Northwest Miss. C.C. Caste System

[Colonel_Reb]

As a 2'nd generation alumnus of NWCC, I believe I have the authority and knowledge to comment on the prevalence of the Caste System in this junior college commonly referred to as the "little Ole Miss." The coach for the last 20 seasons was Bobby Ray Franklin, a 1950's star for the Ole Miss Rebels. He came to coach in 1984, when the team was about equally white and black. In 1973, the team had close to 20 blacks and about 35 whites. By the time Franklin last team, the 2004 Rangers were playing, their were a mere 12 whites left on a team with several more players overall than the 73 squad. This at a school that remains over 60% white in enrollment.

I have asked myself time and time again why Franklin, who played on a great all-white team will only recruit blacks. His last offensive system before his retirement was dumbed down to help the black QB he had brought in. The defense has been all black for several years. The few whites who franklin recruited the last few years were very good, and went on to have great senior college careers. It is strange that a man such as himself, who was given many chances to prove himself when he was a player, will not give whites like him a chance to play on his team. It is no wonder that the crowds have dwindled to numbers that are usually found at the basketball games, which also feature all black teams, both girls and boys.

 

[Don Wassall]

I could be wrong but it seems to me at times that Southern white men are the worst promoters of the Caste System. It's like they're overcompensating for being from the "old, racist South." The Bowdens, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Spurrier, Jerry Jones andJackie Sherrill come to mind right away.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Those are very good examples Don, and I think you are right on the money. The end result of this has been black as coal teams with no defense to speak of. Jackie Sherill was reviled by many people here in Mississippi when he began going all black in the early 90's. The sad thing about it is that most fans have the opinion, "well, as long as we win the Egg Bowl, I don't care what we do," or "as long as we're winning." The end result for Jackie Sherrill was three 3 win seasons in a row. They finally fired the guy who spent all of his 13 seasons turning Mississippi State into the Blackdogs.

 

[sport historian]

Don's comment that "Southern white men are the worst promoters of theCaste System" has sometruth to it. Members of the media have a built-in loathing for white Southern men, unless they have the "right" views. These men may be trying to make sure they are "acceptable."


However, this works in another way. I read somewhere that blacks like it when a white man with a Southern accent is on their side. I believe this is true. Note thesupport that blacks have for Bill Clinton. I once glanced at a book by Vince Matthews, a medal winner in the 1972 Olympics (while protesting), where he wrote something like, "If a white southerner says he like you, he probably does. With a northerner, you can't be sure."


I believe blacks like playing for a football coach with a Southern background who showers praise and favoritism on them. There are so many examples of this. I remember once that Jim Brown said that Earl Campbell was lucky to play for Bum Phillips where "he would be cared about." Brown himself enjoyed playing for Blanton Collier, a Kentuckian.

 

[Don Wassall]

Interesting post, SH. There are undoubtedly some very interesting psychological factors going on between white head coaches and their predominantly black charges. I have no idea of the mindset of someone like Jim Haslet, but when I watch him with his virtually all-black team it reminds me a bit of a Southern plantation -- the boss man and the black laborers.


Southern teams are alsothe blackest simply because there are more blacksin the Souththan anywhere else in the country, especially when compared to the Midwest and West. That makes it easier for coaches to recruit nothing but blacks for every position except QB, o-lineman and kicker.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Sport historian, no doubt there is that mentality around here. The good old white coach will take care of his black "men." He won't let anyone bring race into anything, and questions the motives of anyone who tries.

Don, good observation on Haslet. He does seem like the overseer type, doesn't he. I think the reason blacks may like playing for Southern coaches may have something to do with the paternalism that began in slavery, where whites would do anything to protect "their people." Many whites today show this same protection over certain blacks with whom they have ties with. Of course, paternalism is seen as destructive and racist by the liberals. I can see how it can possibly be harmful in some situations, but I don't think it can be considered racist in any way, unless you are discussing the paternalism shown to those on welfare, white and black. Welfare is nothing more to me than a government run example of paternalism, which is discriminatory.