After Artest

David J. Leonard

Description

On November 19, 2004, a fight between NBA players Ron Artest and Ben Wallace escalated into a melee involving several other players and many fans. The "Palace Brawl," writes David J. Leonard, was a seminal event, one that dramatically altered outside perceptions of the sport. With commentators decrying the hip hop or gangsta culture of players, the blackness of the NBA was both highlighted and disdained. This was a harsh blow to the league's narrative of colorblindness long cultivated by Commissioner David Stern and powerfully embodied in the beloved figure of Michael Jordan. As Leonard demonstrates, the league viewed this moment as a threat needing intervention, quickly adopting policies to govern black players and prevent them from embracing styles and personas associated with blackness. This fascinating book discloses connections between the NBA's discourse and the broader discourse of antiblack racism. Particular policy changes that seemed aimed at black players, such as the NBA dress code and the debate over a minimum age requirement, are explored.

Sujets

• Sport
• Sports collectifs
• Basketball
• Autour du sport
• Sociologie du sport
• Baloncesto
• Ethnic studies
• Indigenous peoples
• Cultures
• Basket-ball

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 24 avril 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781438442075
• Langue: English

Extrait

SUNY SERIES ON S PORT , C ULTURE, AND S OCIAL R ELATIONS
CL Cole Michael A. Messner, editors
A complete listing of the books in this series appears in the back of the book
A FTER A RTEST
The NBA and the Assault on Blackness
DAVID J. LEONARD
Cover image: © Djma / Dreamstime.com
Published by State University of New York Press, Albany
© 2012 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu
Production by Diane Ganeles
Marketing by Michael Campochiaro
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Leonard, David J.
  After Artest : the NBA and the assault on Blackness / David Leonard.
  p. cm. — (SUNY series on sport, culture, and social relations)
  Includes bibliographical references and index.
  ISBN 978-1-4384-4206-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
  ISBN 978-1-4384-4205-1 (hardcover : alk. paper)
 1. Basketball—United States—Sociological aspects. 2. African American basketball players—Social conditions. 3. Basketball fans—United States—Social conditions. 4. Minorities in sports—United States. 5. Discrimination in sports—United States. I. Title.
  GV889.26.L37 2012
  796.323'64—dc23
2011023207
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Sophie Nicole Leonard whose life, even in death, taught me about myself, the labors of love, and life's true challenge; I miss and love you
To my father, James M. Leonard, who taught me that indeed it is not whether you win or lose but how you play the game, especially when, in this game, the opponent, the referee, the rules of the game, and even the fans are working against you
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
A s with the execution of the perfect play, the design of a lockdown defense on LeBron or Kobe, the sweetness of a 3-on-2 break, and an alley-oop to Shaq, a block shot by Dwight Howard, a baby hook from Magic, MJ's fall-a-way jumper, Kareem's sky hook, A.I.'s crossover, and, of course, the Worm's masterful defense, this monograph reflects the influences of many individuals whose passion, commitment to racial justice and transformative cultural studies, love for and questions about the NBA and the surrounding culture, intellectual curiosity, and talents have greatly benefited me.
It reflects and builds on numerous conversations, experiences, and classes; it represents the coming together of the many things I have learned from others.
Although this book formally began to take shape following several conversations with Nancy Jackson and subsequent support from C.L. Cole—a wonderful mentor and someone I am honored to call a colleague—and Nancy Ellengate, its origin dates back to my childhood, when I was encouraged to read against the grain and challenge assumptions. I was taught that being a contrarian was not necessarily a bad thing. Of course, the hours in front of TV watching Magic dominate Bird, and then Showtime versus the Bad Boys, as well as those early trips to the Great Western Forum in anticipation of a Coop-a-loop, or to the Sports Arena to watch whoever was playing the Clippers, established in me a passion, if not love, for the NBA, and provided a critical foundation for examining the racial battles of the NBA.
My parents and siblings, who for some reason don't share my passion for the NBA/the Lakers, instilled in me not just a love of sport, but also a certain level of popular culture literacy that made this project possible. Subsequent experiences—from my Black Studies seminar on the black athlete at the University of California, Santa Barbara with Otis Madison (who knew you could study sport) and my undergraduate thesis project on the black college athlete under the guidance of Cedric Robinson, to the support and mentoring I have received from Harry Edwards—have propelled this project forward. Whether as sources of education and knowledge regarding cultural studies, critical sports studies, race in America, and the history of the NBA, or just as willing and capable partners in trash-talking battles about basketball, many people deserve a lot of love here. I thank Kofi Hadjor, Douglas