Shani Davis….Cool as Ice
by Elmer P. Ging

“Ice Man” Shani Davis has become the first African American to win gold in an individual sport at the winter Olympics and like those African Americans who have done something of this magnitude in the past, he has stirred up more than a little controversy. Although not quite as memorable as Jesse Owens showing up Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics or John Carlos and Tommy Smith's show of Black power at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Shani Davis sure gave the world one to remember. For all those who did not catch the late night showing of the event and Shani's post race reaction on NBC, here is the synopsis…

Shani Davis is the current world record holder in the 1000 meters speed skating event and the only Black speed skater in the 2006 Olympics. This past Saturday, Davis won Olympic gold by skating a time just short of his world record and made history all without cracking the slightest smile across his face. That's right, Mr. Davis did not get overjoyed at all immediately preceding his historic moment and basically snubbed what seemed to be an amateur reporter by being extremely short and uninterested during his post race interview. At the end of the interview, the reporter now visibly irritated, then asked Shaini if he was angry! Instead of saying "hell yeah I'm angry", like he should have, Shani respectfully bowed out of the interview by saying he was at a loss of words.

So of course when a Black man does not shuck, jive, and tap dance for the media after whipping Mr. Charlie at his own game, America is left not only shocked but also attempts to turn one into a villain.

Shani Davis now goes from Olympic gold medalist and history maker, to the next angry Black male athlete for the media to hate. Consequently, the next day's Olympic coverage included all sorts of Black commentators trying to rationalize Shani's actions for White America. However, in all reality Shani's actions needed no explanation. It was apparent based on the events leading up to the Olympics that speed skating for Mr. Davis was not just a race, but was a battle with racism. In a sport where you are a not just a minority but the “only” Black person, you have to train more than just your body to endure stress and strain, you must mentally train yourself to overcome the cultural and racial barriers.

The challenges of being the “only” in the U.S. Speed Skating Federation are what forced Shani to have to pay money to use the U.S. national training facilities in early 2003 while the other athletes used the facilities for free. As a result, Shani decided to split with the team and train by himself in Calgary, Canada. He also demanded the removing of his bio from the U.S. Speed Skating Federation's website further escalating the tension.

Then after being asked only 1 week in advance to participate in the team pursuit, a three-person race added to the Olympics this year, Shani decided that it would be best for him to focus on the 1000-meter race and declined the offer. This of course brought on accusations by his White counterparts that Shani was not being a team player and had committed the ultimate sin of not being “patriotic.”

Never mind the fact that if he had participated in this so called “team” event that he would have had to skate as many as 12,800 extra yards potentially jeopardizing his chance to make history as the first Black person to win gold in an individual sport at the winter Olympics. Furthermore, it was apparent to anyone who was paying attention that the U.S. Speed Skating team did not really care about Shani until they needed him to do something for them. I can't imagine why they were surprised when he said no.

It's no wonder the excitement that many expected was overshadowed by the obvious stress that took its toll on being a Black Men in a lily-white sport. Mr. Davis, if you are reading this, I think your public reaction to your Olympic gold was not only classic, but also exposed the racism that you have experienced and that has not died in America. “Ice Man,” keep your head up. In my book and I'm sure in a million others, Shani Davis, you are the man!