Kalvin N. (Washington, DC): I’ve watched this whole Mayweather/50 beef and as an African American man who has sacrificed a great deal, I think it’s absolutely sad to witness. I’d like to know, what are your thoughts, culturally, and personally, on this topic?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think the term “sad” is a major, understatement. It’s a very troubling sight to watch unfold, and although some don’t want to hear this, I’m gonna be very pointed in my assessment that it’s not only distasteful, but it’s a kryptonite that’s only present in one cultural demographic, and it speaks for why that demographic continues to fall apart. This may not be a popular position to some, but I’d rather be hated for being honest than loved for lying. These words need to spoken, and today, I’ve volunteered to be the messenger.
An adage once said, “if you want to hide something from an African American, put it in a book”. Today, a remix of that old adage would probably tell the world, “if you want to make African Americans fight, just sit back and hand them the mic”! A new era of selfies and social media has given some far more attention than they need or deserve, and in no place is this demonstration more visible than the rap world. Two weeks ago, Ferguson County showed African American’s why they need to unite. Unfortunately, the voices we need to hear speak continue to be silenced (Trayvon, Mike Brown, etc); yet voices that are better off silent continue to speak (50 Cent, etc).
Take a moment to look at the characters involved in this case and the dynamics they present. You have a New York based radio cast called “The Breakfast Club”. The name suggest that they’re pretty ‘hungry’, (for success), yet the decision to inject themselves into this drama for ratings tell me that they’re apparently pretty ‘thirsty’ as well (if I can borrow their chosen lingo). Then you have a rapper who promotes “change”, who gives us nothing but more of the same; a reputation built on calling other names, to try to boost his own flat-lining fame. Again, just a sad state of affairs, but at it’s best, this is what it all boils down to:
Floyd Mayweather was once quoted as saying “an intelligent businessman understands that he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know….and to find success at the highest level, he needs to have the right people around him who does”. That mantra explains precisely how he has been able to overcome whatever deficits he does have. When you think of LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and all the other great athletes in the world, then recognize that the pay-based leader of them all is the one guy with perhaps the least text-book education and even fewer endorsements, you have to admit, he apparently knows something the rest of us have yet to comprehend.
At the end of the day, I can’t support a literacy problem on any level; but neither can I support a rapper and radio cast using words like ‘finna’ that wants me to think they’re any better. Bottom line, you’re either wet in the water or dry in the sand…..but you can’t be dry in the water! If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem! Right now, I think any and everyone that sees this as a laughing matter is not only part of the problem, but also the primary reason that the rest of the world thinks the African American community is the problem. To us, everything is a joke. Guess that explains why everyone around us can’t stop laughing! This is clear proof that we ALL need more education!
Lionel E. (London, UK): Going into the Kell Brook vs Shawn Porter fight, America didn’t really seem to give Brook a chance. Now that he has won, where do you rate him?
Vivek W. (ESB): I can’t speak for everyone, but personally, I rated him very high coming in, and I rate him incredibly high on the backside of that epic night for him! I’ve always viewed Brook as a guy with a certain level of talent, and for the record I had him with a very good chance to win that Porter fight. That being said, I think we’ve seen a maturation and evolution in Brook within the last 12-24 months that I didn’t really know he was capable of.
In the initial bout with Carson Jones, I thought he was very much out of sorts and just not really balanced over all. Not only did he bite down and come out on top, but he stopped Jones, proving to me that he does in fact have that ‘extra gear’ we often look for in a fighter! Over the past few decades, the UK has given us the likes of Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Joe Calzaghe, Amir Khan, David Haye, and a few other studs. As solid as that list is, I would go out on a limb and say that fundamentally, from hidden flaws to emerging upside, Kell Brook is arguably the best “pure talent” of them all.
Khan and Haye both have incredible talent, but they also seem to have limitations in the chin area. Hatton had heart, but little skill. Calzaghe and Froch both had great resolve and know-how, but simply weren’t as cerebral. The one thing each of those men have on Brook at this stage is experience and the results to solidify that experience. Based on that, I think it’s hard to place him above any of those names at this stage; but if he’s able to continue his rise and build on what we’ve already seen, I think it’ll be very hard not to place him at the very top of that list.
I’ve never been one to swing on that proverbial ‘pendulum’ like most of the media, jumping from talent to talent the moment someone does something noteworthy. That being said, Brook was far less of a question mark to me. I knew he had it in him, and he solidified it all by coming across the pond and totally picking apart one of America’s best young talents. I really think the sky is the limit for the kid. I love his pedigree, and I love his ability. It’s a great moment in UK Boxing to see them land a P4P quality fighter. I would imagine a showdown with Khan is next. If he passes that test, Mayweather just might have that dancing partner he’s wanted to fill the bleachers of Wembley Stadium. Stay tuned….
(Vivek “Vito” Wallace can be heard every Tuesday night on “Left-Hook Lounge Radio”. He can also be reached at 954.770.9807, Twitter (@vivekwallace747), Instagram (ViveksView), and Facebook).