Daniels, Oliver Wang, Dylan Rodriguez, Jared Sexton, Lea Redmond, Mark Anthony Neal, and Liz Lee, each of whom has pushed me in significant ways to grow into an NBA/cultural studies scholar and, more importantly, to transform myself from a fan into a scholar (who remains a fan). I also have to thank my many high school friends for the hours we spent together on the basketball court during our teenage years and for their analyses of the NBA, which, after irritating and infuriating me, often inspired me to engage in deeper analysis and reflection. I also must thank Todd Boyd, Dave Zirin, William Rhoden, Scoop Jackson, and the many other voices within the popular sporting discourse who continue to offer the challenging and provocative analysis that is sometimes so hard to find. Special thanks to Dave Zirin for suggesting the book's title.
Many intellectual influences (Robin D.G. Kelley, Grant Farred, David Andrews, Joel Rosen, Michael Giardina, Kyle Kusz, Mary McDonald, Dwight McBride, Michael Giardina, Herman Gray, and Patricia Hill Collins)—some of whom I have had the opportunity to learn from directly and others whose words and insight I have only encountered through reading their works—have shaped my understanding of race and sports and deserve a lot of credit for my completion of this project. Big thanks to Rod Murray and Stacey Lorenz for their assistance with source material and inspiring research. Likewise, Nancy Ellengate, my initial editor at State University of New York, and Larin McLaughlin, my second editor, and Andrew Kenyon, my final editor, as well as the rest of the staff at State University of New York Press (particularly Diane Ganeles and Michael Campochiaro), deserve much credit for their constant support and patience. Much thanks also needs to go to C. Richard King, Lisa Guerrero, Carmen Lugo-Lugo, Jose Alamillo, Mary Bloodsworth-Lugo, Kim Christen, Paula Groves-Price, and Rory Ong who form my current intellectual and pedagogical community, not only directly encouraging and assisting me in the completion of this monograph, but inspiring me through their own work and commitment to social justice.
Special thanks need to go to Rich King: Each and every project I work on, especially those in the realm of sports studies, are a testament to your guidance, knowledge, and support. Hopefully this monograph will be as good as Derek Fisher's .04 shot against the San Antonio Spurs, which would mean you are a hall-a-famer like Phil Jackson—someone who inspires, encourages, and facilitates my best.
Less obvious, but no less important, have been the all-too-often invisible efforts of the faculty, students, and staff of the Department of Comparative Ethnic Studies at Washington State University. Whether through posing questions that led me to rethink things in class discussion, these individuals have dramatically impacted my work. This book would look much different, would undoubtedly be inferior, without you. In particular, I wish to thank Sanford Richmond (I wait to hear your counterarguments), Marc Robinson, Robert Zachary Williams, Bruce Lee Hazelwood, Cameron Moody, Martin Boston, Cameron Sparks (KB8/24), Stephen Norris, Pete Caster, Lupe Contreras, and countless others. To Kelvin Monroe, my man, my teammate, who inspires, teaches, and just loves with such grace and ease. Love and respect.
Many thanks (big props) to Jessica Hulst, who served as a research assistant, copy editor, motivational speaker, and spiritual advisor at the inception of this project. Much love and thanks to Amanda Leonard, whose editorial talents and support assisted in the completion of this project. Thanks also to the College of Liberal Arts at Washington State University for financial support.
To my family, I owe a special and significant debt of gratitude that these words can only begin to repay. Their love, support, tolerance, and patience have meant more to me than they know. The years working on this book were tough, but its completion is a testament to our strength and determination to move forward. To Rea Jadyn Leonard, all my love and respect for bringing the joys of life to me each and every day with your intelligence, your thoughtful questions, smiles, and kisses—and, of course, for being a Lakers fan like her Dad. To Sam Holden Leonard, you complete me, because of your energy, your challenging spirit, your silliness, and your love for Kobe and the Lakers. And finally, to Anna Chow, thanks for the encouragement, the love, the respect, the daily insights, and for not complaining about the TV remaining fixed on all things NBA for the past few years. You are both the MVP and the coach of the year for this project.
1
A FTER A RTEST
The NBA and the Assault on Blackness
The real question, how does it feel to be a problem.
—W.E.B. DuBois, 1903 (Quoted in Jackson 2006, p. 9 )
Ron Artest more than likely will be suspended, but so should Kobe.
( Resnick 2009 )
Kobe vs. Artest: Proof Artest Will Kill Your Team
(2009)
NBA Bad Boy Ron Artest of L.A. Lakers Admits He Had A Problem: Drinking During Games!
( Douglas 2009 )
Trevor Ariza loses shoe, Ron Artest tosses it into the stands.
(2009)
Artest, who's trying to put his bad-boy image behind him, said he could simply display his ring in his living room or he could wear it. But I think it'll be more important to give back to something I believe in, which is providing kids with someone to talk to because it's so expensive. I pay for parenting counseling, marriage couns