But Trump said it wasn't racial. He didn't say ANYTHING about race. He's as pure as the driven snow, believe me, believe me.

Believe me.

Interesting article Charles But there is a brown "Jobs or Gates or Bezos" named Nadella worth noting.

Good Afternoon Charles,
Indeed, I agree with most of what you wrote. I am not sure I understand the sudden switch of the subject of over representation of African-American men in sports to hip-hop music and the decline of Black owned labels explaining this over representation.

But, I agree that it might not be a good thing. Especially considering your data regarding other professions. And I believe that the current great American tragedy is disproportionate Black-on-Black crime. Your last sentence was most unfortunate and largely true.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/us/vi…

BTW, here's an interesting take on the protests at yesterday's NFL games:

http://www.realclearlife.com/sports/alej…

Never heard of this guy until today.

I recall hearing something about how if black children/teens were encouraged to even shoot for a C grade average in school rather than focus on maximizing sports, they'd be vastly better off.

Wish I could remember where I heard that though...

One of your best Charles. Thank you.

Keep pretending it's not a cultural thing.

In Seattle, as in many metropolitan areas of the country, black talent IS encouraged and heavily recruited: I have seen this up close and personal for decades.. We're talking law, architecture, engineering, computer science, medical research, and university-level academia. Many schools and firms maintain and enforce strict anti-racial-harassment policies. So many people work hard to create a hospitable environment to encourage young black talent. Yes, you can always find some glib retort to dismiss this as mere window-dressing covering up the real "racist" within. It is not window-dressing. Obviously, challenges remain, and politicians like Trump exploit repressed white rage over perceived inner-city crime, rap culture, and ostensible government-sponsored favoritism towards minorities. That does not mean many millions of people in this society are not striving to create a better, more just world open to people of any color--and in EVERY field, including those considered "middle-class professional." Personally, I root like crazy for blacks to succeed in their chosen fields, and I know I am far from alone in this. Many thousands of teachers, guidance counselors, and coaches ARE encouraging blacks to succeed in non-athletic endeavors. Can they be given credit for once?!

David Canton's article brings up a number of great points. The result of globalization (the deindustrialization of the United States' largely unionized workforce) is exemplified in other ways by Major League baseball's cohort: A growing number of players from the Caribbean, South and Central America, Korea and Japan (Many Spanish-speaking players are of African descent, but that is not the point).

It's not too difficult to imagine why Black Americans may choose certain sports over others. The ease of participation, proximity to resources, time commitments, etc. Basketball requires only a ball, a few friends, a hoop and a few hundred square feet. Football is more capital-intensive, but urban schools provide an easy point of entry and youth leagues abound.

In the United States, baseball is increasingly suburban and rural past time. The game is a stilted, standabout time-suck, whose culture is turning into a hackneyed Country music song. The kids are choosing hip-hop, as would I.

Thank you, Charles.