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Tiger Woods and
The Au
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Kluxers down on Broad Street. In fact,
the variety of racism practiced by the
typical Augustan from 1934 to 1974 was
probably more virulent than the fat cats
at the Augusta National could hopetobe.
Thfe joy that so many African Ameri
cans and probably Asian Americans feel
at Tiger’s dismantling of the “holiest of
the holy” shrines of the golf world is due
to the fact that, rightly or wrongly, the
Masters Tournament is widely viewed
among minorities as a symbol of racial
oppression. The ugly little logo that
adorns Masters Tournament parapher
nalia may as well be the Confederate flag
as far as racist symbols are concerned.
Apologists for the Augusta National —
and there are plenty — will go so far as to
suggest that no one has ever been denied
the “privilege” of competing in the Mas
ters Tournament because of the color of
their skin. They will tell you the only
reason nonwhites were absent for forty
years in competitive play (Lee Elder was
the first black ever invited to play in
1975) is because they couldn’t find any
blacks qualified enough. What a familiar
refrain.,
Perhaps Tiger’s feat at the Masters
could have been performed decades ago if
blacks had been able to compete among
the best. In 1943, the PGA amended its
constitution to specifically deny blacks.
Known as the Caucasian Clause, it read:
“Professional golfers of the Caucasian
Race, over the age of eighteen years,
residingin North or South America, who
can qualify under the terms and condi
tions hereinafter specified, shall be eli
gible for membership.”
Clifford Roberts, the dictatorial cave
man who blew his brains out on the golf
course, set the tone from the very begin
ning with his statement that, as long as
he lived, there would be notl_;in'%,gt the
Masters except black caddies and white
golfers. . .
Perhaps it was Charles Sifford, the
best golfer of his day who best character
ized the racial bias at Augusta. Sifford
wrote in his book, I Just Wanted To Play,
“One of the great disillusions of my life in
golf is that the Masters has become a
tournament so revered by golf fans and
media, with all the fanfare on television
every year when it’s played. As far as ’'m
concerned, it has long been the most
racist and hateful spot on the golf
globe...l'm positive that they changed
their rules more than once to exclude me
from playing, because for many years I
was the only Black man good enough on
the PGA Tour to come close to gettingan
automatic bid. Quite simply, they didn’t
want. a Black, specifically me, on their
golf course. The most prestigious golf
course and tournament in America were
also the most conniving and the mean
est.”
But what about membership in the
Augusta National. Could it be that into
LOCAL FORUM
An appeal to citizens:
We cannot tolerate racist cops
This appeal is not to the black com
munity who watches in denial as the
main stream media perverts our im
age.
However, this appeal goes out to:
the other black community, the con
scious one that understands police
brutality against any one of us is a
threat to all of us; black ministers
that go outside of their church doors
to work on the needs of our commu
nity; black elected officials who did
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Tiger Woods set 10 Masters records on April 13, 1997 on his way to
becoming only the first African American golfer to win the tournament at
the Augusta National. His 18-under par 270, broke the old mark held by
Jack Nicklaus and Ray Floyd. Woods became the youngest Masters win
ner and the golfer to win by the largest margin (12 strokes). AP Photo.
“One of the great disillusions of my life in golf is
that the Masters has become a tournament so re
vered by golf fans and media, with all the fanfare
on television every year when it’s played. As far as
I'm concerned, it has long been the most racist and
hateful spot on the golf globe.”
— Charles Sifford, professional black golfer.
the 1990 s no qualified blacks could be
located with money enough, classenough,
culture enough to be invited? The truth
is, like most private golf clubs in the
nation, the Augusta National was a rac
ist, sexist club.
At last count there were two black
members, Ronald Townsend, president
of Gannett Television Group and Bill
Simms, president of the Reinsurance
Division of Transamerica Occidental Life
in Charlotte, North Carolina, and part
owner of the National Football League’s
Carolina Panthers.
Townsend was issued a hurried invita
tion in 1991 in the wake of the Shoal
Creek Golf Club controversy that rocked
not remove the black from the elected;
black public service officers who
stand up and report racist behavior
in their departments; and the con
science of the American people who
recognize that all white people are
not racist and that all black people
are not criminals. We must not toler
ate racist cops. The consequences
are too severe.
Racist-type police officers have cre
ated in our communities a distrust
m FOCUS on some fine food! Visit BL'’s at
LGP 1117 Laney Walker Blvd.
A Closer Look
the PGAintothe twentieth century. Sud
denly racism was no longer cool — at
least not the high profile variety.
As the Augusta National ponders its
future, and as Tiger sets about in his
quest to be the first golfer in history to
win all four majors in a single year, the
golf establishment will go through a pe
riod of adjustment. Only time will tell if
Tiger’s accomplishments so ignites the
imagination of young minority children
that they flock in huge numbers to the
nation’s golf courses. But if Tiger never
swings another club, it will be enough
that he humbled the “gentlemen” at the
Augusta National.
and a fear mentality in our youth and
our institutions seem non-responsive
to their needs.
This appeal is to God ... to have
mercy on America. With woe comes
the future that we are creating.
Unless right now, all conscious
Americans take up the human issues
of unfair treatment: for the inmates
have taken over the asylum.
