Published: April 27, 2008 12:50 am            

LUCINSKI: Sports column sparks controversy

This is an issue that’s been going on for quite a while now.

It started back in December when sports reporter Nate Beutel wrote a commentary centering on the Niagara Catholic varsity basketball team. In the commentary, Beutel criticized three players on the squad for what he characterized as a lack of effort and a poor attitude. They were student-athletes who had been expected to lead the Patriot squad to a solid record but, according to Beutel and others he quoted, were falling short of the mark.

The photo that accompanied the column pictured the three young men in question. All of them are African-American. That’s what turned the commentary into an issue.

The grandmother of one of the players, Synobia Gordon, and others in the minority community, took exception with Beutel’s commentary. Here is Ms. Gordon’s response:

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Hidden racism and bigotry

Like Nate Beutel, I wanted to vent my anger about an article written late last year about the Niagara Catholic’s Big 3. The article is really about three young African-American males.

The article is supposed to have been about sports. Instead he turned it into a mean personal attack on the three young men.

It’s sad that in the year 2008, racism and bigotry still exist in what is suppose to be most progressive nation in the world.

Now let’s analyze the article:

n A basketball team has 12 players on a team.

n There are five players per team on the court at one time.

n They alone were described as liars, simply because during a previous interview after a team win, what was the reason for the win? A mere opinion. This does not make anyone a liar.

n If only the Big 3 lost the game what does this say about the rest of the team or the other two players on the court? Which generally is non-minority. I love the whole team.

n “They need an education” made it seem as though you were implying they are not getting an education at Niagara Catholic and not all of the Big 3 were on academic probation.

n Everyone has personal problems, so what does that have to do with sports?

n Their immaturity off the court: What do you know about these young men? Do you visit their homes? Do you know their families or even hang out with them?

These are good young men and very much loved by their families and their community. They have never been in any trouble with the law which is a blessing. You would not know this by reading your article.

I personally spoke with Nate about the article. He said he reviewed the article after complaints and he found nothing wrong with it, that he stood behind it. What does that tell you?

You did not only insult these ballplayers, you offended their families and community. About being liars: What lies did you tell to get them to get them to pose for this article? You are a liar by your own admission. You changed your mind about writing a positive article to this garbage that appeared in this article. A grown man lying to children or using what was supposed to be a sports article into a personal attack sounds like a hissy fit because a game was lost. Did you bet on the game?

To be the local community college coach it’s your job to teach the rules and good sportsmanship. These are children and as adults we have a responsibility to advise and mold young people in the ways of God and the world. I guess you changed your mind about whiny babies since you have already interviewed the Big 3 to play for you. Be careful what you say as parents have a lot to say about what colleges their children attend.

In a city like Niagara Falls that is trying to rebound and become a prosperous city again it’s attitude like yours that hinders harmony and progress and really has no place here.

The community newspaper needs to recognize that the minority community is here and we are not going anywhere. We are sick and tired of negative articles like this and we will respond in kind. I feel you owe the team, their families and the community an apology. Are you mature enough to apologize?

I am the grandmother of, Dyrell Dolson: Parents with attitudes; Marcean Dolson, Catrina Dolson, Theresa Jones and community.

Let’s test your intelligence: Look up the words, defamation, liable, slander and attorney. Parents, protect your children from unscrupulous want-to-be sports reporters. Your child could be his next victim, if they do not perform to Nate’s standards.

Synobia Gordon

Niagara Falls

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Gazette staff met with community members, including the head of the local NAACP chapter, about concerns over the Beutel column. The publisher paid an in-person visit to family members of the players involved. The publishing of Ms. Gordon’s opinion is a result of that meeting.

The expression of all kinds of viewpoints is crucial to a free and open society. That is why the Gazette publishes a daily Opinions page. The more voices, the more ways to view our community and our world, the better off we all will be.

Our sports department deals with and reports on black athletes every day. Never does the color of their skin color what is written about them. We let the facts and opinions of their athletic prowess or lack thereof make the news, not the fact of their race.

Did the Gazette make a mistake in publishing the commentary? The mistake had nothing to do with race: It had to do with age. It is one thing to criticize professional athletes and, to a great extent, college athletes. They are big boys and girls. They can take criticism and should expect it when it is warranted.

But high school and prep athletes need to be given the benefit of the doubt, afforded less criticism and more room for development. The Gazette sports department will maintain that policy with all the young athletes we cover. Black or white.

The Gazette apologizes to Ms. Gordon, her family, the student-athletes involved and their families.

Dick Lucinski is the managing editor of the Niagara Gazette. His columns appear on Wednesday and Sunday.

        

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