Tiger Woods...My Two Cents

I just wanted to take a moment to weigh in on the Tiger Woods fiasco and try to give some insight from a Black woman's perspective.  I've always been a fan of Tiger Woods and have respected him for his diligence and determination to perfect his craft.  He had a wonderful relationship with his father, which was also quite admirable considering that most African American males don't have the benefit of their fathers in their lives, let alone being raised with one in the home.  I've come to terms with the fact that he doesn't acknowledge the African American side of him, which in my opinion is a slap in the face to his father.  His father loved him no matter what, even after the Cablasian category that Tiger Woods decided to create for himself.

He marries a white woman...fine.  He has 2 beautiful biracial children...wonderful.  He's entitled to his own slice of happiness and a normal life just like everybody else.  My issue is with the details of his marriage, or should I say, "business arrangement".  Business arrangement?  Marriage is a partnership and he has lots of money, so I guess in the most insensitive way his marriage could be constued as a "business arrangement".  However, he also entered into an agreement with his wife that he would love, cherish, and honor her for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death. 

For the first time, I believe that Tiger Woods is faced with the harsh reality that he is a Black man that has crossed the line with a ton of white women.  He's dominated a white sport for years now, and no other golfer can say that he hasn't, but the fact of the matter is he'll never be white...ever.  It doesn't matter how many white wives he acquires, how many white mistresses he beds, or how many white people love him...he's still a black man that has broken the race barrier in a white sport and paved the way for other minorities to enter and gain respect in golf as a profession.

To consider his marriage as a "business arrangement" is a slap in the face to his wife and totally disrepectful.  She loved him enough to have his children and provide a home for him.  Yes, he's rich, but money obviously can't buy enough forgiveness, now can it.  Money can't wipe away the tabloid headlines or keep the constant flow of former mistresses quiet either.  Money can't even change the fact that Tiger Woods is STILL a black man with a big problem on his hands and really needs to determine what's really important to him.

There's nothing wrong with being African American and I'm sorry that Tiger Woods didn't care enough to embrace his heritage, which is clearly undeniable.  Many have come before him that have enabled him to enjoy the life that he has today and it's a damn shame that he's too arrogant to see that.   We are beautiful, despite what this country constantly does to try to stigmatize the African American.  From music to comercials to the lack of presence still in mainstream television, the African American still has a long way to go. 

Thank you Tiger Woods, for allowing me to be prouder than ever to be African American, for I appreciate all that we've accomplished in spite of the obstacles and all that we're continually striving for.