HAIL-VENUS: I didn't think there was anything wrong with your thread. And I agreed with most of what the author of thge article said. But we've all seen this fight. It could have been short and mean or nasty and ugly, but very few people would have learned anything. Not because we're closed-minded as a group, but because we've had ample opportunity to discuss the issue.
Remember, over the last five years Internet/WTA fans have probably read more advanced theory on race relations than 99% of the population. I've seen everyone from Cornel West to Henry Loius Gates to Lyndon Johnson quoted here. In many ways, the discussion about race that many Americans have no interest in having, has occurred. In these seemingly endless flame wars. Think back to 1997. The anti-Williams tone was much more direct, much more dismissive, and much more violent. And many a person was challenged to prove their views weren't racially motivated. Sometimes they were. Sometimes not. But we all got to examine the arguements. We all got to hear what the other side had to say. And you'll notice, most of the extreme voices have been silent. And, IMHO, the criticism you see of Venus now focuses on tennis. Well, 90%. But way better than 1997.
Things are a lot better. They are enough better that I for one, have decided that I could use a chance to chillout. Anyone who hasn't learned a lot about race by following the WTA the last five years can't learn. I'm not advocating a policy of non-confrontation. I'm just actively trying not to provoke anything. The article made fine points, but they are arguements that have been done to death on the old WTA board.
I just don't see any reason to go through that again.
Those of us willing to re-think the issue (or think about it for the first time), have been given more than enough to bend our minds around in the last five years. More won't help. Not right now.
Thank you for removing that thread. All it would have accomplished would have been to give the ankle-biters a chance to start another fight. Screw them. Everybody can see what they are. I say sit back, enjoy the tennis, and let anyone who's mind is too closed to let a new thought in chase their tails. A few people, I skip any thread they start. In any event, even if someone says something I find unalterably stupid or inexcusably cruel, I'm trying to put myself on a one smart-assed remark limit. Beyond that, if the admins don't have a problem, I say leave 'em be.
...I missed something...AGAIN!
