Here is a list of Sports Blogs ordered by Last Commented, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
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The Other Side of the Muhammad Ali Story
June 3, 2016 marked the death of arguably the greatest and most beloved Black athlete in history: Muhammad Ali.
No sport has exploited athletes, particularly Black athletes, quite like boxing. The very first boxers in America were African slaves. White slave owners would amuse themselves by forcing slaves to box to the death while wearing iron collars.
Even after the abolition of slavery, boxing became the first sport to be desegregated so that white boxing promoters could continue to exploit Blacks and make money from the deep racism in American society.
Eugenics was used to justified slavery, and the pseudo science of the time “proved” that Blacks were not only mentally inferior, but also physically inferior to whites.
Ironically, early white fight promoters unwittingly created a space where Black boxers could destroy white supremacist ideas of society and racial hierarchy.
The 1910 victory of Jack Johnson against “The Great White Hope” launched one of the greatest nationwide race riots in U.S. history. Out of that embarrassment, in which a Black man defeated a white man, Congress passed a law outlawing boxing films.
With a brief look at the history of boxing, it is abundantly clear that the races and cultures that have suffered the most at any given time always tend to produce the greatest champions.
Boxing has a tendency to both attract and indeed pray upon talent from underprivileged minority communities. Through boxing, one can read a direct chart of the underprivileged in America. The sport highlights the line of minorities who struggle to make it up the ladder, until they succeed, and then disappear from the boxing scene. Tellingly, the minorities that remain in the ring today are a consequence of still being on the bottom rung of America’s economic ladder.
You had the waves of underprivileged Jewish boxers, then Irish boxers, Italian-American boxers, African American boxers, and now, increasingly Hispanic boxers.
In a society that is so violently racist, the sport of boxing became an escape valve for people’s anger. Boxing symbolized a twisted manifestation of the American dream, where minorities have to, literally, fight their way out of poverty.
The modern image of Muhammad Ali, portrayed by the establishment, is one of a Black man dancing in the ring and shouting, “I am the greatest!” His image is now used to sell everything from luxury cars to soft drinks.
Despite the establishment’s whitewashing and Santaclausification of Ali’s image, history shows that the true Muhammad Ali was a staunch Black Nationalist, who was good friends with Malcolm X, and a member of the Black Power group, The Nation of Islam.
Ali was unquestionably the best boxer in history, not simply because of his achievements in the ring, but because he brought the fight against racism and war into professional sports.
Muhammad Ali grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, as the Black freedom struggle was heating up and beginning to boil over. Born in Louisville as Cassius Clay to a house painter and domestic worker, Ali was immersed in America’s racist nature from birth.
After winning the Olympic gold medal at the age of 18, Ali was so proud of his medal that he said he wore it round his neck almost all the time. Fellow Olympian W. Rudolph remarked, “He slept with it, he went to the cafeteria with it. He never took it off.”
Days after returning from the Olympic games, Ali was eating in a restaurant with the medal swinging around his neck and he was denied service by the white restaurant owners. Ali then threw the gold medal into the Ohio river.
Ali found answers to America’s racism in friend and mentor Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. “X and Ali were one in the same,” journalist J. Tinsley wrote. “Both were young, handsome, intelligent, outspoken African American men who scared the crap out of White America during a time period when racial tension was the norm.”
(Cont'd in Comments section)
No sport has exploited athletes, particularly Black athletes, quite like boxing. The very first boxers in America were African slaves. White slave owners would amuse themselves by forcing slaves to box to the death while wearing iron collars.
Even after the abolition of slavery, boxing became the first sport to be desegregated so that white boxing promoters could continue to exploit Blacks and make money from the deep racism in American society.
Eugenics was used to justified slavery, and the pseudo science of the time “proved” that Blacks were not only mentally inferior, but also physically inferior to whites.
Ironically, early white fight promoters unwittingly created a space where Black boxers could destroy white supremacist ideas of society and racial hierarchy.
The 1910 victory of Jack Johnson against “The Great White Hope” launched one of the greatest nationwide race riots in U.S. history. Out of that embarrassment, in which a Black man defeated a white man, Congress passed a law outlawing boxing films.
With a brief look at the history of boxing, it is abundantly clear that the races and cultures that have suffered the most at any given time always tend to produce the greatest champions.
Boxing has a tendency to both attract and indeed pray upon talent from underprivileged minority communities. Through boxing, one can read a direct chart of the underprivileged in America. The sport highlights the line of minorities who struggle to make it up the ladder, until they succeed, and then disappear from the boxing scene. Tellingly, the minorities that remain in the ring today are a consequence of still being on the bottom rung of America’s economic ladder.
You had the waves of underprivileged Jewish boxers, then Irish boxers, Italian-American boxers, African American boxers, and now, increasingly Hispanic boxers.
