A little local news from the (un)Sunshine State....
Bobby Bowden, the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, has been awarded by a local politician (and to describe him, crooked) an award named after the beloved civil rights leader. What does an aging racist pig have in common with MLK? Nothing as far as logic will connect.
[btw, I changed the title to this diary as "racist pig" may have been too strong for some]
Bobby Bowden, the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, has been awarded by a local politician (and to describe him, crooked) an award named after the beloved civil rights leader. What does an aging (fill in the blank) have in common with MLK? Nothing as far as logic will connect. But, somehow, in an effort for Bill Proctor to keep his name in the public limelight, Bobby Bowden is awarded for his "economic contribution" to the African-American community at large. I'm sorry, but exactly how does the "boys will be boys" mentality fit in with encouraging his athletes to strive for a better tomorrow? So, his former players who made it big are rich. Isn't that more of the NFL's doing than Mr. Bowden's? And how about the shady history (past and present) of the "boys" under his watchful, if bleary, gaze? Hmmm... check fraud, domestic disturbances, rape, low graduation rates (ask Mr. Sanders how his finals were on his last week of attendance at FSU)... I don't see that as a service to the Afr-Amer community. I see that as encouraging lax rules for a 'win it at any cost' logic. If Mr. Bowden were to really embody what MLK stood for, he'd
- learn his players names instead of refering to them as "boy". They are, after all, human beings.
- hire more minority coaches and staff. No, your sons don't count, Mr. Bowden.
- encourage the student athletes to finish their educations
- actually donate some money to the community, minority organizations, or ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!
Here is part of the original news article, though you'd have to pay for the whole thing.
Proctor wants to praise Bowden
January 3, 2006 * 611 words * ID: tal10565109
"His MLK proposal draws skepticism Among the events planned to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday every year is an annual awards ceremony initiated by Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor. But this year, one name on Proctor's list is already raising a few eyebrows: Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden, recognized in the "economic development" category. "Coach Bowden is being recognized for economic.... "
A little background on Bill Proctor....in 2004 he ran his aide against an incumbent state representative. The aide lost. Did this aide have political aspirations that Proctor was honorably supporting? No, he did it just to tick off the incumbent Rep. Whadda guy!
Also printed in the Tallahassee Democrat:
Why give awards to Bowden and Foutz?
Re: "Proctor wants to praise Bowden" (letters, Jan. 3).
http://www.tallahassee.com/...