Parker’s award just a bit tainted

In the middle of another day’s overly hectic rat race, the idea of getting a quiet table in the corner of a restaurant was designed to provide a few minutes of relaxation before entering the next arena of business world competition.

A few deep breaths … a cold beverage … a tasty arugula and avocado salad topped with seared tuna … some moments of pleasant thoughts. All seemed to be going well.

And then came the jarring news.

During moments of idly watching a talk show on FS1, the Fox Sports station, an announcement came across the screen. Rob Parker was named Sports Reporter of the Year … by the National Association of Black Journalists.

Congratulations to Rob Parker. He probably deserved the recognition. But it is a tainted recognition.

Why is there a need for a National Association of Black Journalists? And why is there a need for an award open only to black journalists? Isn’t Parker’s work good enough to stand up against the rest of the people reporting on sports? Certainly, there was a day when most sports reporters were white but that has changed greatly in recent years.

There also was a day when most sports reporters were male. That also has gone through a remarkable change. Should there also be a National Association of Female Journalists?

There also is a National Association of Black Accountants. And a National Association of Black Social Workers. And a National Association of Black MBAs.

Is this partition of the work force along color lines really necessary?

The same thought often has come to the surface politically, regarding the Congressional Black Caucus. At least in that case there are critically important national issues that concern only black Americans. Those issues need a champion. The rest or the racial organizations seem rather frivolous.

And that applies doubly to the National Association of Black Journalists. Segregating accomplishment by color is ridiculous. Sports is supposed to be the great equalizer. At least since the days when Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier.

A perennial .300 hitter always will be a .300 hitter, whether they are black or white. Or, in the case of future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, whether or not they are Japanese.

What is so surprising is the fact that these color lines are being perpetuated by the very people who suffered for so long under the yoke of segregation. Now they create their own barriers?

In my formative years, I was lucky enough to grow up in a house that was color blind. Peo-