THE BLACK STATE OF THE UNION

Gary Norris Gray
1/31/05

President George W. Bush will stand before the American people and deliver the State of the Union address January 31. This will give him an opportunity to present his political agenda in 2005. However, there will be a segment of the population that will not be addressed. That segment is THE BLACK STATE OF THE UNION

Undoubtedly African Americans need to state their agenda for the coming year. And need to hear the resounding call of  "THE TORCH IS BEING PASSED." In 1965 each NBA team had no more then three African American players--Bill Russell (Boston Celtics), Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia Warriors, 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers), and Nat Thurman (San Francisco Warriors) were the only known African American stars. Now the NBA is 75% African American, and because of that increase, Black, Asian, and Latino children are now wearing Black athlete’s numbers and jerseys. Those children now hope that some day they too may be on an NBA team.

THE TORCH IS BEING PASSED !

In 1965, not a single professional football team had an African American quarterback. This year (2005) seven all-star quarterbacks lead their teams to victories and playoffs. It is interesting to note that two Black quarterbacks: Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons) and Donavan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) played for the National Conference Title.

Also note that a Black Quarterback will return to the Super Bowl almost twenty years later, THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED from Super Bowl winner Doug Williams (Washington Redskins) to Philadelphia Eagle star quarterback Donavan McNabb.

In 1965, not a single African America had the coaching job in Major League Baseball. This year there will be four Black skippers (HEAD COACH) in baseball dugouts. THE TORCH IS BEING PASSED from Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) to Dusty Baker head coach of the Chicago Cubs.

On the tennis courts we recall Althea Gibson was the first Black Tennis champion in the late 1940’s and middle 50’s. Gibson PASSED THE TORCH to the Williams sisters. Gibson was never the recipient of the admiration and adjuration from White American tennis fans as the Williams sisters receive today. Serena and Venus can and will pursue different carriers unlike Gibson.

Forty years ago there were only two African American actors and actresses, Bill Cosby, starring in "I Spy", and Diana Carroll starring in "Julia." White American viewed these two television shows and thought that this was the way Black people thought and acted.

The cinematic torch has been passed from "Blaxploitation Films" like "Super Fly,"  "Foxy Brown," "Across 110^th Street," "Five on the Black hand Side," "Coffy," and "Blacula," to real life African American Stories. Old school actors and actresses like Sidney Porter, Ossie Davis, Harry Belafonte, Eartha Kitt, Lena Horn, Cicely Tyson, Pam Grier, Louis Gossett, Jr., Nipsy Russell, etc., have passed the torch to  Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheedle, Cuba Gooding Jr., Wesley Snips, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Vivica A Fox, Halle Berry, Nia Long, Gabellie Union and the talented Wayans Brother and sister team.

Also three strong African American males are now behind the camera directing movies. This was unthinkable forty years ago. Bill Cosby, Spike Lee, and F. Gary Gray (no relations) are now leading the way.

This year’s top movies stared African Americans in Ray, Fat Albert, and Coach Carter. These movies send a positive message about being an African American in the United States. Certainly, this is a message that needs to be promoted in every African American home.

THE TORCH IS BEING PASSED!

[To be continued]