The curious case of ‘Tiger’ Woods

Are African-Americans still mad with Tiger?

On Sunday, April 14, 2019, Eldrick Tont ‘Tiger’ Woods won his 15^th major tournament just three shy of tying Jack Nicklaus’ 18. Tiger ruled the sports diaspora for 10 years straight after entering the PGA tour in 1996. He was the youngest, the most intriguing, he had a different training regimen, he had a different background and of course, he was a black man . . . or is he?

Pan back to 1997, Tiger wins his first major and sets the sports world on fire and then appears on the famed Oprah Winfrey Show. The obvious elephant in the room is that Tiger is now the dominant golfer in a sport that has primarily been played and won by white men. Surely there is a sense of pride being the first to break through? Surely you want to be a beacon of light for young black children to aspire to? Surely you want to open the gates and allow black people access to a sport and even economic viability using the golf course? Then Oprah asked the question, “How do you identify or define yourself”? His words at the time were somewhat of a shot into the hearts of black people. Tiger used the imaginary term he created “CAUBLINASIAN”. Because he has a multi-racial culture and background and also because of the unique perspectives of his mentor and father he only identified as a member of the human race. Race is a construct that h does not subscribe to and refuses to allow it to limit him.

The premise of his beliefs is commendable. But as most “black” people will say, “What color are you when you driving at 2:00 am in the morning”? “What color are you when you are walking in a store”? “What color are you when you are jogging through a neighborhood and no one knows you”? Many African-Americans come from a mixed heritage, especially considering the vestiges of slavery that still exist. However, most African-Americans understand that based on certain traits, characteristics and phenotypes they are conserved as black and identify as such. To identify as something different is akin to being ashamed or embarrassed by your skin.

Tiger continued to win. He was the best golfer in the world for almost ten years and then he had several mishaps. He was outed for cheating on his then “Caucasian” wife and the mother of his children. He had injured his body with extreme training techniques, he had drinking issues, and he was addicted to pain killers. He was also an admitted sex addict. He had lost his confidence, his swagger and his winning ceased. The cheers had turned into jeers and Tiger was all but written off. Many in the black community were quick to point out that when “black men” accomplish great feats they often forget that they are black men. Society has always marveled at the athletic prowess of African-Americans. Golf was that much more special because of the perceived mental dexterity the game requires. So he had beaten a game that he wasn’t invited to play. But he never ingratiated himself into the back community which made many pull their support for him.

The question is, “Are African-Americans still mad with Tiger”? Have we moved beyond saying, “See, I bet he knows he’s black now”, referring to the way he was Treated? Have they simply let it go and moved on to bigger fish? I would say that black people are ambivalent to Tiger Woods. They don’t care but they still like the fact that when he does well it’s a thumb in the eye of those who root against him. Those who never wanted him to succeed in the first place. Those who smile in his face yet call him the N-Word or Lawn jockey behind his back!

YouTube Video 
Tiger on Oprah
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z36FCcr9j2w