It's a "not-from-this-country-thing" for Christ's Sake!

I hate to respond to my own post, but after re-reading what Vipam said in the KK thread, I think I need to post a little something extra with a settled down mindset.

The bottom line is this: The ratio of white US distance runners to ethnic of some sort is very high. To point out a handful (yes - literally 3 or less - as you displayed in your posts) of 'black' athletes and say they aren't getting enough praise because of their skin is ridiculous.

If you think they deserve more attention, fine that is your opinion...but to accuse other people of something as serious as being racist (even slightly) because they may not feel the same way is wrong.

Peace.

Okay Jasonia

Your right-Paula is an American that why she get praised so

and no other woman runs nearly as fast as she.

Gete Wami pr from 2001 14:30.88/Paula's 14:31.42

And Khalid is still a foreigner. Okay so when will a black regaedless of his country recieve such media attention and fan praise. Worthy candidates:

Wilson Kipketer

Hicham

Geb

Sammy Kipketer

Stephen Cherono

Khalid Khannouchi

Gete Wami

none of them recieve even 2% of Paula's media or fan support, dispite SOME of them having far greater accomplishments than her. Paula's GREAT but she isn't the best runner in the world and THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

Vipam

a) Paula is getting all the praise because she is beating the shit out of the other top women in the MARATHON, not the 5K...so though you posted that 5K comparison, it is irrelevant here.

b) No, Khalid is technically not a foriegner anymore. Would you like to start up a thread about him so he 'gets some attention?' HE'S THE F-ING WORLD RECORD HOLDER, HE GETS PLENTY OF ATTENTION...should I start a Khalid vs. Webb vs. Ritz debate on this board so he 'gets praise?'

c) Do you really think the black males that you listed don't recieve praise? How long have you been on internet running sites? They are the kings, they get attention. They are awesome, everyone knows that, why does it matter if we start threads saying "Man, that Geb sure can roll!" or "Man, Kipketer is great at that 800!"?

maybe im a little slow here....what the hell is your argument? im not disagreeing with anything you say...but whats your point

It was more of a response to other threads than a new thought on my part.

Someone on the board is claiming that black distance runners don't get the attention they deserve. The claim is that the people on this board don't give the black athletes praise - only the white athletes.

I find this ridiculous, and am trying to explain that it is a 'where they're originally from' thing. As others have explained in the other threads, the fact that a runner was born and raised here - as apposed to being established when arriving in the US - will yield more praise from US fans...it's nothing personal or race-related.

But with someone like the accuser, you have to be careful and say "I know Paula is not an American - but she is dominating the marathon, running a time that is far ahead of the other women - and is doing so after years of frustration from being beaten at the end of track races."

Maybe white-man can't jump, but when they do they are applauded more.

I agree with you Vipam!

Remember I have been stating this for awhile on this site.

It seems as though yet a few others have noticed this as well.

Not everyone speaks about this but believe me others "runners" have noticed this as well.

Vipam,

You could not be more backwards. KK is the best marathoner in the world. However, as an american, I do not appreciate him. We were told that becoming an american was more important to him than anything else. He said that he wanted to represent the US in the 2000 Olympics and then made the decision to not run in the trials because of injury. He however did run money races during his injury. He has had several chances to run and represent his country in other events but decided against. Please don't tell me that the World half marathon is below him as Tergat and Geb have won it in two of the last 4 years. He has represented our country one time. He has yet to finish a race in a USA uniform. My father is a black man before you label me a racist. I suppose that Seneca's actions this summer were blown out of proportion because he is black. I also believe that OJ was guilty. Does that make me an Uncle Tom.

You're right. Carl Lewis wasn't a media god. Nor was Flo-Jo. Nor Marion Jones. Nor Zola Bud.

So, the whitey's are cheering for a whitey. So what. Are you suggesting that black people don't cheer more enthusiatically for black people? People are always going to favor their own ethnic or racial background. It becomes a problem when one prejudges a particular group based on these characteristics, not when one cheers for a group more than another.

I'm part white and part Indian--I cheer for white over blacks all the time--except it it's a jewish white. I root for asians over blacks. I root for all races against jews.

Go Palestinians!!!!

Are those the same Palestinians that were cheering on 9/11?

If you think race isnt an issue your dreaming. Just look at the flack KKs getting, whereas almost nothing has been said negatively about Coleen de Reuck. Why? Is she more American? Obviously.

Think Meb and Abdi are getting the praise they deserve?

Think we'd be so excited if Ndereba had rebroken the womens WR instead of Paula?

Ever flipped thru the race results section in Runners World and other publications? You'd think almost every race had a white winner, they're almost excluding pics of Africans crossing the line. A brief mention will be made of the mens winner while someone elses pic will be featured in the article. When was the last time you saw an African on the cover or a running mag? Guess they just dont cut it, huh?

Get real

K

Whities make up the majority of people in America, therefore more whities will be depicted in media, including running mags. I'm sorry that as a whitey, I will pull for the whitey more often. That doesn't mean I'm racist or that, that practice is wrong.

Conversely, don't pretend that in Kenya, or Morocco, or South Africa that their publications would be biased as well. They'd be pulling for their own. And I can live with that.

Life isn't fair and neither is popularity. There may be some ethnic bias but, Americans tend to like athletes with personality. If race were the predominant issue, then Tiger Woods, Shaq, Marshall Faulk, and Michael Jordan would have virtually no fans.

We tend to like athletes who are charismatic and / or articulate. The Africans are great athletes but their limited English skills don't make for good copy. This isn't their fault but, most folks want something beyond "I felt good today and run very fast." KK is a reserved and quiet man. Most runners tend to be. The press likes a Charles Barkley type who will say something outrageous or someone really attractive (read: muscular or gorgeous). Most runners don't fit either description.

The catman is cool. Please tell more.

Is the Catman half peace pipe smoking Indian or the kind that says "please kind sir I'm begging your pardon where can I get some curry"

pot smoking should be legalized--we live in the land of the free--but with too many chains