In a society that is so violently racist, the sport of boxing became an escape valve for people’s anger. Boxing symbolized a twisted manifestation of the American dream, where minorities have to, literally, fight their way out of poverty.
The modern image of Muhammad Ali, portrayed by the establishment, is one of a Black man dancing in the ring and shouting, “I am the greatest!” His image is now used to sell everything from luxury cars to soft drinks.
Despite the establishment’s whitewashing and Santaclausification of Ali’s image, history shows that the true Muhammad Ali was a staunch Black Nationalist, who was good friends with Malcolm X, and a member of the Black Power group, The Nation of Islam.
Ali was unquestionably the best boxer in history, not simply because of his achievements in the ring, but because he brought the fight against racism and war into professional sports.
Muhammad Ali grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, as the Black freedom struggle was heating up and beginning to boil over. Born in Louisville as Cassius Clay to a house painter and domestic worker, Ali was immersed in America’s racist nature from birth.
After winning the Olympic gold medal at the age of 18, Ali was so proud of his medal that he said he wore it round his neck almost all the time. Fellow Olympian W. Rudolph remarked, “He slept with it, he went to the cafeteria with it. He never took it off.”
Days after returning from the Olympic games, Ali was eating in a restaurant with the medal swinging around his neck and he was denied service by the white restaurant owners. Ali then threw the gold medal into the Ohio river.
Ali found answers to America’s racism in friend and mentor Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. “X and Ali were one in the same,” journalist J. Tinsley wrote. “Both were young, handsome, intelligent, outspoken African American men who scared the crap out of White America during a time period when racial tension was the norm.”
(Cont'd in Comments section)
Morning teasing and temptation
Those who watched my last Rolling Block video on plimking.com probably recognize the pile of logs shown here as the target of that video.
So it was morning, the air still with morning fog and in my flip flops I stepped out on my deck with my first cup of coffee. And there it was, an alternative target. 40 to 50 pounds of fresh venison.
Three things saved it. The most important of course is this is not the season. Second my morning coffee always goes before the hunt. Third, I was still sleepy and my focus today is about mowing 4 foot high meadow grass, not guns or killing deer.
None the less, this young buck cooperated and remained in place while I slipped back inside and found my camera, then came back outside and took this picture while he ignored me. So I share this morning view with you all.
So it was morning, the air still with morning fog and in my flip flops I stepped out on my deck with my first cup of coffee. And there it was, an alternative target. 40 to 50 pounds of fresh venison.
Three things saved it. The most important of course is this is not the season. Second my morning coffee always goes before the hunt. Third, I was still sleepy and my focus today is about mowing 4 foot high meadow grass, not guns or killing deer.
None the less, this young buck cooperated and remained in place while I slipped back inside and found my camera, then came back outside and took this picture while he ignored me. So I share this morning view with you all.
Ice Skating
It was a beautiful day months ago suddenly I think I want to do Ice Skating!! :)
Now I'm still at beginning level. I hope my skill will be improved soon.
The question is: do you think I'm crazy to choose this sport at my ages? Because lot of people say it's dangerous for old people because it's easy be breaking legs or something on body. But the problem is I do like this sport... Hixhix... :(
What should I do?
Now I'm still at beginning level. I hope my skill will be improved soon.
The question is: do you think I'm crazy to choose this sport at my ages? Because lot of people say it's dangerous for old people because it's easy be breaking legs or something on body. But the problem is I do like this sport... Hixhix... :(
What should I do?
Twitching Muscles
A few weeks ago, I wrote, a bit of exercise wouldn't kill me.
Think I will retract that statement
Tuesday evening, I attended a beginners fitness class,
Beginners my a**
Started with 5 reps of 8k kettle weight swings, 5 kettle squats with lift followed by 5 press ups, for 5 minutes.
From there we hit a circuit of 3 mins sit ups, 3 mins pull ups, 3 mins mountain climb, 3 mins kettle squats, finishing with 3 mins of pushing a heavy yoke the length of the room. My muscles were burning like hell
Was this really a beginners class
We then did 10 kettle swings, 10 kettle squats with lift, 10 push ups, and sprint to the other side of the room, then 9 of each & sprint, 8 of each & sprint, 7 etc until we hit 1.
Lastly, it was sit ups, at this point, I was glad just to lay on the floor, looking at the ceiling, and thank god, I didn't throw up or pass out or indeed quit.
That was Tuesday, and my muscles are still twitching, barely able to lift myself out of the chair, let alone lift another kettle weight - Doing the same next week,
woop woop, cant wait 
Think I will retract that statement
Tuesday evening, I attended a beginners fitness class,
Beginners my a**
Started with 5 reps of 8k kettle weight swings, 5 kettle squats with lift followed by 5 press ups, for 5 minutes.
