Tiger Woodsâ physicians have given him the green light to play in the Masters at Augusta this year, having recovered as well as expected from recent knee surgery. Unfortunately, as the debate over that august golf clubâs lack of female members rages on, Tiger remains uniquely affected.
While the political Left has often urged him to take public stands on civil rights-related issues, Tiger has generally ducked. Refusing to comment accept to note his own hopelessly complex multiracial background, he implies that contemporary race issues are hardly black and white. At only 24, Tiger has been surprisingly steadfast in his resistance to left-wing activistsâ efforts to highjack his image.
Instead of pointing fingers, conservatives and libertarians should carefully moniter their own efforts to do the same. Supporters of Augustaâs right to choose its members are as happy to seize on his remarks as would Jesse Jackson and Co. be if they comported with another agenda. We say we are celebrating Tigerâs ability to rise above politics; can we do the same when we admire him?
If we trot out his name to further a smaller-government agenda, we do Tiger a disservice. Some things, and some people, are bigger than the big issues.
Posted by Marie Gryphon on February 3, 2003