An Open Letter To Mr. Woods

Dear Eldrick,

News of your indefinite leave of absence from golf was the first cogent piece of information about you in weeks. You or your handlers are finally thinking clearly and prioritizing accordingly. That having been said I need to let you know that I am angry and disappointed at you. I know, I know your ready to get your Sunshine Anderson on (come on heard it all before...you really don't remember her...she was kinda overshadowed by India Arie), but let me outline my argument before you write me off. (Are you feeling the pressure....come on that was a brilliant hat tip to the sounds of blackness....you don't remember them either???) Tiger you have set black men back at least 120 years. I didn't elect you as the representative for male Black America, I wasn't polled, surveyed, or even asked if I agreed that you were the gold standard of what a black man could or should be. If you want to know who elevated you to this iconic role as the black male gold standard, look in the mirror. You elected yourself when you got rich off of this image of the quality family man that has long since been shattered. What's sad is you have no real idea the damage you've done. We had almost gotten past this persona of the black man as an oversexed animalistic uncontrollable being who has no semblance of self-discipline. This idea that at the end of the day we (black men) will always choose carnality over legitimacy. This belief that instead of taking an analytical approach to decision making we would decide with our loins because as lower beings we are not equipped with a requisite amount of will power to abstain. You have just confirmed every negative stereotype people have of black men in reference to social relationships. I always believed you were a leader, unfortunately you decided to cast a negative leadership shadow. I pray that you can rehabilitate your family relationship. I pray that you will become the man I know you can be. Most of all I pray that people don't associate me with this mess. There are plenty of quality upstanding men of color I just hope when the dust settles people will remember that.

The Lord bless you and keep you; -Numbers 6:24




maybe now you remember Ann Nesby n' them