Romeold and Juliet (and Orville)

By Gordon Robinson

I might as well admit it. I've had a huge crush on Olympian Juliet Cuthbert ever since 1992 when I watched her run her heart out in the 100m finals in Barcelona. She was so beautiful, so athletic, so determined that as she ran her heart out, she took mine away.

The Old Ball and Chain and I watched the race together. On our feet the whole way (normally I'd be on the bed doing my famous beached-whale impression), we cheered her every stride. I knew she'd won. When the results were posted, my behaviour went on rapid decline from despicable to downright violent. Subsequent sight of 1991 and 1992 photos of Gail Devers did nothing to improve my attitude.

While all Jamaica loved Merlene, Juliet was always my girl. Recently, she's taken on the impossible task as Old BC's personal trainer. In my old age, I've come to know her (well, we've become acquainted) only to discover she's twice as nice and twice as beautiful in person. I've even forgiven her for marrying the young, handsome, fit, brilliant and hard-working LeVaughn Flynn. I'll still do anything for her.

This explains how Old BC managed to drag me out of bed several Saturdays ago at 9 p.m. (hasn't happened for 45 years) to drive to Portmore. Despite Saturday being my most draining day (horse racing), Old BC succeeded (with the help of a ship-to-shore crane) because the 'event' was Juliet's 50th birthday party. So, for Juliet, and her teenage looks, I surrendered.

THIS ORVILLE THING

I nearly escaped. Upon arrival, my name wasn't on the guest list. I tried to look sad while gleefully asking security where I should turnaround. He said, "Wait a minute," and went to a second guard inside the guardhouse who peered out at me then signalled me to come forward and stop at his window. "Mr Robinson," he said, "I want you to leave Orville Higgins alone. I'm a big Orville Higgins fan."

Sigh. I promised, was allowed entry, and enjoyed myself immensely. I've kept my promise since, but when I foolishly read Orville's sterling May 5, 2014 defence of LA Clippers' owner, headlined 'Black players, monkey chanting and banana tossing', first I tossed my lunch then decided, despite Orville not being educable, his readers deserved better on the 'topic of racism' in sports. Obviously, Orville knows not racism - the worst, most debilitating, soul-destroying evil visited upon anyone. So, with apologies to Juliet's security,

Orville on racism:

"I really sympathise with Mr Sterling ....

... Doesn't Mr Sterling have a right not to like black people, in the same way I should be free not to like whites or Chinese? ... What should be punishable isn't what Sterling THINKS about black people but what he's DOING to them ... . As long as Sterling isn't standing in the way of black people's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he can dislike all he likes, if you get what I'm saying."

No, Orville, only you get what you're saying.

RACIST SUBJUGATION

Learn this, Orville. Racism has NOTHING TO DO with not liking someone, some race, or Jews or Christians. A racist knows beyond peradventure he/she's superior to another simply because of accidents of birth. It's worse. A racist won't acknowledge a 'nigger' as a human being. That's why the word 'nigger' is so offensive when used by whites. It's the code word subjugating blacks as inhuman and identifying the breed of dumb animal to which they belong.

Orville, a racist who finds himself with the power legislates the institutionalisation of niggers' inhumanity. They can't eat at whites-only restaurants. They can't check into whites-only hotels. They can't sit in the front of the bus.

Everything, including racism, begins with thought; then word. Finally, deed. In his private reprimand of his girlfriend for treating blacks like whites, Sterling expressed and exposed his racist thoughts. Girlfriend mustn't be seen walking with blacks. She mustn't bring 'them' to his games. She shouldn't associate with blacks. These are classic racist requirements.

The evidence is incontestable. Sterling is a racist, however benevolent, (whose mild-mannered racism has been used by mainstream US media to avoid reporting on the Real Deal Racist, Clieven Bundy, but that's a whole other matter) who, given half a chance, would subjugate blacks. The majority black NBA hasn't given him that chance.

Stop embarrassing yourself, Orville. Racism is an evil scourge, not simple dislike. If Dani Alves wants to ignore historical reality, God bless him. He's either ignorant or stupid.

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.