Anyone in the public eye, or more precisely within public earshot, must be extremely cautious about every word that comes from his or her lips these days. As innocent as any remark may be, someone will try to attach a racist or homophobic connotation. There must be plenty examples of blatant prejudice out there without having to conjure up ones that do not exist. Let’s face the facts. We all have a certain tribal mentality. It’s part of our nature. We tend to favor those with similar qualities, looks, likes, thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to our own. Those who are different may be less favorable, but that does not mean they are automatically disliked or hated. We should all be able to recognize this fact and accept it, even if we are the ones being less favored at the time.
Bob Brenly is a former major league baseball player and manager who now is a broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. He was recently criticized for an off the cuff comment he made during a game about a black players head covering commonly called a durag. “Pretty sure that’s the same durag that Tom Seaver wore when he pitched for the Mets,” Brenly said attempting humor on the broadcast. Several players took offense to Brenly’s remark saying it had racist overtones.
Now, I’m not even sure how to properly spell durag. In writeups on this story, I have seen durag and do-rag. I always thought it was a dew rag for the purpose of mopping dew from the brow. When I first read about the incident, I had to look up d-u-r-a-g because I pronounced it wrong. The dictionary said durag, so I will go with that spelling.
Bob Brenly is 67 years old, a little younger than I am. I was not aware that durags were exclusively black man’s attire. My first awareness of durags were those worn by welders and bikers, most of whom were white guys. I can appreciate Brenly’s attempt at humor. Tom Seaver last pitched for the Mets in 1977. Back then, I doubt that any professional baseball player, black or white, would have been caught with a durag on his head. Players of that era would have laughed at the appearance of today’s typical ball player with the long flowing hair, ink, chains, and earrings. Brenly’s remark was simply a commentary on how players’ apparel has changed since Seaver’s day. At least, that’s the way it appears to me. Nevertheless, someone took offense and Brenly is now taking a week off for sensitivity training. What we really need is desensitivity training for those who are constantly offended.
We will never achieve equality until we acknowledge and accept our natural differences. Repeated accusations of prejudice fosters more prejudice. Those who are comfortable in their own skin will not waste time trying. to detect flaws in others. None of us are perfect, but most of us are well intended. A little patience and forgiveness can go a long way.
