In today’s world, schools all across the country struggle to find diversity inside white dominated schools. Schools like New Trier have over 80% of their students being white. This leaves the other races to be isolated and in some cases tormented for having a different skin color then the majority of students. Mecca is a city in the western part of Saudi Arabia, where only Muslims are allowed in the city’s limits. Ta-Nehisi Coates refers to Howard University as the Mecca because of the opportunity it gives African Americans to get a great education and feel comfortable being surrounded with students of the same race. Coates, “was admitted to Howard University, but formed and shaped by the Mecca… I saw everything I knew from my black self multiplied out into seemingly endless variations” (p.40). During Coates’ first day on campus, he was amazed to see many other African American students that were just like him. Howard has always, “held a commitment to the study of disadvantaged persons in American society and throughout the world. The goal is the elimination of inequities related to race, color, social, economic and political circumstances. As the only truly comprehensive predominantly Black university, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society” (Howard.edu). Howard actively fights against the disadvantages African American students are challenged with in our society. They offer Howard as a place for the students to earn an education in a safe work environment. I believe this is why Prince Jones selected Howard as his college of choice. Prince could have gotten into some of the most prestigious schools in the world but, “Prince did not apply to Harvard, nor Princeton, nor Yale, nor Colombia, nor Stanford. He only wanted the Mecca” (p.142). Prince Jones knew that at schools like Stanford and Yale, he would stick out and not be accepted by other students because of his race. At Howard however, he would not have to worry about trying to fit in with majority white students, but rather on becoming the best student he can be and obtain a very prestigious college degree. That is a big concern for African American students. But, “Here at The Mecca, we are without fear, we are the dark spectrum on the parade”(p.57).
Monday, December 9, 2019
Monday, October 7, 2019
Many people believe that the National Basketball Association value the talent within the league and the amount of people watching the games. However, I believe that the NBA values the rights of their players and though events, expanding their brand to other countries.
One of the ways the NBA protects the rights of their athletes, is by forming organizations like the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). When the NBPA was founded in 1954, its main goal was to, “ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court.” This association has proven successful because before the NBPA there was no minimum wage, pension plan, meal money, or health benefits for the players though the NBA. Additionally, the average salary in the league was only eight thousand dollars. The NBPA challenged the NBA and protected the players in the league by looking out for their well being. Additionally, the NBPA provides the players with opportunities off the court like, “executive leadership roles, to team representative positions, global community outreach initiatives… to get involved with democratic institution.”
One of the other important things that the NBA emphasizes is expanding their brand into other countries around the world. When the NBA first started, the league was composed of mostly American born players. Now, the NBA has become more diverse and last year’s opening day, 108 foreign born players checked in to the game. Also, every team in the league had a non-American player on the roster. Additionally, every year during the NBA Allstar Break, a game is held where rookies and second year players play a game of the USA vs World. This game is important because it promotes diversity within the league. Events like these continue to allow the NBA to become a global brand and continue becoming a globally dominant business.
One of the ways the NBA protects the rights of their athletes, is by forming organizations like the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). When the NBPA was founded in 1954, its main goal was to, “ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist players in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court.” This association has proven successful because before the NBPA there was no minimum wage, pension plan, meal money, or health benefits for the players though the NBA. Additionally, the average salary in the league was only eight thousand dollars. The NBPA challenged the NBA and protected the players in the league by looking out for their well being. Additionally, the NBPA provides the players with opportunities off the court like, “executive leadership roles, to team representative positions, global community outreach initiatives… to get involved with democratic institution.”
One of the other important things that the NBA emphasizes is expanding their brand into other countries around the world. When the NBA first started, the league was composed of mostly American born players. Now, the NBA has become more diverse and last year’s opening day, 108 foreign born players checked in to the game. Also, every team in the league had a non-American player on the roster. Additionally, every year during the NBA Allstar Break, a game is held where rookies and second year players play a game of the USA vs World. This game is important because it promotes diversity within the league. Events like these continue to allow the NBA to become a global brand and continue becoming a globally dominant business.
Friday, September 13, 2019
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