Ironically, several hours after
America had cause to pause and ponder the 10th anniversary of one of the most deadly race
riots in its stormy and violent history, "the baddest man on the planet," posed
a very salient question to born again Christian sports pundits: "Does Jesus love
me?" And, as innocent as that question appears, there's a preponderance of evidence
that it has every Black youth trapped in the urban jungles of our Judea-Christian nation
waiting to exhale.
We allude, of course, to the 1992 South Los Angeles riot that was sparked by the acquittal
of four LAPD officers who had starring roles in the brutal beating of Rodney King. We also
allude to the long and rambling ringside diatribe that Mike Tyson engaged in with sports
pundits (covering his training camp on May 1, 2002), in Wailea, Hawaii. The probing
sportswriters, as usual were baiting Iron Mike, who surprisingly was in a good mood. He
even joked about biting Lennox Lewis.
It was music to the sports pundit's ears, to hear Tyson admit that he had acted like an
animal during the ill-fated and controversial Jan. 22, 2002 brawl. A brawl that convinced
the Nevada Boxing Commission to revoke his boxing license and cancelled one of the richest
championship bouts in the state's dubious history. Nevertheless, Tyson later recanted what
he had told a FOX News Channel interviewer, saying, "I said I bit Lennox because that
is what everyone wanted to hear. I will say anything to get under his skin."
However, Tyson, who still feels that he's "the baddest man on the
planet," couldn't resist adding, "But on June 8, flesh will not be enough. I
will take Lennox's title, his soul and smear his pompous brains all over the ring when I
hit him." Naturally, one must consider what Tyson says as hype to promote the already
sold out fight that will be held in Memphis, Tenn. On the other hand, one watching the May
4, 2002 FOX interview was struck as speechless as the sportscasters by Tyson's Jesus
question.
Iron Mike calmly draped his arms over the ropes and peered down at the sports pundits and
asked, "Do you think Jesus could love me?" Perhaps, the surprising question
turned the inquisitive sportswriters into a collective group-- aping like the four
handicapped primates (see, hear, speak, know no evil), because it was so unexpected.
Typically, Tyson had berated the media and the question followed a rather lengthy and
scathing indictment on a hypocritical society that overlooks obvious character flaws in
well-liked athletes or celebrities, but jump on every (real or imagined) transgression
attributed to him.
Lips were sealed, as sportscasters and even Tyson's handlers (with the exception of Ronnie
Shields), looked at each other...pondering, perhaps, searching for a born again Christian
among them to witness, "Yes Mike. Jesus loves you too." Woebeit, nobody dared
say a mumbling word and seemed to be waiting for a punch line. An undeterred Tyson, like a
satisfied Pit Bull gnawing on a juicy bone, asked again: "Do you think Jesus could
love me?"
An answer wasn't forthcoming. Nonetheless, sports talk shows later attempted to make light
of Tyson's obvious challenge of a hypocritical Christian society that is predicated upon
God being respecter of no persons. Tom Joyner's gang on Majic 102 was one of the talk
shows we heard blasting Tyson. They were outraged that he alluded to Michael Jordan's
marital problems. Inasmuch as the radio dissed Tyson for demonizing a role model like
Mike, but failed to address the Jesus question, we must.
African-American News&Issues, as the editorial voice of Black America, would be remiss
not to explain where Iron Mike was coming from. Can a redeeming savior, indeed, love a
wretch undone like Tyson? For sure, that ambiguous question has been asked many times, by
many young bedeviled-- made in America African males. On the real side, any teacher or
preacher, or caring citizen who works with young, confused African warriors in America's
urban jungles recognized the obvious fact that Tyson was asking a loaded question.
It was a spiritual trap, for any born again Christian bold enough to espouse the Gospel of
a Lord and Savior who was born of a virgin, only to die for a sin-sick world so that lost
souls like Mike Tyson could keep hope alive. A politically-correct scriptural answer
certainly would have opened a can of worms that America must discuss sooner or later, if
we expect God to heal our racist land of the free. Make no mistake about it, Tyson was
sincere and expected an answer.
In an almost childlike manner he asked, " Why do people want to make me a monster?
I'm not a Mother Theresa, but I respect anybody who respects me. Why should I respect
people who don't respect me?" Speaking from the heart notwithstanding, America's
jails are bloated with confused, young Black youth who ponder, "Why is it that I'm in
here for 30 years for having a few crack rocks, when those people at Enron stole billions
and destroyed people's lives, but have yet to see the inside of a jail cell?"
Lest we forget, Tyson spent over three years in jail for sexually assaulting a beauty
queen who came to his room in the wee hours, but the Holy of Holiest are protecting
priests who allegedly ravished innocent believers. It's a small wonder why Mike Tyson
questions whether, or not Jesus loves him. Meanwhile, millions of confused Black youths,
who also have serious reason to doubt that God is a respecter of no persons, are waiting
to exhale when somebody tells them that Jesus loves persecuted thugs like Mike Tyson too.
We suggest they don't hold their breath. |
