Perhaps you noticed that the most recent Little League World Series team was stripped of their 2014 title. The group of 11-13 year old boys played terrifically last summer, earning the series championship by ousting teams across the globe. They worked hard, played hard, and had a few balls bounce their way. It was thus a shame to see the title taken away.
Little League International made the decision to strip the Jackie Robinson West team from Chicago, Illinois of their title after months of investigation. It was determined that team officials — the manager included — had intentionally falsified boundaries so they could add ineligible, talented players to their roster. Little League International also determined that the officials then attempted to persuade adjacent leagues to go along with their falsification.
This is a gut-wrenching story. How do we adequately explain adults’ wrongdoing to a group of adolescent boys? How is it fair that young boys pay for the mistakes of their role models? As a baseball parent, this made my heart sink. It also made my oldest son’s heart sink; he was equally appalled. He knows the adults did wrong, and thus finds it sad that the kids have to pay. Those kids worked hard for that title. They won.
As we were attempting to sift through the legitimacy of the consequences — recognizing this is a tough situation — we were immediately exposed to the outrage of other adults. The most attention-receiving indignation was not based on the fact that these are young men; it was on the fact that the entire team is made up entirely of African-American young men.
Parents, lawyers, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, aldermen, noted Obama mentor Father Michael Pfleger, and more chimed in. Each suggested the title was stripped or may have been stripped because the kids are black. Jackson went so far as to call it “persecution.” Like I said, this is tough.
I am again reminded of those who have suggested the need for a national dialogue regarding race. During Pres. Obama’s tenure, my sense is we have had many conversations about race; it’s just that too many from too many angles have felt justified in employing disrespectful words and tones during those conversations. There are far too many among us who still feel that “black people just need to understand” — or “white people just need to understand.” We can’t elevate the respect and admiration for one people group by first putting all onus on another.
As we again celebrate Black History Month, we have opportunity to continue an ongoing, constructive dialogue, celebrating the abundant, positive contributions by African-Americans to society. Yet I find the conversation challenging when race is inserted into conversations where it doesn’t belong. Jackie Robinson West is not the first team to be stripped of their title; Zamboanga City was disqualified and stripped of its 1992 title, also because of ineligible players on their roster.
Note the words of Karen Lewis, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union, who like the Intramuralist, feels bad for these young kids. She goes a step further, however, in her insertion of race into the conversation: “I stand with parents, youth, teachers and community members who are outraged by this Black History month smack in the face by people with no regard for the young lives impacted by this. Jackie Robinson West should retain its title, be issued an apology, and every player should receive full-ride scholarships for college sponsored by the people who have humiliated these boys, their families and their community.”
It is hard to have a sincere, respectful conversation about race — a conversation where blame is minimized, humility is maximized, and emotional responses are somewhat tamed. It’s harder still, perhaps, when our children must pay for our mistakes.
Respectfully…
AR