WSU assistant professor calls BYU racist

[electricmayhem]

This is an interesting piece posted on the Chicago Tribune website in the opinion section. It's written by a member of the WSU faculty, Darron Smith, and brings race front and center into the Brandon Davies situation.

He states:

"Since 1993, at least 70 athletes have been suspended, dismissed, put on probation or forced to withdraw from their respective teams or the school for honor code violations. Fifty-four of these athletes, nearly 80 percent, are people of color."

Without knowing the demographics behind BYU athletics, is it possible that there are more black athletes than white athletes? Or do they just get in trouble more? Hard to tell...

Here's the article link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-0502-byu-20110502,0,2868469.story

[Snapshot9]

It said people of color are just 23 percent of all the athletes, so I would venture to say, they just get into trouble more. All athletes are advised of the honour code, so if they break it, they know they are.

The author is saying more teachers, administrators, etc. of color should be hired, but is that just so they would be more sympathic to the black athlete, and therefore reduce the violations?

[electricmayhem]

It said people of color are just 23 percent of all the athletes, so I would venture to say, they just get into trouble more.

You are right - I read that wrong.

[jocoshock]

Re: WSU assistant professor calls BYU racist

This is an interesting piece posted on the Chicago Tribune website in the opinion section. It's written by a member of the WSU faculty, Darron Smith, and brings race front and center into the Brandon Davies situation.

He states:

"Since 1993, at least 70 athletes have been suspended, dismissed, put on probation or forced to withdraw from their respective teams or the school for honor code violations. Fifty-four of these athletes, nearly 80 percent, are people of color."

Without knowing the demographics behind BYU athletics, is it possible that there are more black athletes than white athletes? Or do they just get in trouble more? Hard to tell...

Here's the article link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...,2868469.story

I could be wrong, but my guess is that a high percentage of their white athletes may be Mormon and/or from the area, and more accustomed to following "the rules" than the African American athletes who come from far different backgrounds, and don't know that the rules really are rules. It would be interesting to see if the majority of the white athletes who made up the 20% (or bulk of the 20%) were not Mormon and/or from the area.

I don't know if it would be intentional profiling as much as a case of "outsiders" of any color and/or cultural background being more susceptible to disciplinary action. I could definitely see there being far less tolerance for "outsiders".

Pure speculation on my part...

[ShockRef]

Woe is me.

Idiot.

That is all. 8)

[BOBB]

Those of you not familiar with the culture in majority Mormon communities probably are unaware of the depth to which the church is involved in the decision making of businesses, organizations and governments. I can assure you that Mormon kids make the same mistakes that other kids do. The business and community relationships their parents have makes it easier to look the other way when things happen. When the rate of discipline is 4 to 1 this more than coincidence. I'm not willing to call this racism, but let's not forget that racism was written doctrine of the LDS church until recently.

[pinstripers]

You ever play softball at McAdams park?

[ABC]

Jack Mormon anyone?

[Ta Town Shocker]

I can't believe that BYU can actually get recruits to come to their school with this so called "honor code" in the first place. Premarital sex gets you kicked off the team, absolutely ridiculous. Word of this getting out cannot be good for the future of their athletic programs.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Woe is me.

Idiot.

That is all. 8)

+1

[Anthroshock]

Those of you not familiar with the culture in majority Mormon communities probably are unaware of the depth to which the church is involved in the decision making of businesses, organizations and governments. I can assure you that Mormon kids make the same mistakes that other kids do. The business and community relationships their parents have makes it easier to look the other way when things happen. When the rate of discipline is 4 to 1 this more than coincidence. I'm not willing to call this racism, but let's not forget that racism was written doctrine of the LDS church until recently.

+1

So no one read the incidents of black athletes being followed and harassed being recruited and specifically told that the honor code was "no big deal".

The God damned Lamanites!

[wufan]

Those of you not familiar with the culture in majority Mormon communities probably are unaware of the depth to which the church is involved in the decision making of businesses, organizations and governments. I can assure you that Mormon kids make the same mistakes that other kids do. The business and community relationships their parents have makes it easier to look the other way when things happen. When the rate of discipline is 4 to 1 this more than coincidence. I'm not willing to call this racism, but let's not forget that racism was written doctrine of the LDS church until recently.

BYU is predominantly a white school (religeously and geographically). The Mormon culture is very tightly knit. You are either in or out, and while all Mormon's that I have met have been exceptionally pleasant people, I have never had a Mormon friend that was more than casual. It might be because I am not Mormon, or it might be because of some of my youthful choices, but none of them every wanted to "hang out." I have gone to school with and or worked very closely with about 30 Mormons, and only once was I ever invited over (game night). Again, I've never had a bad encounter with a Mormon, but definately a different culture.

[SpanglerFan316]

I worked with people who happened to be Morman and they were fine, friendly, honest people.

However this story is not that new. Morman students at BYU work through their Bishops and "escape" punishment from the honor code (although they probably pay a price in other regards.) Students who are not Morman don't have this "escape valve" and end up being punished.

ADDED: I looked for a reference on this story but I could not recall where I read it. (What if it was on ShockerNet? I'd be so embarrassed. ;-) )

Is it racist if everyone who is not Morman is equally disadvantaged? I don't know.

[wufan]

Is it racist if everyone who is not Morman is equally disadvantaged? I don't know.

Not racist, but definately discrimminatory.

[Ricardo del Rio]

<sigh>