Bert Maxwell
Augusta, Georgia
LETTERS
For whom does the
bell of victimization toll?
This week is National Crime Victims
Rights week in America. Proclaimed by
the President and Governors across our
country, the theme for this special com
memoration is “Let Victims Rights Ring
Across America.” It is a special week
dedicated to those that have been injured
and killed by criminal victimization. It is
also a time to recognize and reflect upon
the many accomplishments on the local,
state, and federal levels that have im
proved rights and services extended to
crime victims in our nation.
For whom does the bell of victimiza
tion toll? Each year in America, nearly 39
million individuals become victims of
Tiger shocks the good ol’
boys of Augusta National
Sometimes it’s good to get old and see
history in the making. Even though I
was born in Augusta, I was raised in
Washington, D.C. soevery year watching
the Masters on television was like being
at home. And there are two things that
stick out in my mind taday that Tiger
Woods’ win madebetter. One was Clifford
Robertson saying, “Them boys can really
sing good” about the caddy quartet on
TVin 1960 during an interview. Also the
incident with CBS reporter Hayward
Haile Broom when Clifford Robertson
had him barred from the Masters be
cause he brought up the question about
African Americans playing at the Mas
ters. Well today, those memories are
turned into positives. The Good Old Boy
system has once again been invaded, and
this time by two for the price of one.
Tiger is African American and Asian.
Clifford Robertson take that! Sure Lee
FOCUS IN SOUTH CAROLINA By Lawrence E, Harrison
The educational rite of
passage is in full bloom
tudents preparing for the first
grade and high school seniors
ponderingtheir future are very
much in focus now. It is all
about the future, whether it is
a beginning step or a continu
ing one. For African Americans, it is
crucial.
Where does the preparationbegin? The
times have changed. Before, the first
formative years were absolutely forged
and shaped within home environments.
Today, that environment can be extended
in many directions. The very young
learn in all types of settings. The positive
ones are the ones we have to make more
available and inclusive. Thebeginningof
the “three Rs” once was enough, it is not
now. Kindergarten, full-day or what
ever, is an aged invention, not new. Our
modern requirement is to formalize it
and make it real-life, for that is definitely
the world the children of the 21st century
‘will find themselves in. As those who
‘care about them, we certainly can do no
less than that.
It is a matter of how prepared those
‘who are doing the preparing are them
‘selves. Yes, we certainly know that chil
‘dren cannot raise children; however, nei
‘ther can those who are not educated
‘educate, and those who are not included
Jlet society teach the lesson of inclusion.
The young are only as prepared as the
rest of society, in education or anything
‘else. The mistake is in finding a separa
‘tion when there is none. The whole
“village” not only has to do better, it has
to be better. It will be the best prepara
tion of all, for the child and for the future.
Education is never finite. Secondary
Fax your news to Augusta Focus at (706) 724-6969.
AUGUSTA FOCUS APRIL 17, 1997
crime. Sadly, statistics show that for over
half these victims, it is not the first time
they have been victimized, nor will it be
the last. Becoming a victim of crime has
become a right of passage in our violent
nation.
For example, the National Education
Association reports that each day im
America, 100,000 children carry guns to
school, 160,000 children miss class be
cause of the fear of being physically
harmed and 40 students are killed or
injured by firearms.
Barbara Thurmond
Blacks Against Black Crime
Augusta
Elder and Calvin Peete have played there.
But this time, you had to put that green
jacket on an Amerasian. Thank you Earl
Woods for raising a son that broke one of
the last barriers of racism and doing it
with dignity.
Nike has a chance to change the world
by coming out with Tiger Woods fashions
that do not have a number on the back
but collars on the shirts and pants that fit,
with belts.
The golfing industry has a chance to
introduce the game to a segment of the
population that has never given a darn
about it before, all because of one young'
21-year-old prodigy. Like the great Jackie-
Robertson, Tiger Woods’ name will for
ever be in the history books.
Go Tiger! Take that, good old boys. *
Jimmy Carter (
Augusta, Georgia :
education is just that, secondary, transi
tory. It is even more so now than it used
to be. The accomplishment is worthy of
praiseand congratulations, self-givenand
otherwise. The next step, however, goes
beyond a simple “Godspeed.” There are,
decisions to be made. The options are
many and varied. We can be thankful
they are for many more. ;
Technical and professional trainingare
blurred now, one crosses over into the
otheronereadily. Aninstitution of higher.
learning need not be labeled any one
particular kind. We can get the best
higher education to suit us wherever we,
may decide to pursue it. It need not only
be in a perfect world. It takes providing
resources, providing the will and resolve
to do so. That will and resolve was
fundamental for African Americans in
their quest for higher learning; it now
should and must be for all of society and
all of government. It is essential for the
future, the future of us all.
The world of 1997 does not define “ma
turity” as it once did. Wishing it was not
so will not make it so. The decisions of
the young (and the consequences), the
value system they have are of the times
and circumstances in which they live.
We cannot wholly impose ours, no mat
ter how we may want to. We can only
guide and suggest. It does not differ from
generation to generation. That is why
the spiritual and our relationship to it
remains important, the constant factor
that links us, in a world sorely in need of .
its truths. Spring does indeed bring
renewal and hope of things to come. Itis
of the young, but certainly not reserved
just for the young. |
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