From there we hit a circuit of 3 mins sit ups, 3 mins pull ups, 3 mins mountain climb, 3 mins kettle squats, finishing with 3 mins of pushing a heavy yoke the length of the room. My muscles were burning like hell
Was this really a beginners class
We then did 10 kettle swings, 10 kettle squats with lift, 10 push ups, and sprint to the other side of the room, then 9 of each & sprint, 8 of each & sprint, 7 etc until we hit 1.
Lastly, it was sit ups, at this point, I was glad just to lay on the floor, looking at the ceiling, and thank god, I didn't throw up or pass out or indeed quit.
That was Tuesday, and my muscles are still twitching, barely able to lift myself out of the chair, let alone lift another kettle weight - Doing the same next week,
woop woop, cant wait 
Bedroom Cricket
This is a delightful variant of the game if you understand the rules. Unlike games like golf and bowls, there is no green fees payable although there may be ball fees applicable in certain cases.
Another advantage of this version is that you won’t need any special gear like in the normal game; it is played with the existing equipment providing that such equipment is in prime condition. The game is played on a pitch and the pitch is normally laid out in the middle of a double bed. As a variation, a rug in front of the fireplace, the couch in the lounge, or the kitchen table will make very good substitutes for the bed. Even the wall of a shower cubicle has produced some exiting games.
You can play a limited over version of this game at work in which case the pitch is laid out on the office desk. This variant is called a ‘quickie’.
When in dire need to play, the pitch can be laid out on a car’s backseat but this is not recommended for the ‘not so young’ players because if the pitch is longer than the field. it may cause some discomfort to older players.
The game is usually played by two players; the visitor and the owner of the pitch. The owner of the pitch takes strike at the one end where she has to cover her wickets while the visitor will deliver his balls from the other end. The visitor is advised not to deliver his balls too quickly. He should spend some time exploring other regions of the pitch and pay some special attention to the two pavilions at the far end of the pitch.
On the other hand, the owner of the pitch should not guard her wickets too efficiently as the visitor may not come to play on the pitch again if he does not score.
The pitch is usually carefully prepared; sometimes the grass on it is kept very short to assure a smooth delivery of the ball and to get some lift from a good length.
Occasionally a third player may join the game while it is still in progress, in which case the player receiving strike is said to be caught behind the wickets. The visitor is deemed to be caught with his pants down and may be in trouble if the third player has any residential claim on the pitch.
Finally, it is important to leave the pitch in the condition that it was found and to leave no markings on it (unless specifically requested) lest the pitch may have a permanent grounds man. Prospective players should note that most pitches become unplayable at times due to periodic maintenance.
Hey, we have a long weekend coming up.
Another advantage of this version is that you won’t need any special gear like in the normal game; it is played with the existing equipment providing that such equipment is in prime condition. The game is played on a pitch and the pitch is normally laid out in the middle of a double bed. As a variation, a rug in front of the fireplace, the couch in the lounge, or the kitchen table will make very good substitutes for the bed. Even the wall of a shower cubicle has produced some exiting games.
You can play a limited over version of this game at work in which case the pitch is laid out on the office desk. This variant is called a ‘quickie’.
When in dire need to play, the pitch can be laid out on a car’s backseat but this is not recommended for the ‘not so young’ players because if the pitch is longer than the field. it may cause some discomfort to older players.
The game is usually played by two players; the visitor and the owner of the pitch. The owner of the pitch takes strike at the one end where she has to cover her wickets while the visitor will deliver his balls from the other end. The visitor is advised not to deliver his balls too quickly. He should spend some time exploring other regions of the pitch and pay some special attention to the two pavilions at the far end of the pitch.
On the other hand, the owner of the pitch should not guard her wickets too efficiently as the visitor may not come to play on the pitch again if he does not score.
The pitch is usually carefully prepared; sometimes the grass on it is kept very short to assure a smooth delivery of the ball and to get some lift from a good length.
Occasionally a third player may join the game while it is still in progress, in which case the player receiving strike is said to be caught behind the wickets. The visitor is deemed to be caught with his pants down and may be in trouble if the third player has any residential claim on the pitch.
Finally, it is important to leave the pitch in the condition that it was found and to leave no markings on it (unless specifically requested) lest the pitch may have a permanent grounds man. Prospective players should note that most pitches become unplayable at times due to periodic maintenance.
Hey, we have a long weekend coming up.
A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, your thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you have learned. It's your own page on Connecting Singles that you can update on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. You can write about an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with Connecting Singles members. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about members you have met here. Please be sure to read the blog rules before posting.
Would YOU like to post a blog on Connecting Singles? Have you written blogs that you'd like to share with other members? Posting your blogs shows your skill and creativity and helps members get to know you better. Your blog will appear on the Connecting Singles Blogs page and also in a link on your profile page. Click here to post a blog »