Hola Meltingpot Readers,
Quick. Name a NBA player currently playing in the semi-finals who calls Barcelona, Spain home.
Are you thinking about Pau Gasol? You'd be right. Gasol plays for the Lakers and hails from Barcelona. But there's someone else. Serge Ibaka. Ibaka plays for the Oklahoma Thunder. And while he was born in the Congo, he moved to Spain in his teens, played for Real Madrid and was just granted Spanish nationality last year. So, that makes Ibaka a Black Spaniard in my book.
Dear readers, I am not an NBA fan. I care very little about professional sports, but I am a sucker for a good story and Serge Ibaka has a good story. It's Kinky Gazpacho in the NBA. He's also pretty easy on the eyes. Here's a small documentary about Ibaka's -- aka Air Congo -- life. FYI, it's in Spanish.
For those of you who don't habla español, here's an article that ran in the New York Times about Ibaka.
For those of you who follow the NBA, did you know Ibaka had Spanish nationality? Since his nickname in the league is Air Congo, I don't know how many folks are going to associate him with his adopted country, although if he plays for Spain in the Summer Olympics, that might make a difference. What do you think? Is it fair to call Ibaka a Spaniard? Afro-Spaniard? I'm listening.
Peace!
4 comments:
Just thought I would let you know that May 21s is el día de la afrocolombiandiad.
http://www.soundsandcolours.com/news/music-news/afro-colombian-special-celebrating-el-dia-nacional-de-la-afrocolombianidad/
Anon,
Thanks for the notice and the link!
Interesting question.
I personally think Spaniard is fair when determining his state of nationality. What would "Afro" be determinining? That originally he is from the Congo or his color?
If one must be technical and it has to do with his original origin then its should be Congo/Spaniard
;-) if its to determine his race, I think his skin color can speak for itself.
My personal opinion would be to just state Spaniard. If one must know more of his history then it can be mentioned seperate.
I can't help but think how important is it for America to continue have it's citizens mention race when fillinng out various paper work?
Its nothing wrong with noticing our differences, but how important is it?
I never asked myself this question before until visiting your blog,
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