In ancient times, The Romans thought themselves superior to the Galicians. The Huns thought themselves superior to the Romans. The Persians thought themselves superior to the Huns, and so on. Each group believed in their heart that they were bigger, stronger, better...superior to the other group and thus when engaged in combat would win because to be born other then themselves was to be born inferior.
As the centuries passed, Hitler took power in Germany and convinced a nation that simply by being born Aryan they were destined to control the world...every other group was born weak and thus should be made submissive.
These weren't just thoughts, these were passionate, intense beliefs that each group fought to the death for. And death is what they got, because each one of these groups suffered catastrophic defeat and were themselves brought down by the sword.
If history has shown us anything, it's that you can never make judgments based on color, religion, or any other typical stereotypes. In every single instance, there's always an exception that can be found. You underestimate an individual based on what "group" he belongs to, and you just set yourself up for failure. That means you are taking your opponent lightly not because of sound objectivity but because of racial or religious ignorance and bias. Every single human being is separate, his own man or woman, and can't and shouldn't be categorized.
Finally, this brings me to Bernard Hopkins. In a press conference hyping the April showdown between Hopkins and Wales bred Joe Calzaghe, Ole' Bernard said that he would never lose to a "white boy". He stated further to print it, shout it, announce it; he would never lose to a "white boy". Never mind the fact that Calzaghe is in his mid-30's, he still gets called a boy. Ask yourself, if someone calls you a "boy" what would your reaction be?
Well, we know Bernard is definitely no history buff, because if he were, he would comprehend what has happened to groups and individuals that underestimate based on color. Nothing good.
Before his statement, I was picking and rooting for Bernard all the way. I don't like the way Calzaghe wins, simply by throwing a lot of punches that have absolutely no power. I respected Bernard Hopkins. He was born with nothing and became a millionaire, he followed his dream and broke down all barriers, including the barriers of a jail cell, and accomplished his mission.
Bernard could appeal to the population as a whole; he wasn't just embraced by black people. Old white men could watch a 43 year old man defeat a younger guy, outfight and outthink someone 15 yrs his junior. They could look at Bernard and say, "Just because I'm in my 40's doesn't mean life is over...look at Bernard Hopkins!" Bernard was showing EVERYONE that age is just a number, that we as people can do what we put our mind to do, regardless of the fact that the majority of people tell us otherwise.
What an impact Bernard was proving to have, not on the "black race" but on the "human race". Bernard could have played a key role in bringing people together, instead of pushing people apart. Pulling people together is special; it takes a unique, blessed individual to do that. Anybody with a loud mouth can push people apart.
I don't know Bernard Hopkins, so I won't speculate as to his true intentions. But the statement he made during that press conference was certainly racist. He chose to go down the same road as the Romans, the Persians, the Germans...and judge someone based on color and race, based on what group they were born into...a group they had no control over being born into.
Come April when I watch the fight, I will watch it with the same intensity as black individuals who listened on the radio to the Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling bout in 1938. What was at stake then is at stake now. Knowledge vs. ignorance.
I hope Calzaghe proves Bernard wrong just like Joe Louis proved Hitler wrong. Like the Russians proved the Germans wrong. Like the Huns proved the Romans wrong. Were it Kelly Pavlik fighting Hopkins, I wouldn't have to hope. I would know.
Now how can I "know" that? Isn't that the same thing as Bernard Hopkins "knowing" that he would never lose to a "white boy"? No it's not. The difference is I'm not basing my belief on color. I believe Pavlik would win not because he's white, but because he's the man that beat Hopkins not once but twice. Jermain Taylor, was in turn handled convincingly by Pavlik.
Bernard Hopkins might defeat Calzaghe. He could fight the fight of his life; perform to the maximum of his potential. And that won't change a thing. If he doesn't denounce what he said, he'll be a really good boxer, and a really bad person.
I understand that I may be the first white person allowed on this site. If this is true, thank you for allowing me on. I hope you understand that my blood is the same color as your blood and one day I'll die just like you'll die.
And when the time comes that we face God, I promise you one thing. God's not going to care whether we're white or black.
Peace be to you.
Wait a minute first off I thought this was "BlackSportsOnline" secondly you are taking what Bernard said way to serious. This is boxing Muhammed Ali called Joe Frazier a monkey and Joe Louis an Uncle Tom where are the articles about that. Bernard Hopkins is hyping a fight. Stop being so sensitive mr. sutherland
Yes I said it and I will beat any white man in America right now.
Maybe if this happened in the NFL, NBA or MLB it would be an issue, but come on JP this is boxing you can't take any of these guys to serious. Mike Tyson said he would eat children sorry I see what you are saying, but I think you are thinking too much.
its a black thing ,white could never undertsand, but to get a little insight they need to go back into american history back to when they usedta consider us as non-people, inferior and not intelligent, U know the bad old good old days for white people!
It is the same way black people can use the N-Word but if you use it JP you would get beat down.
Calzaghe will never lose to a black boy. Especially an american black boy.
Shut your mouth Cobravenom you probably from France you punk.
Why does everything have to be about race just shut up.
What's the matter BRO? Hopkins says white boy and that's ok? But I say black boy now that's offensive. Hypocracy at it's finest.
terrible, terrible article. horrible comparisons, and the blogger (I hesitate to call him a writer) knows very little about boxing.
Cobravenom,
The difference in a black man calling a white man a white boy is the fact that the white man was never a slave in this country, he was never denied reading because it was illegal to him, he was never lynched in this country, he was never told he couldn't go to that restroom because it is for whites only. That is the difference. And the reason race is such an issue in America is because white america wants to sweep it under the rug as if someone just simply "stole our bikes" instead of making us sub-human and denying us rights that you people would gladly give a dog. That is the difference cobravenom.
