Tiger By The Tail

911 received a call the other day. It was someone calling to say they were a neighbor of Tiger Wood’s and he had just smashed his truck into the neighbor’s tree. As it turns out there was some domestic squabble between Tiger and his wife and she caused the accident by chasing him with a golf club. I’m sure you were shocked and had the same thought as me, “What the hell is Tiger Woods doing with neighbors”? I mean the man made $25 million in golf tournaments and another $150 million in endorsement deals in 2008 alone! Can’t he afford an estate somewhere without neighbors? At least neighbors not in such close proximity as to witness an accident. And what about that wife? I thought he was married to a white woman but this lady beat him up and then chased his speeding truck down the street wielding a golf club to whip his ass further and then she calls the other woman and threatens to beat her ass if she doesn’t stay away from her man…I don’t know, sounds like a sister to me. At least so far he’s been smart enough to stay out of site until his face heals. Now she’s renegotiating their prenuptial agreement…

And what of his critics? The ones who said he was too arrogant, aloof and a selfish golfer. They’re now having a field day. It was he who constantly tried to downplay his race but the fact is Tiger, you are and always will be a Black man named Eldrick. Yes...Eldrick. A black man who took over a sport previously dominated by rich white men who were immediately resentful and jealous. It was after all the sport of kings and these same white men love seeing the king’s “stunning fall from grace” as one commentator called it. Rush Limbaugh has already weighed in stating, “The black frame of mind is terrible. They’re depressed…” “I’m sure Tiger Woods choice of females is not helping ‘em out with their attitudes there either”. So, Tiger runs into controversy and according to Rush Limbaugh we’re all depressed by it because he’s dating white women. Right! Glenn Beck compared Tiger to O.J…. I’ll let that sink in. Yes O.J. a man accused of murdering two people. Other than the fact that both of these athletes dated and married white women what else do they have in common…silly me, they’re both Black so of course that equals murder. Beck says race was not a factor in his comments but I wonder how many white athlete adulterers he has compared to O.J.

I’m not so sure how far Tiger has fallen and as far as controversies go initially it didn’t seem so bad but it seems almost daily another mistress has come forward or a voice mail left by Tiger shows up. Speaking of which, I just want to ask Tiger, “Voice mails? Really?” So the question remains how much further will he fall and what can he do to stop his descent. I’ve never been a fan of golf or Mr. Woods more because of his statements concerning his race, you know him being “Cablinasian” and all. Really, that’s what he calls himself. But I’m no hater either and in spite of him downplaying his race and related issues, as a Black man I am proud of his achievements and I’m concerned about what happens to his image now as the world’s greatest golfer. And although no one is perfect I’m concerned about what image the world’s greatest golfer, a Black man in spite of himself, presents to all those Black children out there who hope one day to achieve. I’m concerned about the Rush Limbaughs and Glenn Becks of the world and their influence on the haters looking for ways to bring down rich and successful African-Americans. And finally I’m concerned about the Tiger Woods of the world who offer them opportunities to do so on a silver platter.