’ve cleaned a toilet more recently than you have. We’re talking about illegal, not legal immigration.
You’ve made me sorry I’ve contributed to your wealth buying your music. I won’t make that same mistake again.
As far as the American Indians were concerned, if they had been a sovereign nation attempting to secure the borders to the country more than three centuries ago, you might have a point.
They didn’t consider themselves owners of the continent. In fact, the legend of Manhattan is that the Indians were screwed out of the island for about $20 worth of beads and trinkets.
The Indians thought they were ripping off the Dutch because they didn’t consider the land their property.
There’s no doubt the Indians made a bad deal.
But it where can i buy provigil in south africa was a deal. If I make a bad deal selling my car or house, there’s no provision for seller’s remorse. No one forces the seller into making a sale. When has it ever been the responsibility of the buyer to educate the seller on the value of his goods to sell?
How about if we impose the immigration laws of your home country? Would that be fairer?
Here’s a news flash for you, Carlos. Mexico’s laws against illegal immigration are much tougher than what we’ve been talking about here, according to every source of information I’ve been able to find on the subject.
You rarely sing. What made you think you should speak before forming an educated opinion?
Or do you not care about the truth regarding this issue?
And here’s a personal message from one fan to Major League Baseball…if you study statistics, you are well aware of the decline in popularity of “America’s favorite pastime.”
I looked at the past award recipients and saw Harry Belafonte was honored last year.
What are you people thinking? Are you unaware about some of the things he’s said recently?
Fans of the game will continue to dwindle if you don’t pay attention to baseball and leave politics to the politicians.
Look up the names Steve Bellán (Cuban) and Luis Castro (Colombian).
John,
You seem to have a lot of hatred for these immigrants, now, why don’t you ask yourself, why exactly is that…I bet you can’t come up with 3 solid reasons other than the TV told me it’s bad, and it’s illegal…The fact is, though Carlos didn’t state it with the utmost eloquence, he’s not entirely wrong.
My parents arrived here illegally as well as a lot of my family. They worked hard for years and years while they were here, doing back breaking work, and being taken advantage of by getting paid squat for their labor. They achieved residency and eventually citizenship later. They had three children, one is now a pro salsa dancer, one is a dentist, and I’m a Structural Engineer. It’s not inaccurate to say that it would have been near impossible for them to arrive legally, where they are from. You need money, a lot of time, and luck. All things they were pretty short on. And that was 30 years ago. Mexico is a war zone right now with Drug Cartels and corrupt politics, and many good citizens are simply trying to flee the horror, but if it’s in your morals to turn away refugees, than that’s your prerogative.
Why don’t you take a closer look at the article you referenced about Manhattan…it downright says they were swindled(which is a crime, believe it or not) as well as that it’s probably not even true as the natives didn’t feel they owned the land to sell, thus it was probably just a legend to make them look foolish. And while we were on the subject…I didn’t realize Manhattan covered the entire present day United States…the fact is this land was usurped by Europeans unjustly, and then rules were established so the same could not happen to them. Sweep it under the rug all you like, but the truth is the truth.
The first and most important thing to do would be to provide a better avenue for immigrants to arrive legally while concentrating law enforcement on Drug Cartels and such…Not persecuting those that are here working to support their families. And while we’re on the subject, it’s laughable when I hear people saying that illegal makes it wrong…well it’s not wrong (for a lot of people) when they’re speeding, bribing officers/politicians, and doing drugs, which is the quintessential reason the drug cartels are even in power…because many in this country are happy to buy their product…But the single most idiotic statement I’ve heard, and was predictably mentioned in your rant, is that other countries’ including mexico’s immigration policy is worse. We should be the measuring stick, we’re the greatest country in the world after all, correct? Other countries’ policies are irrelevant.
Raul,
Thank you for reading my article.
You have mistakenly assumed that I hate anybody. You certainly devoted a great deal of time to the issue of whether or not the Indians owned America. The only reason I mentioned the issue is because Mr. Santana brought it up. I found his comments very offensive, ill-informed and inhospitable considering Atlanta was hosting him. I find it interesting that you call me an idiot for mentioning the hypocrisy of the fact Mexico’s immigration policies are more severe than ours.
