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The Dominance of "Other" in Pro Sports

The dominance of Koreans on the LPGA, of Dominicans in the MLB and African-Americans in the NBA has fueled the prediction that in 20 years there won't be any Euro-Americans playing major league sports. That may be so, but it's also so what!

When you take a look at each of the groups involved that produce these athletes one might ask the question, "What are they doing that we're not?" The answers, and the results, are more complicated than they appear.

The Korean parents who have coerced their daughters into doing grueling exercises, practicing all day, forfeiting their education, friendships and normal social development in order to win golf tournaments may get great golfers. But they won't get grandchildren.

Most of the Dominican Republic is shockingly poor. If the same resources were given to education and literacy that have been given to baseball, this island could be the next Singapore.

Something like 80% of African-American school age boys believe they can play pro sports, mostly basketball, and yet more than half of them drop out of high school before graduating. High school drop outs don't make the major leagues--they also don't get jobs or have a future.

Americans idolize athletes and celebrities, winners and long shots. The irony is maybe it's our own culture that keeps these other cultures in place.

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