RGIII: A For Real Brother

 Robert Griffin III and Fiance Robecca Liddicoat

The Real Jeff Stewart                                                  2/6/2013

     Much has been made of successful African American men dating and or marrying non African American women. The latest to make the news is Washington Redskins rookie sensation quarterback Robert Griffin III, known affectionately as RGIII. As a lifelong fan of my hometown Washington Redskins, the non football related attention thrust upon RGIII caught my attention. Rob Parker, a black sports journalist and former ESPN First Take morning show guest wondered aloud on First Take if RGIII is a “real brother or a cornball brother”. He said when he goes to DC this is the feedback that he receives - that black folk in the Nations Capital are questioning his blackness. He pointed to his white fiancé and the fact the RGIII votes republican as part of his argument. To the latter I say if the republicans are the party that protects the wealthy, RGIII IS WEALTHY. (Parker was suspended and later fired by ESPN for his comments – here's the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdQL4aRSjPI). In an article written by Michael H. Cottman for Black Americaweb.com (Black Women: Is RG3 down With Me?) he recalled a conversation he overheard at Texas Stadium before a Dallas Cowboys game.

“Why is RG3 dating a white girl?” one angry black woman asked her girlfriend. “I guess black women aren’t good enough for him.” “I’m just tired of it,” said another black woman.

     So are successful black men abandoning their black sisters for white women? Maybe. But I’m going to make the argument that more often than not, that may not be the case! Let’s take RGIII, who graduated from Baylor University, where he met his fiancé. Of the approximately 12,000 students who attend Baylor, 65% are white, 13% are Hispanic and 8% are black. 54% are female and 46% are male. So in terms of sheer numbers there are about 500 black women versus 6,500 white women at Baylor. For every 100 women RGIII passed in the hallways and on campus, only 8 were black. He didn’t necessarily have to seek out white women, they were just there. Conversely, he just didn’t see that many black women. Now of course it’s true if RGIII had gone to a historically black college or university, those numbers would have been reversed and then some and I’ll address that later in this article.

     Now let’s talk about successful black men in general. What was the most their common path to their success? What type of individuals and social and economic settings did this path lead him through? My point is, as these men climbed the ladder of success, the “air up there” becomes whiter. So once these men become successful and they look around for companionship, what do they now see in their more successful surroundings, black folks or white folks? So why is he now looking for companionship AFTER becoming successful anyway – because we all know a black woman doesn’t want ‘no broke ass man’. But all kidding aside I feel a big part of this has to do with choices and opportunity. As people become more successful, they have more choices at their disposal. So as black men become more educated, more socially and financially successful they too have more choices. The world is not so big anymore. Career paths, major colleges and universities, etc that were out of reach are now attainable. Sure RGIII could have gone too a Historically Black College. It would have been a bonanza for a Howard University or a Grambling University, where by the way Doug Williams, the only black QB to win a Super Bowl attended. The difference is how many white schools even offered Doug Williams a scholarship as compared to RGIII. RGIII had more choices. And Baylor’s games were televised. Their home opener in RGIII’s last season was on prime time ESPN.

     I have to talk about Housewives of Atlanta. Here you have black women who are married to or divorced from successful black athletes and businessman. And yet it’s nothing for one of them to get into an argument in public setting or social gathering, dressed in formal wear, talking about “I’ll beat that hoe ass”. Granted it is a reality show, a sometimes over dramatization of situations black men know to be a fact. So if there was an argument that successful black men have abandoned black women and seek out white women, the perception that black women can’t leave the hood mentality behind once they reach a certain level of success may be a reason. I’m just saying.

Keeping it Real from The Real Jeff Stewart 
Of course RGIII is a “real brother”. Or more importantly what we would want a real brother to be like. Within the sports world, RGIII is considered mature beyond his years and a leader from day one who was named a team captain as a rookie. You don’t really hear much about RGIII beyond sports, and that’s a good thing – that he’s NOT in the news. So people like the Rob Parker’s of the world try to dig up stuff. As a matter of fact I’d question if ROB PARKER was a cornball brother – look how he dresses. By the way, I don’t know where Rob Parker hangs out when he’s goes to DC, but I know it’s probably not with ‘real brothers’, because real brothers ain't questioning RGIII’s blackness (as Rob Parker alluded too).  All we want to know is will the man who takes our breath away on the field be ready to play next season after having knee surgery.

The Real Jeff Stewart

Now 54 years old black I was born and raised in SE Washington and latter bought a home in Upper Marlboro, a suburb of DC. I'm currently living in Savannah GA. I vote democrat, am married with a grown daughter and teenage son, with all the trapping of an upper middle class life style. My past relationships with women were always good and I’ve never had a women break my heart (although some may argue the reverse is not true). I have no animosity toward black women, and I’ve never dated a white woman. For more information or permission to reprint this copyrighted article please contact me: therealjeffstewart@gmail.com.