Ginobili blazing a path for Hispanics

Written by Jake Faunce on Monday, 17 January 2011 09:30.

Editor's note: To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Jake Faunce writes about San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili blazing trails for the Hispanic community to honor Dr. King.

The March on Washington in 1963 was in essence about empowering people of color. Dr. Martin Luther King's message was about people of color embracing themselves. Embracing yourself is a powerful first step on the road to success. It was a massive cultural event for our country and a signal of a major paradigm shift in America. Sometimes sports and cultural changing events intersect. Manu Ginobilli sits at the center of such a intersection.

Sometimes all a child needs is to actually see it themselves to believe it. They can see it in their head but until they actually see it come true it's hard for them to believe in it. Someone can develop a defeatist attitude at a young age if they have no models of success they can identify with. Such is the dilemma with breaking any perceived glass ceilings or doubts about oneself. Ginobilli provides the best example possible with his play and his classiness for the Hispanic community.

To see him succeeding goes so far beyond just visualizing it. They see themselves in him. They see a Spanish speaking Hispanic dominating and setting a great example for any child. This goes beyond sport. He helped open up a segment of American culture that was thought of as not theirs.

Manu's influence will bring about more Hispanic basketball bloggers, players, scouts, General Managers, analysts and owners. He is helping the assimilation process of America's strongest new immigrant group by getting them interested in one of Americas most favorite pastimes. Basketball.

In an era of intense division on the immigration issue, America can use more avenues like basketball to bring communities together. Even the NBA launched Ene-Be-A to bring basketball closer to the Hispanic community throughout the globe. More Hispanics playing basketball can lead to less misunderstandings and less of the bumping of the cultural heads. A nation that has more in common with each other, is a more unified nation.

Manu is the first Hispanic Latin American superstar in the NBA. On this Martin Luther King Day, recognizing trail blazers like Ginobili is a tribute to the cause Dr. King ended up giving his life for. Manu holds a very unique position in our society, and he's more then lived up to that responsibility.

15 comments

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Gervinfan

Huh? MLK---Ginobili---Blazing Trails for Hispanics ? Huh?

Gervinfan

1 Like

So, My mother is Scottish and my father Choctaw Indian. I too speak Spanish. I'm not Hispanic!!! I'm an American!!!!!

Gervinfan

Hispanic???? Nonsense!!!!!
GINOBILI, EMANUEL
Team: Kinder Bologna
Height: 1.98
Born: 28 July, 1977
Nationality: Italy
Position: Forward

mdeleon

@Gervinfan Manu has dial citizenship but was born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina if that clarifies anything. Not sure what the issue is here.

Upstait

@Gervinfan A persons cultural heritage is as important in identifying ethnicity as someone's bloodline. Manu being a duel citizen of Italy and Argentina doesn't make him less part of the Hispanic community.

hankthetank

I get lost with definitions from someone who says Manu being a Spanish speaking Hispanic when in fact he is of italian descent and actually speaks both Italian and Spanish. Cannot help it but to have some sort of rejection to such use of the English languaje and the obvious condescent attitude of someone quite confused in undertsanding cultural paths.

MarianoMontreal

@hankthetank Manu is Argentinian, he is not Italian, if you wanna go that road we are all africans.
So he really represent LATIN AND CENTRAL AMERICA, PLUS ANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT ACTS THE WAY HE DOES, WITH RESPECT TO THE GAME, TO PEOPLE, TO LIFE.

Upstait

1 Like

Thank you so much everyone for the compliments on my piece. Manu carries himself with such class it made it easy to write.

Ramon

We love Manu! He is the fiercest player i've seen since Michael Jordan.

Daniel07

1 Like

Manu Ginobili is one of the greatest player ever wear the Spurs uniform, 'nuff said!

JeffProjectSpurs

1 Like

@LFJeremy @Daniel07 Ohhh nice list. I might have TP over Elliot, and Robertson over AJ despite his legal issues.

SpursFanHenry

Manu is one of favorite Spur because of his on and off court demeanor and his passion for the game. Nice article.

agutierrez

Excellent angle on a holiday that every American should be proud of. Manu is a great example on and off the court. He was the next-to-the-last pick in the draft in 1999, overlooked twice by all other teams and even once by the Spurs. But he dedicated himself to being the best and when he finally got his chance, the reaction by Pop, his fellow Spurs and Spurs fans (but especially Latinos), not only in SA but all over the country, was, "Wow, where did this guy come from?" He never trash talks, never complains, never disrespects an opponent or the officials. He's a class act, period. We are blessed to be able to witness his exploits on the court. Thanks, again, for an excellent article. Que Viva Manu y los Spurs!

JuanGoico

2 Like

Wow, amazing words!! I am very proud of Manu, I was born in the same city than him, in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. And I agree with your words. Because for us he is not only a basketball player, he is much more than that. He is an example for all the kids, his humility inspire us all. He is just a common guy with an NBA Super Star suit. He gave us so much with our National Team that we will be always greatfull.
Thanks for this great note Jake.

Juan Goicochea from Argentina.

JeffProjectSpurs

@JuanGoico Thanks for stopping by Juan. This was a nice write up for MLK day here in the US.

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