Floyd Mayweather recently said:
Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.Floyd Mayweather is a good student but all the hype is because he's black. Asian students do what he does every night and don't get the same praise.
Jeremy Lin's Christian Testimony
ReplyDeletehttp://gnli.christianpost.com/video/jeremy-lin-testimony-1046
Speaking of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao (who everyone in the boxing world wants him to fight) claims to have renewed his "Christian faith" and is now reading the Bible. I hope it leads him out of the Catholic Church and into a more Biblical form of Christianity.
Manny Pacquiao Denouces Sins and Renews Christian Faith
http://www.christianpost.com/news/manny-pacquiao-denouces-sins-and-renews-christian-faith-67121/
"If I had died last year or in the last two years, I am sure I would've gone straight to Hell ... My faith in Him is there 100 percent, but behind it, I was still [being] the Devil's advocate...I was still doing evil.."
He told Castillejo about a moving dream that led him to give up gambling, alchohol and womanizing. The dream came on the night he fought and defeated Mexican fighter Juan Manuel.
In the dream, Pacquiao says he was in a beautiful forest when a bright light was shone upon him. He says a voice asked him, "Son why are you going away from me?"
Pacquiao says he awoke from the dream in tears.
"I woke up crying. I remember I was crying in my dream and when I touched my pillow, it was wet," Pacquiao said.
After waking up, he searched the Bible for answers to his dream and found that God sometimes talked to people through their dreams.
"In the past, God talked to people through their dreams. So I told myself this dream is real and I have to change my life," he said.
According to Pacquiao, the change came not just because he desired it, but because God changed him.
"Being a Christian means accepting Christ as your savior, your God," he said. "That's why you are called a 'Christian.' If you remove Christ, there's only 'ian' and that means 'I am nothing."
Manny Pacquiao Mulls Retirement From Boxing to Be 'Bible Ambassador'
http://www.christianpost.com/news/manny-pacquiao-mulls-retirement-from-boxing-to-be-bible-ambassador-69342/
Floyd Mayweather Jr. sucker punching Victor Ortiz
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOU_JwuDUcA&feature=related
He prematurely ended an entertaining fight in the 4th round. Even though most of his other fights are so boring because he's constantly evading punches. Though, admittedly his skills make him an all time great technical boxer.
I actually think there's some truth to Floyd's statement. Just as there was a lot of hoopla when Maurice Ashley became the first "black" international chess Grandmaster. But instead of celebrating Lin's success (a fellow American minority), Floyd had to make it about race.
ReplyDeleteNot that the statement itself is necessarily racist. But given Floyd's past racist statements (against Pacquiao), he's just making himself look bad.
He's embarrassing himself just like when he actually THANKED GOD (!) for being able to sucker punch Victor Ortiz to win his fight against him.
*Note: I placed "black" in quotes because as Ashley has said,
"African continent GMs do exist; but, according to the system of racial classification, I am the first Black GM in history...it matters, and doesn't matter, all at the same time."
That's according to a a USCF bio of Ashley
Oh, BTW, I'm Asian myself (Filipino). So, I don't believe I'm being racist in saying that Floyd's statement, per se, isn't racist.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin's ethnicity certainly is a significant factor in the Linsanity.
ReplyDeleteHe's overcoming racial stereotypes as an awesome baller.
It's like if an African-American won a Nobel Prize in science.
I thought white men couldn't jump.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwXml5jTtIc&feature=related
Thanks, guys.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you.
My proximal point was just to suggest Mayweather's point is a bit silly.
On the one hand, Lin's current popularity is about race/ethnicity. It's something of an achievement that an Asian American has emerged as what currently appears to be a pretty good player in the NBA. It runs counter to the "Asians are only good at math and science" stereotype. So, while it's not solely about race/ethnicity, it is about race/ethnicity in this respect.
On the other hand, why is this a problem for Mayweather? People are racially/ethnically different. We come from various nations, tribes, peoples, and languages. There's more than a hint or trace of irony in an African American knocking someone's achievement due to his race.
At the same time, it is a preliminary judgment. Sure, Lin has come out strong. But he hasn't played long enough for someone to say whether he is really all that good.
A larger point though is a dig at affirmative action. Instead of Mayweather, maybe I should've said Obama: "Obama is a good student but all the hype is because he's black. Asian students do what he does every night and don't get the same praise." Imagine if the NBA picked players based on affirmative action.
Of course, as we know, the truly significant point in all this is Lin's evangelical faith.
Great video interview with Lin.
ReplyDeleteHis responses are in English.
Speaking of Floyd Mayweather Jr, is there no general opinion amongst Christian believers on the ethics of sports (such as boxing, MMA, UFC) that require its participants to pummel each other until they are either unconscious or injured and bloody? I'm not prone to scrupulousness, but I'm not sure I see how such behavior is edifying for the participants or the cheering onlookers who are clamoring for blood.
ReplyDeleteSure it's consensual, but since when is mutual consent the only criteria for what is moral?
Jacob said:
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Floyd Mayweather Jr, is there no general opinion amongst Christian believers on the ethics of sports (such as boxing, MMA, UFC) that require its participants to pummel each other until they are either unconscious or injured and bloody? I'm not prone to scrupulousness, but I'm not sure I see how such behavior is edifying for the participants or the cheering onlookers who are clamoring for blood.
Here are some past posts on the topic:
"Fight Club"
"Football vs. Baseball"
"Sports and Moral Superiority"
"Are contact sports immoral?"
James, not Jacob. Wrong Testament. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, wow this new captcha system is annoyingly hard to read at time.
James:
ReplyDeleteQuestion 136: What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
Answer: The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge;all excessive passions, distracting cares; immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and: Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.
This broad reading of the sixth commandment would generally tend to prohibit "blood" sports, where there is a significant risk of loss of life or serious bodily injury.
- TurretinFan
James, not Jacob. Wrong Testament. :)
ReplyDeleteOops, sorry about that!
Lin-mania hit again today. Great game to watch for sure. Lin looked terrific. He makes big time mistakes, but over all he is a fine B-Ball player. And a big reason the Knicks beat the Mavs today.
ReplyDeletehave a great week in our Lord's river of life; and may His life flow from our bellies into the lives of other believers, and unbelievers as well. All for the Cross! Gal. 6:14.