Now I know I should be the last person to be jumping up and down pointing at the TV screen yelling, "There's a black man on the team!" when the Americans won the 4X100 freestyle relay this past weekend in Beijing. But there I was. A former competitive swimmer myself who always hated it when all those folks in Wisconsin would watch my swim races in shock and awe.
Maybe it's because I grew up as one of a scant few colored swimmers in Milwaukee with even fewer professional swimmers to emulate, but I am thrilled for Cullen Jones and his superfast self! But more importantly, I'm giving thanks for the next generation of Black, brown and "Other" swimmers who have somebody who looks like them, going for gold in the water. Not that I have anything against Michael Phelps, but come on, how about some love for brother man.
Peace.