What is your proposal….anything goes immigration? If you read my article on the Redistribution of wealth, we cannot sustain the entitlement system that legal immigrants and people who have never worked manage to exploit. I know I will never receive the money I’ve paid into Social Security, and believe it or not, I’m okay with writing off the $200,000 or so I’ve paid into the system. All I ask is that at some point, they stop taking my money to give to other people.
It deprives me of the joy of charity when I’m not able to direct my donations myself. I prefer helping people and animals that really need it.
Congratulations on your achieving citizenship. It’s a pity you are willing to devalue that privilege so readily and harshly criticize other citizens to the point of implying they are racist for exercising their First Amendment Rights. I do not apologize for my opposition to ILLEGAL immigration.
I’m not asking for you or your family to be deported, or for legal immigration to stop or even decrease. I simply want federal law enforced, and Obama won’t do it.
An interesting point was just made by Jon Kincaid of 680 the Fan about this issue: how do you think Mr. Santana would respond if I decided to illegally download his music and distribute it? I suspect he would want the authorities to prosecute me, and rightfully so. I just want our borders secured so illegal immigrants cannot cross, whether they be Mexican or of Middle Eastern descent.
The problem is, we turned a blind eye for years because of cheap labor, and we’ve found out that porous borders are an unsupportable security risk during the War on Terror.
Good write up John. These illegals are not ‘cheap’ labor by any means just like welfare it destroys both the individual and society via the never ending resentments it engenders. This Balkanization of America is by design and its purpose is to remake our society by the destruction of the middleclass and enlargement more easily controlled group subservient to an overweening government.
This is happening in all the Western countries.
Carlos Santana is nothing more than a fool and an ingrate. If I had been at the Brave’s stadium and heard this my response would have not been polite. Wonder what type of response he received?
BTW, I personally believe there is a backlash of terrible proportions coming towards these illegal invaders and their supporters!
John,
I never called you a racist…I find it interesting that you jumped to that conclusion however. I also never called you an idiot, simply that the statement you have regurgitated is tired and idiotic, and has no relevance to what should be America’s policy. I didn’t really spend as much time as you think on the native American issue, but you contested the notion that the natives were ripped off, as a way of debunking Carlos’ statement while justifying what really happened, and I had to throw in my two cents on that.
I was born here, as well as my siblings. My parents came over illegally, gained residency and eventually citizenship. So you can understand why I don’t agree with the demonizing of ALL illegal immigrants. As I alluded to, there are real issues in Mexico and coming over legally isn’t as easy as one might think…
So my proposal, is to leave the ones that are here alone, especially the ones working (which is what the bill Carlos was contesting, will not do), and provide an easier and more efficient way for immigrants to come over legally, thus providing incentive for doing it the right way. Many immigrants pay thousands to Coyotes to bring them over, and risk their lives doing so. If there was an easier way to do it through legal avenues, they most certainly would.
There’s also a flaw to people enraged that illegals don’t pay taxes. They also don’t benefit from any of the programs the taxes provide for. With the exception of perhaps, schooling for their children…which again, if you want to turn your back on children’s needs, that’s your prerogative. They don’t get tax returns, and here’s the kicker…most actually do pay into Social Security…and WILL NEVER GET ANY OF IT BACK…if anything, they are helping it stay afloat…
The danger of terrorists crossing through Mexico is overplayed and unwarranted. The main issue surrounding dangerous immigrants is the Drug trade. The biggest problem with this whole crackdown is it will come down harder on the wrong people, the hard working people mentioned. The ones we should be worried about have false documents and connections to pass through undetected. This is where the focus should be.
Lastly, Carlos was simply doing what you have accuse me of chastising you for, exercising the First Amendment…and lo and behold, I did the same thing…sue me…
Okay, split hairs on a technicality. You did not specifically use the word “racist.”
However, you began your remarks by accusing me of hating people I don’t even know personally, which would make me a racist.
Please do not insult my intelligence by denying it again.
As far as your unabashed support of open borders, we will have to agree to disagree.
If I had any interest in denying your right to free speech, I don’t need to sue you. I can delete your comments, silly. I run my own website.
I chose to let you express your opinion because I do respect your right to do so. That doesn’t mean that you are right. I willingly admit that I’m frequently wrong, but I’m not ready to do so in this case.
I submit your assertion that illegal immigrants pay into the system and get nothing in return is absolutely false. Who paid the hospital bills for your mother’s three hospital bills for maternity? I suspect your parents didn’t if they held menial jobs and were poorly compensated.
