Dexter's Vantage Point!

As I was covering the Indianapolis Tennis Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana last weekend I was wondering where was where was James Blake, Donald Young and. Well, in terms of African American representation Blake and Young are it. On the men’s ATP tour there are few if any up and coming African Americans to speak of in the world of professional tennis. As I scoured the grounds viewing matches and people watching between matches I noticed there were very few African Americans. I wondered to myself: why are so few African Americans in professional tennis? Well, one of the key components to understand why African Americans are underrepresented is socio-economic status. Tennis is an elite country club sport. Generally it takes a great deal of money to excel professionally in tennis. One must consistently take lessons, attend camps, and if you show promise hire a coach. Also, there’s a lack of African American prototypes at the highest levels of tennis to emulate. Yes, we have the Willi...

President Obama selected Sonia Sotamayor to be a Supreme Court judge she’s been under scrutiny for comments she made regarding ones life experience. In a speech delivered at the UC Berkeley School of Law she suggested that a judges' life experiences and ethnic backgrounds play a role in their decision making Sotamayor stated, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." Sotamayor has been backing off her statements as of late: she’s been watering her words down to make sure she gets what she wants. I wouldn’t have done that. Isn’t possible to get yours and stand in the light of truth? I wouldn’t back down. Oh well, I guess that’s just me. Is there credence to Sotmayor’s assertion? I think there is. In the words of Goethe, "I am a part of all that I've met." Everyone’s life experience plays a part in their decision-making. Judg...

I needed some time to digest what happened with slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair before I weighed in on McNair being gunned down recently by his girlfriend in Nashville, Tennessee. Bottom line: it was a sad end to a life that pleased so many people in the realm of sports. The victim, 20 year old Sahel Kazeme and McNairs’ girlfriend lost her life way too soon as well. When McNair was finally laid to rest he was being portrayed as a tough competitor who gave back to the community. He was characterized as someone who always laid it all on the line for his team. McNair played through injuries during his career. On the field he was one of the toughest men to ever play. Off the field sadly that toughness was no match for the four bullets lodged in his body by his enraged girlfriend. Looking at it deeper I remember writing about Air McNair back in 1994. I felt that he wouldn't get a chance to strut his stuff as an NFL quarterback because of systemic racism.. Back in the day there...

What was supposed to be a farewell to actress Farrah Fawcett two weeks ago sadly turned into the Michael Jackson show due to his untimely passing June 25th. Over 20 thousand fans, friends, and family paid their last respects at a public viewing in Los Angeles at the Staple Center. Millions more from around the globe said their goodbyes to the King of Pop at various venues as well. Jackson left us with enough memories and music for us to keep him alive long into the future. Yes, Michael Jackson is really gone but he will never be forgotten. Despite what the haters suggest Jackson was one of the greatest people who ever lived. He shared his craft with the world. Look at those who spoke at his public viewing and those from around the globe who said their goodbyes. The global recognition was amazing to say the least. Jackson is in some ways is the Barack Obama of the music industry. In terms of impact one could argue Jackson was more important because he helped to open doors for the likes ...

Recently on Bryant Gumble’s HBO show Real Sports Hall of Fame football player and social activist Jim Brown was asked about why today’s marquee African American athletes are silent on controversial issues. Brown took the opportunity to say how he feels about Tiger Woods lack of activism. He stated: "You know what's so interesting about Tiger to me? He is a killer. He will run over you, he will kick your ass but as an individual for social change? Terrible. Terrible because he can get away with teaching kids to play golf and that's his contribution. In the real world, I can't teach kids to play golf and that's my contribution, if I've got that kind of power." In a watered down response to Browns’ comments Woods suggested his work with children through his Tiger Woods Foundation speaks volumes. He also stated he wanted “to do it the right way.” You have an established athlete and activist in Brown calling out the darling of American sports in Woods for being...