Here are excerpts from an interview with Linda Greene, professor of law at the University of Wisconsin and a specialist in sports-related civil rights issues:
Baseball is not the only sport, or institution, to adhere to the unstated role that African Americans should not exercise power over whites. But with so few management positions in baseball being held by members of minority groups, it is even more obvious here that African Americans crash into the glass ceiling when what's at stake is authority and power in relation to their white counterparts...
This controversy is not about racism that is personal, but rather racism that is institutional. The owners must acknowledge that they inherited an institution with a long history of racially discriminatory behavior that will not be eradicated by business as usual. The business as usual is racism. New business practices must be instituted.
There are concrete ways to do this. Why not agree to a time frame within which the sport must achieve a significant number—to be defined—of African American coaches and managers? Why not agree to approve ownership bids on a basis of a history of demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity?
... Racism is currently reflected in the failure to meaningfully incorporate African Americans in coaching, management and front-office positions...
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