Do you believe Jim Thorpe's statement about discrimination ?

Question

The following is a statement a black PGA champion tour made about the lynch /noose comments by Kelly Tilghman and GolfWeek in the Sports/golf section. "Thorpe called golf a "gentleman's game" and said he's never felt discriminated against in the sport. " What planet did he play golf on. Before Tiger Woods, the black PGA Tour golfers were treated like any black at that time. I would like to know how many country clubs invitied Jimmy boy to become a member, or many products sponsor's did he have back then compared to average white professional golf of that time. Sorry jim, but you are not helping golf with such bull. To say that he "never felt discriminated against in the sport" , is very hard to believe unless.. he may have been white at that time.

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-golfweek-thorpe&prov=ap&type=lgns

Answer 1

it is his opinion, his opinion alone , it is his judgement he was not . therfore that is the truth . take it or leave it . i would not ever call a great football plater like this a liar today he would be in the nfl . of course you are entitled to your opinion . it is your right . judging from your question i hate to break the news to you but the holcoust really did happen

Answer 2

If the guy has never felt discriminated against, then I believe he would know it.  That doesn't mean it hasn't happened in other aspects of his life.  He also may have some thick skin that many minorities have or have had to develop over time and not allow things like that to affect him adversely.  Tiger Woods has had his share of it as well and I am not talking about what occurred a couple weeks ago.  After he won the Masters in '97, he did a commercial stating that there were 23 courses in America that he couldn't play on because of the color of his skin.  Everybody with any knowledge of golf's past knows that this sport is/was highly elitest.  Why do you think it is so expensive to become a member of a country club?  You know the answer.  Augusta National has one black member to my knowledge and that happened in response to what Al Campanis said.  That was in '87 or '88.  Thorpe may feel that way, but you may have to read between the lines.  Typically when race is involved that is the case.

Answer 3

Well I hate the golf community they are pretentious a******s man gonna have to agree with you. Bu maybe Jim's a very likeable guy who hasn't been discriminated against. The golf business is very rich they are frat boy or valley girl mentality.

Stereotype maybe but this is from my experience they are pretentious and think they are kings and better the world by being so great. Golf is a game gentlemans game whatever

to me a golf should be enjoyed by family and friends. Still today at public courses they have a secret club mentality its as if you need to know the mayor in order to play but of course you can still play it just has that feel.

Answer 4

people can take what they what from what he said.

Answer 5

How nice of you to call Jim Thorpe a liar. Tell me, is he a cheat and womanizer too? You seem to know all about him.

Answer 6

Ditto on the other answers.  You're attacking the guys opinion?! You're a moron.

Answer 7

How many more slings and arrows must we suffer at the hands of these female golf commentators? Won't the h**l ever stop?

Answer 8

i caddy at a country club 20 years ago and your right

Answer 9

He's doing what everyone else should: Put it away. There's always going to be people who treat you how you do not want to be treated; I don't care if your black, white, or purple. Just go out there and enjoy the game.

Answer 10

Do I believe him? I guess so, if he says it's true - only he knows for a fact.  JASON G is on point with his answer, I bet he has a high tolerance or measure of it or maybe he has buried the hatchet and has moved on...  doesn't matter if he personally was discriminated against - it exist none the less.

There is some hateful racism as recent as September 2007 in this country:http://www.rapsoulurbanmagazine.net/id27...

I'm black and 40 and in the 20 years I have played I have been openly discriminated against 5 times overtly that I count and many more times with more sophisticated racism.  Cape Code when a guy wouldn't shake my hand and didn't want his 8 year old kid to touch me either <By the end of the round we were chatting and had lunch together once he got to know me - and I stomped him on the scorecard>, followed around the pro shop but not asking if I need help, directly treated poorly by course staff, the "hovering" ranger that watches me play my entire round from his golf cart, the "N" word...

Answer 11

I dont think it's discrimination.  It's just bad golf course management.    I'm not black and I feel  the people that work in the golf course are jerks and losers.  Stop annoy golfers with  "Please play faster", "Please tee up faster".  Can I just enjoy the moment and play with peace?  We pay the pricey green fee and yet they annoy us big time.   Sometimes I feel Golf if the waste of your time and money.

Answer 12

wow...cant believe he said he has dealt with no discrimination in golf. i dont believe him. the old age must be making him delusional, lol.

Answer 13

I do not believe that there is anyone, regardless of race or gender, that has not been discriminated against by someone in their lifetime.  It is up to the individual to decide how they are going to deal with it.  If a person has such low self-esteem that they actually care what a person thinks of them thinks I believe that they have a problem that they need to overcome themselves not to let others fight their battles for them or complain about the way they perceive others to treat them.

Answer 14

Yes, I believe Jim if he says HE DIDN'T FEEL discrimination against HIMSELF while in the sport.

Some people are ultra-sensitive and just looking for reasons to be offended.  Obviously, Jim is not one of them.

Answer 15

Golf is a single person sports and your biggest competition is yourself versus a team sport. Golfer tend to get into a different zone where discrimination can not matter. If you are good as Jimmy is or was he probably played a lot of pick-up game and when they "old boys found out that he could play he was in...the struggle in Golf is sponsorships since an agent will not picked you up unless you are winning some tournaments.  The membership in these clubs probably did not come into play if he was working for the course as a caddy or some sup.  In his mind, he was doing great and he was a cut above those who were struggling in his neighborhood because he could play with the "Big Dogs,"everyday.

Answer 16

I am sure that Jim has been discriminated against both on and by the PGA TOUR. It may not have been done openly or vociferously , but rest assured that it has been done. I being a lover of the game and play three or four rounds a week , see discrimination being attempted everytime I go out to play, and this is on Public Courses.Having said that, as a black golfer I say less move on let your Club do the talking, and may we continue to  "Love Kelly"

Answer 17

How do you figure that YOU know more about how Jim Thorpe was treated more than Jim Thorpe knows how HE was treated?