How Much Have Times Changed?
In 1961 the PGA, eliminated Article 3 (which stated "that members must be of Caucasian race") from its constitution; thereby "officially" prohibiting segregation. Today, 46 years later, how prevalent are instances of racial discrimination on golf courses throughout the country?
17 comments:
times have changed tremendously, but on some courses, the feeling of not being welcome for people of color remains
It seems that most golfers of color still don't belong to a private club, but instead choose to support semi-private or public courses. It's perhaps more an issue of feeling welcome than financial resources.
IT IS NOT COLOR, BUT BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SOME OTHER PEOPLE, IF TOO MANY OF A CERTAIN RACE, RELIGION OR ETHNICITY BEHAVE BADLY, THEN THE WHOLE GROUP SUFFERS WITH A NAME THAT IS OFFENSIVE. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE LITANY OF RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS EPITHETS, AND MOST ARE INFREQUENTLY HEARD TODAY, BUT ONE PERSISTS--AND IT IS BECAUSE OF BEHAVIOR-NOTHING ELSE. NOBODY CALLS A RESPONSIBLE, LAW ABIDING, EDUCATED MAN BY THE "N" WORD .
not true, it is far too often that all blacks are referred by the 'n' word -- educated or not. remember the old joke..."what do white people call the wealthy, college-educated black man?" ..."n****r"
As a former Tennis Director in Vicksburg, MS I can say that it was like going back in time. All the members were white and all the workers were black. This was made even more evident when I brought my blond blue eyed sister and her black husband from Belize to dinner at the club. I was taken aside by the manager and asked to leave. I quit that day as well.
Racism is a live and well in the USA especially in the South.
I really don't believe much has changed. We just have the money and the patience to deal with it a bit better.
I am troubled that your question begins with a falsehood. In November 1961 the PGA changed its constitution to allow non-white members and in 1967 they added a business school degree as a requirement for membership.
Today, as much has changed as has remained the same. I do not believe that there are 100 Black members of the PGA. Some staff at private and semi-private (day-rate) clubs I have played at have given me the feeling that they are not happy to see me, while staff at public courses have been generally less surly.
In the past six months I have played in two foreign countries and five states. In the USA, it depends on what part of the country you are in!
Guyr, although you've possibly provided some additional texture on the issue, it still sounds like times haven't changed much. How can we bring about change?
I am sorry to say that racism will never go away. Especially in golf.
Tiger Woods has changed the face of golf, but its only the face. What about the body of golf? It is still a game that is mostly played by higher income and caucasian. Just because Tiger has dominated the game the last 10 years, does not mean, that everybody (black or white)is going to fall in love with the game. Its only a game.
And we have to provide opportunites for all us to play.
When given the opportunity to play on private courses in the northeast I was treated with respect and professionalism. But it's important to conduct oneself with the proper course etiquette at a private course; don't change in the parking lot - use the locker room, replace divots or sand them, tip accordingly...do your homework before going to a private course, so that you leave a positive impression. The staff at the clubs will be watching your conduct, as well as your game. And of course, do the same at any course that provides the facilities....
Unfortunately, people of color have to do twice as well in most endeavors, and have to figuratively "check over their shoulders" anyway.
Golfqt is right... "We just have the money and the patience to deal with it a bit better".
Anonymous says "we have to provide opportunites for all us to play."
So do the Magic Johnsons, Jordans, Stanley O'Neals etc. go into the business of creating private golf clubs???
clubs tend to be snooty, but times are changing as younger people join.
I have had the pleasure to play some amazing private courses because of some great friends. I agree with Eagleman (remind me not to play with you for money)I did my homework before I stepped on the grounds. I was polite, I tipped well even when I was told by the member not to. I just did it discretely. I repaired all of my divots as well as others (your supposed to leave the course in better shape than when you arrived.
We have to be mindful of one thing, we (people of color)whether we like it or not are judged by the actions of a few, GOOD OR BAD.
Mind your actions and reprent the masses in a positive way.
Stay safe and hit them straight.
In roads have been made and some barriers have been broken but racism still runs deep in golf. Private clubs are driven by their members and as long as people harbour prejudice so will it be in golf.
There is a “massage” technique called Rolfing and it involves digging in so deep that it actually tears the fascia which is a connective tissue that surrounds the muscles. It is painful but it allows the body to correctly regrow back into its proper shape after a lifetime of bad posture and bad habits.
I think America, the PGA and people as a whole need to be metaphorically Rolfed so that we can grow taller and stronger. It might be painful but in the end I think we would be the better for it.
Expectations and Requirements do not always convey discrimination. I am a tall, slender white man who wears jeans to church but would never wear them to the golf course! I always wear slacks or dress shorts. My favorite golf partner also "dresses up" more to go golfing than he does for church ...... and he is an average height, overweight, bald black man...... who just also happens to be my church's pastor! I do not see golf attire and behavior as a racial issue but to be more of expectation.... and those epectations change as locale changes. Racism exists....but so do expectations.... and the two are not necessarily related.
times have changed a lot. i often wonder why there are fewer blacks on the pga tour today than there were in the 60's and 70's. some private clubs still are overflowing with the same racist spirit that was there before exclusion of the caucasion only clause. GOD Bless and much repect and gratitude to Mr.(Lord) Charles Sifford.
Our predecessors had to endure much more than the "subtle" hints of today... as they did then we should continue to do today-RISE above and adapt! Just as you find on most courses, the fairways are much wider than imagine from tee box.
I think it is misleading to address questions of racism within a given sport. If there is racism in America, then there is racism in golf, basketball, baseball, jacks tidily winks and Scrabble. Racist attitudes and behavior vary based on many variables including education and social status. As golf has been adopted by a wider demographic, the perception is that the game has become more inclusive and less racist. This is probably true. That doesn't mean however that those golfers and golf officials who were racists yesterday are something different today.
Responding to Joel feels like a complete non sequitur, but it also feels necessary. The very fact that the behavior of an individual can reflect on his/her race is proof that racism is alive and well. If Joel thinks this is fair, then he has accepted a racist construct. When white people behave badly, other white people are likely to attribute their behavior to factors like education, class, or even the offender's home town. So why is my race viewed as a causal factor?
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