One of my favorite movies is White Men Can't Jump. The title in itself offers the theme to this scripture. There are several scenes and encounters in the movie which are classic, but there is one particular illustration which highlights the point of this installment. Although it is frequently not allowed in class to use a movie for the basis of a debatable point, this one just fits so well. Students want to argue points and use a situation (movie or television) that is not factual, but merely entertainment, to prove their point of view. The scene that I refer to is when the Caucasian basketball player is first introduced in the movie. For those who have not seen the movie he is the main character and basically the white man who can't jump. He appears at a predominately African-American outdoor court dressed like a geek, skateboarder, Frisbee guy, beach bum, or some weak guy just strolling through the park, take your pick. He is allowed to join the game and of course is extremely talented. He hustles or takes money from his competitor because he doesn't look the part of a good basketball player or a hustler. He was prejudged or stereotyped because he was different. Please understand this concept, different is not better, different is not worse, different is only different.

There is a very thin line between discernment and prejudice. Discernment carries a positive connotation where as prejudice carries a negative one. Discernment is a by-product of wisdom and something we pray for our kids and family members. Prejudice is something we pray our kids and family members never have to deal with either on the prejudging side or on the prejudged side. Our scripture states that God's blessings, grace and mercy are not bestowed or favored for one individual over another. We all have the capacity within us to receive these gifts from him. On the other hand we all will receive his correction and judgment as he sees fit also. So as we use His Word as a guide to our life we should strive to not be a respecter of persons when it comes to our attitudes toward people who appear different. They are not better, they are not worst, they are just different. Different ideas are not better, they are not worst, they are just different. Lastly, different ways to train for, prepare and teach a sport is not better, it is not worst, it is just different.

These are the situations where the difference in training, teaching and practicing creates problems. Let's first look at the well-meaning parent (typically the father but we won't stereotype) who has coached the player on some level. This scenario can take place in the transition from backyard to pee-wee/little league, pee-wee/little league to school ball, high school to college and possibly from college to professional. Most of the time it deals with the fathe- oops, the parent feeling like their way is better than the coach or coaches who currently instruct their child. The fathe- sorry, parent has taught the child all they know and for some reason they feel that the present coach is either prejudice or simply an idiot because he views daddy's superstar in a different light. (Did I stereotype again?). The reality is the present coach merely views the talent of the player differently. Then the problem of philosophical differences as it pertains to training and strategy makes the father/coach question the ability of the present coach. Let this be clearly stated for future reference to all my fellow father/coaches. If the philosophy and or strategy of the coach is worst than what you would do if you were the coach, it will still work if all and I mean all - the players are trying to do what they are presently being coached. Your fatherly philosophy may work tremendously at whatever level you use it, but the present coach deserves for you to send your child to practice and or games willing to commit 100% to the team and coach. Just because the current coach sees and teaches the sport different than the genius that is you, it does not make either philosophy better or worst, just different. Please don't poison your athletes' view and or commitment by doing and saying things that under cut the coach.

The other detrimental occasion is when a coach or player underestimates an opponent because they appear different. There has been a few times when the staff has watched tape of a team in preparation of a contest and formed an opinion of the team or certain players based on some prejudgment. It never matters how hard the coaches try to not convey a sense of the team or players being superior or inferior. You can never fool the players, and the team immediately picks up your attitude. They glance over during warm-ups and see a team that may look too big and slow, too small and weak, too white or African American to compete at our level. Although there is no money involved, far too many times the players who tend to judge the book by the cover get hustled. Discernment teaches us the wisdom to treat all opponents the same, especially when they are different. We can neither fear nor underestimate an opponent because they appear different. Different is not better, different is not worse, different is only different.