Race, It’s All Around Us, Even In a Heisman Trophy Win

As soon as I read Florida State University (FSU) quarterback Jameis Winston had won the Heisman Trophy, I knew the floodgates of?racism would be opened.? Suffice it to write, my fellow Americans did not fail in meeting my expectations.? Because nothing gets White Christian blood boiling like deviant sexual behavior on the part of a black stud involving a young White woman.

Despite the fact Winston has been cleared of all charges, the case never even went to trial, reporters did not miss the opportunity in reminding its readers that overshadowing Winston’s “earning college football’s most prestigious individual trophy award with a performance so dominant even a criminal investigation couldn’t derail his candidacy.”

I’m not a sports fan, even less that of football and even less of the Collegiate Sports Kingdom.? When I first learned of the rape allegations I was inclined to believe the accuser.? Why?? Because as someone who has experienced?college life and?all too?familiar with campus sports culture?coupled with?bad boy behavior?I’m all too aware of how young men, particularly star athletes feel entitled to sow their wild oats even with those whom might object.

But as I began to read and discover more of what allegedly took place that night I couldn’t help but feel somewhat skeptical.? Not that I’m exonerating Winston; however at the same time I’m not so convinced he’s guilty.? As? I wasn’t there, know neither of the parties involved all I have to base my judgment on are the facts which have been presented.? Seems logical to me.? So how is it there are those who know without a doubt Winston is unequivocally guilty?? One commenter had this to say of Winston winning the Heisman:

“This guy doesn’t deserve it, give it to a guy with some class, McCarron or Mariota, those guys have class and are every bit as good as this fool.”

Quite naturally McCarron and Mariota are White athletes.? So why are so many White Americans eager to?indict Winston?? Why the comparison of him?to OJ Simpson?? I hardly see the connection other than the fact they both are Black male athletes who were involved with White women.? Uh oh?? Here she goes.? She’s playing the race card.? Yes, the knee jerk response by deniers whenever the question of racism arises. Because of course in?a country whose history is seeped in the blood of?Black boys and men who were falsely accused by White women of rape, the idea that yes, race still matters is somehow farfetched?

Well race does matter.? It is all around us, in every aspect of our lives.? Racism is at the root of America’s past.? It is in the very foundation of this nation and until we actually deal with it, talk about it , confront it head on we will never get over it.? A nation that refuses to acknowledge its past will never be able to embrace its present.

Edited/Published by: SB

Nicole is an American-Israeli, born and bread in Dallas, Texas. She studied journalism at Texas Southern University where she earned her BA in Broadcast Journalism. She has worked in broadcast, print and radio. Writing is her first passion, particularly about socio-political issues and Israel. She has been living in Israel for the past 10 years now, where she considers home.