A Paradox Among Blacks

I write this blog with great respect for people of African descent. I don't like to call them African-Americans because I know many that are not American but still are here via some African heritage. They like being called "black" so I'll go with that.

A recent poll centers around Barry Bonds and his quest to become the all-time home run leader. 58% of people that actually cared wanted him to achieve the milestone. However, when compared along racial lines 78% of blacks wanted him to pass Hank Aaron where only 20% of whites wished this to be the case. 80% of whites feel that he used steriods where some 80% of blacks interviewed deny that he accomplished this feat with pharamcological enhancement.

I find that weird. Let's get real, other players saw him use steriods, people close to him have gone to prison because they would not testify against him. Others in his circle, including Bonds himself, have pleaded the 5th to avoid self-incrimination. He even says that he received regular injections, but he didn't know what was in them. Let's face it, he used steroids.

Let's also face it, Hank Aaron was not the uber-honkey Babe Ruth was. Hank Aaron was black, playing in different times. In many of the places he played he we likely not welcome out in the town. In many places fans still likely negatively remarked about his race despite his ability. His record was amazing. He still had to play defense and was not just some tubby goon trotted in off the bench to swing a bat now and then.

It is a disgrace to see Bonds approach his record and it will be a bigger disgrace the day he passes Aaron. Not being black I can't say for sure, but to me it is a negative to black advancement; that someone would obtain prominence because of illegal drug use. Where are the black leaders? Where are the protests?

To me Bonds cheapens an already lousy sport and as far as I'm concerned the record books will always have an asterisk by his name. More surprising, it is strange how the black community will look the other way, OJ style, when a person of similar race is guilty. Personally, I would find it unacceptable.

My only hope is that Hammerin' Hank starts taking steroids and growth hormone and starts training for a comeback. Once Bonds dies from steriod-induced cancers, Hank can come back and reclaim the title he rightfully earned in the first place.