Sometimes a story comes along that contains such overtly racist remarks that are so darned over the top that to try and rewrite it to fit within a satirical framework would do a great injustice to the story itself. This is such a story. Every name, every quote is real, and I repeat, this is not satire. However, I also want to point out that as racist as this story comes across, it appears to be a sad attempt by a sad boxing promoter to grab some attention for his flagging basketball franchise business at the expense of black basketball players everywhere.
The story comes to us from Augusta, Georgia and the caption reads “Basketball league for white Americans targets Augusta.” Now in all fairness, before I go on, let me just say that Augusta Mayor, Deke Copenhaver, is not behind this idea and finds it absurd. Nevertheless, here’s what was proposed to Augusta by a group that calls itself the “All American Basketball Alliance.
I’m just going to let the quotes speak for themselves:
According to Don “Moose” Lewis, commissioner of the All American Basketball Alliance, they plan on starting their inaugural season in June and Lewis is hoping Augusta will be one of the 12 inaugural teams. Said Lewis: “Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league.”
Claiming the move is not racist, Moose went on to state: “There’s nothing hatred about what we’re doing,” he said. “I don’t hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here’s a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like.” Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of “street-ball” played by “people of color.”
“Would you want to go to the game and worry about a player flipping you off or attacking you in the stands or grabbing their crotch?” he (head redneck) said. “That’s the culture today, and in a free country we should have the right to move ourselves in a better direction.”
Although Lewis hasn’t yet found a city willing to buy one of his franchises for $10,000 (thank goodness), he is optimistic. “People will come out and support a product they can identify with. I’m the spoken minority right now, but if people will give us a chance, it’ll work… The white game of basketball, which is essentially a fundamental game, works.”
There’s only one way to finish up this article and that’s by stating the obvious, that Don “Moose” Lewis has more than a couple of screws loose. Oh, and for good measure, let’s throw in a complimentary redneck joke:
You know you’re a redneck if you think starting an all white, all American basketball league is an idea whose time has come no matter how many black boxers you manage on the side.
Racist! How can we be so callous. For the blessed sake of diversity Amerika NEEDS something like this. Just think of the thousands of overly pale basketball players who have been denied access to various university and NBA teams simply because of this racial handicap (aka no game). Vote for the Cracker League and bring the game back to its roots, that is let the white guys play. I understand that they will use a peach basket just like in the good old days which will be especially endearing to the Good ‘Ole Boys. As for the telephone pole bit… perhaps you might find a burning truck tire or being chained to and draged by a Caddy a pit more appropriate. Always remember Life is Stranger than Fiction.
How dare they, making an organization just for a group of people is just so darn racist that it makes my blood boil. I mean, seriously? Come on how is it not racist to try and advance a color!? Those monsters need to be dragged outside and hung from telephone poles!!
Scandalous.