In light of a heart-wrenching story on Raw Story about how terrified these young Melanoid students are about the possibility of them getting killed by white extremists on campus, many of the same racists have taken to Twitter, letting their presence-and racist intentions–be felt by all who cares to read. On Twitter, there has been a hashtag named #BlacksOnCampus, which has been trending heavy on the popular social media site. However, white supremacist trolls have begun to use the hashtag in their own way, resulting to name calling and an outright display of disrespect towards the brave Melanoid young men who have stood brave in the face of the adversity. Here are just a few of the Tweets left by the trolls:

What #BlacksOnCampus proves is blacks DON"T BELONG on campus – if they got there through affirmative action & #blackprivilege not merit

— US Taxpayer (@TeaPartyStance) November 11, 2015

Will #BlacksOnCampus address the disproportionate crime committed by the Black Community or the 73% fatherless kids? pic.twitter.com/nlojPE4VK4

— Great Intellectual (@USA_First_2016) November 12, 2015

I avoid niggers>the result is my life doesnt get threatened, backup plan is concealed carry. #Mizzou #BlacksOnCampus https://t.co/zBDkwk6ucL

— EscapeVelocity (@EscapeVelo) November 12, 2015

Want a good laugh? Look at the hashtag #BlacksOnCampus most of them dot even attend college lmao

— Justin (@JNasty720) November 12, 2015

Trolling #BlacksOnCampus in 3..2..BAM! Lol pic.twitter.com/jXGvr7wmhf

— tom riddle (@v0ld4m0rt) November 12, 2015

As you can see, white supremacists are in an uproar over the simple fact that the Black football athletes of the University of Missouri realized that their purpose in society meant much more than just scoring touchdowns and sacking quarterbacks. It’s no secret that for years, Black basketball and football athletes have been accepted–and even celebrated–under the condition that they remained seen and not heard. This means that they’ve been expected to be good athletes, marginal students, and racially transparent.

In conjunction with these laughable expectations placed upon Black athletes by members of the dominant society, it should be noted that in the competitive hierarchy of the NCAA, the Mizzou football team is part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

This collegiate sports conference has long been recognized as ground zero for its athletic programs which recruit young and impressionable Black males from the rural areas of places of the South such as Alabama and Mississippi, notoriously racist coaches (who are celebrated to this day) like Paul “Bear” Bryant & Adolph Rupp, and last but not least, the extensive network of the “good ol’ boys” who seek out young able-bodied Black “bucks” to lead their respective athletic programs to the promised land (which is a national championship).

In hindsight, after knowing all of this about the University of Missouri’s athletic conference affiliation and its home state’s recent history of racial calamity, it comes as no surprise that this campus was primed and ready for this past week’s series of events to occur in the first place.

B. Clark

The decision to take Mayweather’s title came as a surprise for many, and has rightfully caused outrage from the members of his camp. The story that broke yesterday has re-opened the door of speculation among Melanoid people, particularly members of Black Society who are avid sports fans. For years now, Mr. Mayweather has been the subject of excessive criticism and scorn, which many believe stems from the simple fact that a young Melanoid man such as Floyd Mayweather is fully aware of his talents and impact on the sport of boxing, and makes no apologies about the storied career he has successfully tailored. Another reason of hate for Mayweather is perhaps the reason that is the most glaring: the immense fortune he has amassed from his prolific boxing career. In conjunction with Mayweather’s enviable boxing winnings, one Melanoid man has been a highly instrumental figure in making this happen. His name, you ask? Al Haymon.

Haymon, whose shrewd acumen has been an asset to Floyd Mayweather (Haymon also serves as an adviser to Mayweather), has long been a man in an authoritative position in the world of entertainment. Despite the power moves, Mr. Haymon is for the most part a low-profile figure, instead preferring to call the shots from behind the scenes…”like a boss”. Haymon’s business savvy could be one that Melanoid people in sports take notes from.

Al Haymon (shown on the left) is often recognized as boxing’s “mystery man”, but he’s no mystery to his famous mentee.

The NBA, which to many has been thought of as a Black sport for the past three-plus decades, is no exception to the need for Black ownership. Although Michael Jordan serves as the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, the sport which is known as perhaps the world’s “Blackest sport” is severely lacking Black owners to take the reins of some of the other 29 NBA franchises.

NBA legend Michael Jordan has served as the majority of the NBA’s Charlotte franchise since 2010.

During the 2011 NBA lockout which saw the NBA’s owners and players reach a rift in collective bargaining, there were discussions of some of the league’s highest profile players (with most–if not all–of the players in mention being Melanoid) form new basketball teams which would barnstorm around the country, putting up their own money to rent out venues and use their immense talents to put on what would’ve been a highly entertaining display of basketball for fans across the country. The rumors of the basketball players leaving the NBA’s negotiation tables for the prospect of putting their fortunes (and ownership of their basketball related business affairs) even prompted well-known veteran journalist Bryant Gumbel to speak on the restrictive nature of the NBA’s hierarchy. Here is what Gumbel had to say:

“[Then-NBA Commissioner] Stern’s version of what has been going on behind closed doors has of course been disputed, but his efforts were typical of a commissioner who has always seemed eager to be viewed as some kind of modern plantation overseer, treating NBA men as if they were his boys. It’s part of Stern’s M.O., like his past self-serving edicts on dress code and the questioning of officials. His moves were intended to do little more than show how he’s the one keeping the hired hands in their place.”

Gumbel’s criticism of then-NBA Commissioner can be seen in the following video.

The NFL is now generally regarded as America’s most popular sport. The professional football league, which boasts an approximately 70 percent Black population as of the beginning of the 2014 NFL season, has no Black owners residing over any of the league’s 32 franchises.

There is a shared belief in some circles of Black Society that harbor disapproval for Melanoid people being involved in entertainment in any capacity, including sports. However, professional sports, just like manufacturing, retail, healthcare, etc. is a business just like any of the previously mentioned examples that represent various sectors of the economy. While many of us in Black Society have come to a consensus that it is no longer a recommended notion to encourage our youth (particularly our boys) to choose a career as an NBA or NFL player, it is possible that the conversation with our youth can be slightly modified to encourage them to strive for ownership/management positions in sports instead. If much of the entertainment that the dominant society consumes and watches is based on marketing influenced by Black culture, shouldn’t it be wise for us to aim for ownership in entertainment-driven industries such as sports?

John Carlos and Tommie Smith, the Melanoid Track & Field athletes who dominated the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, were both born on this week, with Mr. Carlos being born on June 5, and Mr. Smith’s birthday taking place the following day. However, their connection was much deeper than their birthday weeks, or even the university they both attended (San Jose State University). They were both immortalized for the powerful statement they made by raising the Black Power fist as a defiant and empowering gesture in the face of White supremacy that occurred in the United States during the tumultuous decade of the 1960s.

Mr. Carlos and Mr. Smith were pioneers in that they were athletes who took such a stance, which has become a foreign concept in today’s sporting world. Check out this short documentary that shows John Carlos and Tommie Smith in a more in-depth light. This is an excellent viewing source for many of our Melanoid youth who may not be familiar with the two historical figures.

by B. Clark