Freedom to Choose
I agree with some parts of Dr. Emmett Gill Jr.’s article (see “The Prevalence of Black Females in College Sports: It’s Just An Illusion,” May 31) but also disagree with some. His facts are very true about female racial un-balance among university athletes, but beyond that, the story has no merit. Forcing athletes to join certain sports so that some quotas can be filled is simply irrational. Freedom to choose is the basis of democracy. Dr. Gill’s example reminds me of university cafeterias across the country, or Sunday morning church services — in both cases, people of different races choose to “sit” among people of their own color.
Providing equal opportunity via Title IX for male/female athletes is as far as the NCAA should go. A number of female athletes do benefit from it, but it is not the NCAA’s place to promote Title IX to a specific race. This, perhaps, should be left to their parents, coaches, teachers and pastors. To paraphrase Adam Smith, do not undermine the power of the invisible hand.
— Miren Ivankovic
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