And until you all recognize the extent of the hurt and pain that black people had to indure in this country or until you walk in those black shoes and is called a n$gg#, and have to move out of your seat to the back of the bus so that a "pure white man" can have a seat, you need to chill on the reverse racism. How can you dismiss something (racism) that people are still experiencing today!!! Only someone white and ignorant would even make the statment you made.
To Cormega,
I believe you would have to ask white america why is everything about race because they are the people who are responsible for everything being about race. When they brought us over here on those slave ships from Africa, when we stepped off of those ships on to American soil, they let us know from minute one that we were different, that we were inferior, that we were gonna be pickin cotton in the fields so that they could benefit and live better from it, and all because our skin was dark. So, you should ask the people who put those rules into effect why everything is about race. As much as black people have struggled in this country and died in this country you can't believe that we wanted it that way.
Very well said on both points Dee Dee
Dee Dee, not for nothing, but Hopkins DID bring up the race card. HE was the one that started with all that "I'll never let a whiteboy beat me" crap.
It is very obvious that this JP guy is just trying to stir up trouble with this article.
Wow, these comments are hilarious... so biased.
Can you even imagine if it was Calzaghe that said that about a black person??
Do you honestly think you same people that are defending Hopkins would let it slide as "oh he is just trying to hype a fight"?? Not even close.
The sad part is, as stupid as Cobravenom's post was about "never losing to a black boy", it did expose just how narrow minded most of the people defending Hopkins are being about this, as they went right into defense mode... It's amazing!
And for Dee Dee, my deepest apologies. I didn't realize that it is ok for your race to make condescending remarks like "white boy" about us but we can't say anything back because we weren't slaves. That makes a ton of sense. Two wrongs don't make a right buddy.
And for the record, YOU never lived through the slavery, YOU never suffered... your forefathers did... And what about our forefathers that fought for your forefathers freedom? Did you ever think of that? Or are we just all "devils"?
JHurt or you really JP if so why are you hiding behind another screen name? None of the other writers do that? If that is you. It sounds like your feelings are hurt
No I'm not JP. In fact I think the article is garbage and I think most of these comments are garbage and extremely biased... although I should expect these types of comments coming from "blacksportsonline.com"
I'm still chuckling to myself that this website even exists. Double standard. Comical.
He may not lose to a White boy. I hope any self respecting man would not get beat up by a white boy (12 years and younger. But I bet he wouldn't have a problem packing any fudge, if the stories about his jailhouse days are true.
What are you talking about Jhurt a white man wrote the article. What more do you want for "blacksportsonline"? If a black person writes something you hate if someone white writes something you hate. You are just a hater and if you don't like the site then stop coming to it.
It is comical you bring up a double standard when it is a white writer who wrote the article. You sir are a clown
Lets be honest black people can say thing white people can't. I am white and I understand that and Mr. Sutherland you should too
Hold up wait, are people remebering that this is boxing? Hopkins understands marketing more than anyone and how the "race card" historically plays better in boxing than any other sport. This is the same man that insulted Tito's heritage, but apologized after the fight is over. Am I the only one who have any boxing historical perspective here?
Can't we all get along
I dont know if Bernard Hopkins wins this fight because Calzaghe is white. I do know that Bernard will win this fight, he is simply the superior fighter. It isnt even close.
Calzaghe is gonna get hurt.
Only in America
Lets go B-Hop... Philly stand up! Wasn't the right thing to say but you know how we (black guys) do. I remember in 6 grade one of my buls got dropped by a white dude and we to this day still never let him live it down. B-Hop is funny and he does thrive on winning the fight with stuff he says before the fight even starts. At the end of the day JP he's just promoting but lets just say he's not the only black guy to thinks this way. Right or wrong
Hopkins getting his assed whopped by a WHITE BOY!!!
Black people it is time for you all 2 get over slavery. It was years ago...MOVE ON!!! Yeah so your ancestors got persecuted, whipped, enslaved, raped etc, do i care??? NO!!! Just be thankful ur not the Jews because they had to deal with much worse!! And 4 all the black men who think they are stronger than white men-400 years of history proves you wrong!!
Hitler first tested his concentration camps on an african tribe named Hereros in Africa...
Add this shit to slavery and black men dealt with more of white bullshit than jews.The only reason white dumb people like you get ashamed of what happened to jews is because it was white people killing white people wildly.Actually everywhere than white man showed up other peoples where killed or near disappeared like in the american continent (indian descent),in australia (aborigens) or in africa.Slavery an colonisation are the biggest genocide ever commited by so called men on other human beings.
This have nothing to do with that dumb black american boxer but was much needed to shut that dumb mouth of the white brother-hater above...
All throughout history no one has ever been able to contend with the white man. Grass huts in Africa can't compare to castles in Europe around the same time. How come blacks have just never been able to get ahead? Why have they let the white man dominate them if they are so strong? Just think about it.
I am trying to keep from reading trash like this. Man, you are sick. How did this came to your mind?
I know dudes who come to internet for fun, just to meet some new people and talk with them. I’m one of those.
Anyone this day in age who thinks they have any more rights than another race is the source of keeping our country segregated... congratulations. Black or white, if you're racist, you're pathetic, weak, scared and a virus on our planet.
Trying to cross-over are we Littal??? This is BLACK sports online take that weak ish over to a ESPN board.
Are we in the land that dignified and coherent literacy forgot?