Analysis Of Forty Million Dollar Slaves

Go out to an urban neighborhood and find a game of pickup basketball. Listen if you can hear any of the kids yell “Iso!” What does it mean? It literally means isolation, but on the court it means “Give me the ball and let me do it myself.” In Forty Million Dollar Slaves, author William C. Rhoden argues white journalists perpetuated the stereotype that black athletes are selfish with a “one-on-one” mentality. However, Rhoden fails to acknowledge that this “one-on-one” mindset on and off the field is a very real dynamic, with legitimate cause. Rhoden claims that the “one-on-one” way of being is not reflective of the black legacy, because that, according to him, has always been about teamwork. This does hold truth. But a one-on-one mentality
Although unlike LeBron in many ways, his presence was similar off the court. Rhoden held the belief that Michael Jordan managed to actually transcend race. This is true. Rhoden believed that Michael Jordan had the opportunity to change the world for the black man, and specifically the black athlete. But that was not the person Jordan wanted to be. Rhoden is hypocritical for pawning off the “one-on-one” idea of not being a team player but then shuns Jordan for clearly choosing that route. It is true Jordan could have created change, but he put his personal goals and ambitions first. Rhoden details the way that Jordan put himself first in order to keep his image and brand separated from the racial politics of the time period. This may be controversial, and he may not like it, but the fact of the matter is, Jordan’s life challenges Rhoden 's fundamental argument. Superior black athletes do go one-on-one on and off the court. Not because white people created and perpetuated the image, but because they have good reasons to do
And more likely than not the next Jordan, and there will be one (just maybe not in basketball), will probably not want to put their entire career and reputation at risk even if it can benefit their entire race. People are motivated out of self-interest, and want to win. Rhoden really wants to believe that all black athletes are selfless and want the best for their community and race. But to expect this is really ludicrous. Kobe truly believes that the ends justifies the means. If he shoots the ball 3 for 21 on any given night but his third make happens to be a game winner, Kobe is a happy man. And if that means that he is hard to play with and teammates do not get along with him, then so be it. In Kobe 's words, “Friends come and go but banners hang