Comments on: Dr. Boyce: Michael Johnson, Slavery and Sports – Why He’s on the Wrong Side of Being Right

By: Marvin Blades

Marvin Blades — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 04:08:03 +0000

The fact that these comments came from a truly elite African-American athlete has reopened this discussion lends the topic credibility. I’d personally like to see black academics take the lead in bringing real science to this discussion; thus revealing the actual impact that the institution of slavery had on African descendant blacks the world over.

I believe that slave merchants knew the economic benefits of selective breeding and used the practice to their benefit. These same men also knew that educating slaves would make these men and women who didn’t speak the language of the slavers more difficult to control. Educated and enlightened people cannot be successfully enslaved or controlled; therefore education of any type had to be limited or forbidden all together.

Michael Johnson’s comments simply reflected the beliefs of many; both white and black. For years these same beliefs kept whites from allowing blacks to compete with them on an equal footage out of a fear of black physical superiority. This discussion needs to be had.

By: Marquis Smalls

Marquis Smalls — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 18:20:43 +0000

I agree with you that “black people benefitted from Slavery” is a stretch but I do understand and applaud Mr. johnson for making his comments. In any situation there are always positives AND negatives. ANY action creates an equal and opposite reaction. So state the laws of physics and history. Your three reasons for why Mr. Johnson’s comments may put him on the side of “wrong” are troubling however. It is time that we stop worrying about scaring white people, because it is only us here inside America who are afraid. The rest of the world does not fear “white people” like the native African-American. The “benefit” comment I see as a dangerous way of describing it but we must admit that a number of Africans, did benefit from slavery which is why we have a black elite class that still to this day only looks out for the survival of their own “families” and “networks” but fails to reach back and effectively incorporate programs that help uplift the many masses who could use their help. The third “problem” you bring up is really not a problem at all. Why do WE care what others think anymore? Why do we still try to appease the master in this country? Again, the rest of the world doesn’t shuck and jive for the white man anymore so why do you insist we still do? Who cares what THEY think? We need to learn to care what WE think. And that’s all. So maybe Mr. Johnson’s comments will not be considered so “wrong” by the coming generations, scholars, critics, and historians as we continue to move further and further away from Slavery. Both the negatives and positives.

By: Phillip Battle

Phillip Battle — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:23:45 +0000

The most crippling nevertheless the so called genetic physical superiority of the African American– is the inability of the African American as well as many other people of color – is to have the intelligence to create their own value system and standards of living – I.e. using the European as a yard stick as to measure their achievements. People of color seems not to have the love of self,nor value the great history of themselves. Yes we as Africans who where physically abused- yet psychologically manipulated to the degree of not being able to own and employ one and other. That said,with the allowing of the so called immigrants to enter the USA and dominate the labor force- and will not hire an African American- we need to focus on more important issues.

By: Toni

Toni — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 02:19:03 +0000

You Go Michael…You are one bad man…I am proud of you and you keep on doing what you are doing because obviously you are doing it right.

By: Iesha

Iesha — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:10:14 +0000

@mina

i think you missed her point…dr. watkins did not use any research to justify his piece. do your homework, blacks do not dominate the medal count in the olmpics.

therefore, for dr. watkins to use the 100m (out of all the other events in the olympics) to justify his claim that black athletes are more superior is purely anedoctal and disengenious from someone who earned his phd by providing factural research.

no scientist will support his claim..enough said!

By: Lisa McDowell

Lisa McDowell — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:55:34 +0000

birds of a feather flock together…from your blog, i’m not surprised it was so easy for boyce to manipulate your uneducated a*s. maybe you should take a statistics and research class if you want to get off of the short bus.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid but you are abusing the privilege.

I will not waste my time because arguing with you is like running a race in the special olympics, you might win but in the end you are still a r****d.

By: Lee Daniel

Lee Daniel — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:47:07 +0000

The other side of the coin Michael did not mention, the opportunity gap that was created by law in schools. Using his analogy the reason we have more Black boys in the criminal justice system than colleges is that we were not allowed to read and non readers were breed with more non readers. Being a good student would actually be contrary to the slave masters wishes as was short bouts of work. We have some scientist who say we are not anatomically related to the east Africans who dominate the distance races. So that means Michael Johnson is closer related to Jeremy Warner than the Africans who run distances than require more aerobic capacity. Jeremy’sopoponiooopponion?

By: Lee Daniel

Lee Daniel — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:29:21 +0000

GG is correct Michael is a dumb jock who should not be discussing biology, genetics and physiology. First if slavery were an Olympic event it would be an endurance event and not a sprint. We were brought here for endurance and worked in the fields from sun up to sun down we had to work fast and long with emphasis on the amount of hours and volume of work. Michael would have been whipped for working 19 or 43 seconds and then cooling down. We dominate the world in all event where we participate with enthusiasm in great numbers. When we have a level playing field, know the rules, and participate in great numbers, such as on playgrounds and parks all over the nation we dominate. The otherother side of the coin Michael do

By: GG

GG — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:09:20 +0000

Ouch Mina, but I agree. Michael Johnson has now earned the title of dumb jock. My brother, you wear the crown.

By: Mina

Mina — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:49:58 +0000

Lisa, we apparently didn’t read the same commentary by Dr Boyce. I would suggest you RE-read what he said and try to GET IT!,,, But then again, if this is any indication of your level of intelligence, DON’T BOTHER. You’ll just be more confused any say something even more idiotic.