Crispus Attucks

On March 5, 1770 the rather wonderfully named Crispus Attucks was killed during the Boston Massacre, becoming the first person to die for what eventually became the American Revolution. More importantly, Crispus Attucks is the name of the high school that lost to Milan High & Bobby Plump in the state quarterfinals as they marched towards the Milan Miracle, which of course would later be portrayed in the Xmastime superslice of superslices, Hoosiers. Starring on that Crispus Attucks team? A sophomore named Oscar Robertson, who would lead them to state titles in the following two years, becoming the first black school to win it all in Indiana. Via moi in 2008:

According to Indiana tradition, the state champion was given a fire truck parade through the street of Indianapolis, feted as heroes. Of course when Attucks won, the powers that be decided you know what, they should have the parade "in your own community." No fire trucks, no Indianapolis. The players were driven outside of town to hold their party because, and I quote, "They said the blacks are gonna tear up downtown." 

In the documentary Oscar is asked about this. Now, this is NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. He made a ton of money, wears Cosby sweaters and lives in a mansion in the burbs, sitting back and soaking in decades and decades of adulation from people of every color. I'm white, and if I ran into Oscar Robertson and he said to kiss his ass, I'd pucker up. I can only dream of being him, having his life.

Yet when asked, Oscar said he would never forgive the white people for what they did to him, to his team. There was no apology in his eyes when he says there's no way he'll ever forgive and forget. The "fuck you" is palpable. And it really hit me; I was like jesus christ, if Oscar Robertson isn't lulled into some sort of warm-milk "oh, everything was always alright, I'm rich now so it doesn't matter" feeling after all these years, how the fuck bad must it have really been?

Do yourself a favor and watch the documentary I reference, Something to Cheer About. Available on Apple TV and YouTube.

"Cosby sweater? Fuck you, honky!"