OK – let’s face it, I am about to walk headfirst into an area that is – well – taboo. I am going to explore how famous “black” people are “baited” by the media and then I will ask a few questions I think are important. Hang on tight – this could be an interesting ride!
No – this first – let’s start with something else – let’s start with the question – “Who am I”, as explained by Billy Crystal in the movie; Analyze This. WARNING – this one minute clip has some “salty” language. In this scene, Billy Crystal is speaking for a crime family led by Robert De Niro to the other Mafia heads at a clandestine meeting.
I don’t know about you, but I think that Billy does a very good job of explaining who he is. He is quite clear about what his friends call him and even gives a few monikers to help explain. The Mafia heads are just getting to know Billy and I surmise, he may have some difficulty fitting in with “these fine gentleman”. He is somewhat of an outsider or so it seems – he’s different, maybe “special”.
Now let’s turn to Marcus Freeman, the real life head football coach of Notre Dame. Funny, but after Notre Dame beat Penn State in the Orange Bowl last weekend, as I watched the on field interview following the game, I sensed that Coach Freeman was somehow different, not just a coach but a “special” coach?
Take a look at a one minute video after the Orange Bowl and let’s try to understand the point that the interviewer (Molly McGrath) was trying to make.
All right, let me repeat her opening statement and subsequent question;
“You are the first black head coach to go to a national championship game in college football. Just hearing that response alone, how much does this mean to you?”
By the way – here is a picture of the parents of Marcus Freeman:
Let me be “Crystal” clear (pun intended), I have nothing but respect for Marcus Freeman. He seems like a very grounded young man! He is clearly an exceptional coach working in a very high profile program. Truth is, I felt sorry he had to answer the question asked by Molly McGrath moments after an exciting victory for his team. That said, he did an awesome job with his answer and should be commended for his quick and measured response. So – my problem is not with Marcus – it is with Molly and the national media that just can’t seem to get passed making everything about race.
A few questions for Molly that come to mind:
1. Do you have an issue with Korean people? If you look at Marcus’s mom – it is rather clear that she is not Black and you stated that “you are the first black head coach”. In an article by Papiya Chatterjee in Essentially Sports , Marcus somewhat felt the need to address this topic when he stated: “I want to make sure that I give my mom a shout-out because I got a chance to be the first Asian—half Black, half Asian—head coach to coach in the college football championship game. But it’s a great reminder that you’re a representation for many, and many of those guys that look like me are in our team meeting room.” I am confident Marcus loves his mom and wants to acknowledge that she is Asian (not Black). I feel sorry that Marcus even had to make this statement. So… Molly (and mainstream media) – in this case, why does race matter anyway?
2. What was the point of asking that question? Did you ask that question to help bring people together or to point out differences? If Marcus were gay, would you now say “You are the first black gay head coach?” How about if he were an immigrant – would you say “you are the first black, gay, immigrant head coach?” Where does it end?
3. If Ohio State were to win in the National Title Game against Notre Dame on January 20th – what will she be saying about Coach Day’s ancestry? (When I googled the following question; “What is the nationality of the Ohio State head football coach?” Here was the answer: Ryan Patrick Day is an American football coach and former college football player. He is the 24th and current head football coach at Ohio State University, a position he has held since 2019.) He is an American – well that is not very interesting! What do you plan to do with that Molly?
Maybe – just maybe, we should take the advice of Morgan Freeman when asked about race and Black History Month. Please – watch this interview to the end (only about 1 minute) when Morgan Freeman makes an interesting observation!
Thoughts / Comments – I would love your input! Let me state unequivocally, reasonable people can see this topic differently. Speak your mind – it will not bother me!
Thanks!
Tom Monastra
