Dr. Boyce Watkins to Speak at NAACP Event on Charles Barkley, Marion Jones and the Evolution of the Black Male Athlete

Controversial professor and ESPN guest analyst to speak on the black male athlete, his role in society and solutions to related problems.

Syracuse, NY (PRWEB) September 16, 2006 -- Dr. Boyce Watkins, ESPN guest analyst and author of “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” is going to speak for the 1st meeting of the Syracuse NAACP about the evolution of the black male athlete. The speech is to take place in the room next to the Schine Underground on the campus of Syracuse University at 7 pm on Monday, September 18. Dr. Watkins has appeared in several national media outlets, including “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith,” USA Today, The New York Times, Smart Money Magazine, and ESPN Radio. In his appearances, he provides perspectives on the role of the black male in America, with the black male athlete being a critical part of the experience.

“Black athletes have an important role to fill in our society, and many of them have become incapable of fulfilling it,” says Watkins, who has been a visiting Scholar with the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. “Our society has socially castrated these men by the time they obtain their power, and many of them are simply afraid or unable to take a stand on nearly anything.”

Dr. Watkins claims that many of today’s black athletes are not educated by colleges or high schools, and this negatively impacts their ability to understand the economic and political structure of our society. “American Universities are among the biggest pimps of black male athletes,” says Watkins, who regularly contributes columns to blackathlete.net. “They bring these kids in, constantly yanking them out of class for another big game, and then wonder why they are not graduating. It’s downright criminal.”

Last week, Dr. Watkins appeared with the rapper Method Man on “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith”. During the show, he was asked about Charles Barkley running for Governor of the State of Alabama. Watkins stated “You have to give Charles a lot of credit for saying what’s on his mind. The problem is that there is never anything in his brain to begin with!” In spite of his critique, Watkins feels that Barkley represents a level of social and political involvement that other black athletes should emulate.

Dr. Watkins claims that the problems of the black male athlete are symptomatic of problems in society at large. As a Finance Professor, he recommends that black males engage in strategies of financial and educational empowerment. “Nearly every brother on the basketball court has to deal with an uncle who just got shot, a brother in prison or a parent who can’t pay the rent,” says Watkins. “Therefore, solving the problem of that black male athlete involves solving the problem of the black male, period.”

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University. His book “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” has been featured in the national media as one of the more riveting statements in modern social commentary. He is a regular guest on many national shows, including “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch,” “Hannity & Colmes,” and many others. Dr. Watkins’ speech is to take place in the room next to the Schine Underground on the campus of Syracuse University at 7 pm on Monday, September 18. You can call (315) 487-1176 for interviews or visit www.boycewatkins.com for more information.

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