If we didn’t have this massive entitlement system that everybody but me seems to be gaming for profit, I might be more inclined to support more liberal immigration policies and legalizing those that are here. But this country is going bankrupt, and fast. We need the people gaming the system to be weaned off and put to work. We need to concentrate on righting the ship before we lower the floodgates again.
Now I’ve let you call me stupid and idiotic and imply I’m a racist, but I’ll remind you that I do not have to let you speak here. I own this site, so I ask cordial discourse. If I don’t get it, your future comments don’t have to be approved. That is my right of proprietorship regarding the content on this blog.
I am tempted to ask what you would say if I suggested the Aztecs ask all the non-Indian Mexicans to move back to Spain. But that would be silly, wouldn’t it? It wouldn’t have any direct relevance to your argument that the U.S. should be purged of all white Europeans, would it?
Last, but not least,
Listen John, If you read my first comment and second, you will see that I never outright called you the things you are outright accusing me of. I said “you SEEM to have a lot of hatred” because guess what, that’s the impression you gave off when I read your article. Words like “angry” and “irritated” and “screw you” kind of have that effect. If you don’t hate illegals then that’s great, but your comments say otherwise in my opinion. If I’m wrong, so be it. Now as far as the hospital bills, you are probably correct, but no different treatment than low income legal citizens receive. That’s an entirely different issue, but I will say certain things just have to be done. You can’t turn your back on people that need your help. Ask yourself, would you switch places with them? Your life is 10x better than them, and yet that’s not enough. Talk about entitlement. Lastly here’s an interesting article for your bemusement. http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2008-04-10-immigrantstaxes_N.htm
I can assure you from personal experience that the ideas expressed here are in fact valid. This is my last comment, if anything I have written has gotten through to you or anyone else reading them and even shined a smidgen of light on a different perspective, then it was worth it. Good day to you sir…
Oh I forgot to address your comment about the Aztecs…what? I never said anything about purging white Europeans…are you even reading my comments? And what’s funny is you have inadvertently touched on an interesting point. It would be silly for the Aztecs or Natives to ask Europeans or non-Indian Mexicans to move back to Europe…as it is silly to ask Illegals to move back to their country IF they are here for the right reasons. The right thing to do is to coexist.
Oh, please. If I said “you seem like an irritating jerk”, are you focused only on the word “seem?”
You’re trying to split hairs and use semantics to defend your remarks. Now, you seem like a smart enough guy, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stop trying to insult my intelligence.
If you look through my blog history, you won’t find other articles on illegal immigration. If you search for other writings I’ve published online at the American Thinker website and Atlanta Creationism Examiner, you might conclude that I read quite a bit and think a while before I start typing.
Santana brought up the Indians and suggested white Europeans stole their country. You echoed his sentiments. My comparison to the Aztecs is completely relevant to your irrelevant argument, as would comparisons to Maoris in New Zealand, aborigines in Australia, and just about every other continent on the planet that once had other inhabitants.
We have no obligation to anyone to open wide our borders to all comers. Many come here and express open hatred for this country; so why come? Because they want to change it.
I have similar debates with people who think the government should redistribute wealth because people won’t donate to charity. Some won’t; this is true. But I know plenty of people who will. I wrote an Examiner piece expressing a desire for wealth over fame, but most missed completely that the only reason I want more money is to give most of it away. We have all we need. I’d like to help more people. But I reject anybody, including you, who tells me I’m not giving enough. I was born here. There’s no other home for me to go. My ancestors legally immigrated from France and Italy several hundred years ago.
I happen to live in a city with a high population of illegal immigrants. I’ve never checked anybody’s papers or reported them to the police. I don’t have anything personal against the illegal immigrants who are here, but they did break the law.
If the politicians decide to legalize them all after the borders are closed, I won’t be protesting in the street (or here.) I don’t want people dying in the desert; I also don’t want Arizona ranchers shot to death on their own property. I’d support annexing Mexico as our 52nd state (Puerto Rico deserves 51) before I support continuing to have a porous border. The southern border of Mexico would be a lot easier to defend. Then we could beef up our defenses against the Canadian border, too, if Mexico was a state, not a border problem.
If the drug war down there isn’t under control soon, we may not have a choice, although every other country in the world would call it an invasion. I don’t blame good people from wanting to leave. But we can’t stop the bad guys from crossing, either. That’s a big problem.
Awesome post.