CNBC sports writer: Marathon winner not "American enough"

[Revy]

This asshole (http://www.cnbc.com/id/33587668/comid/) apparently thinks this athlete from Eritrea who became a citizen in 1998 is not American because he wasn't born in America. And he sees it as relevant because he thinks he would feel more proud if it were someone born in America.

Who thinks this shit? Not being born in America supposedly makes you less American?


It's a stunning headline: American Wins Men's NYC Marathon For First Time Since '82. http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/News_And_Analysis/__Story_Inserts/graphics/__PEOPLE/K/Keflezighi_Meb_200.jpg
Don Emmert | AFP | Getty Images
Meb Keflezighi of the US celebrates his victory in the New York City Marathon November 1, 2009 in New York
Unfortunately, it's not as good as it sounds.
Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he's not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies.
Nationality in running counts. It's why many identify Kenya as the land of the long distance champions.
As for the United States? Not so much.
It has been well-documented that since the mid-80's, Americans haven't had much success in the marathon. Many cite lack of motivation as the root of our troubles, as in our best athletes devote their lives to sports where they can make big money instead of collecting the relatively small paychecks that professional running offers. That, of course, is not the case with African runners, who see in the same winner's check a lifetime full of riches.
Given our disappointing results, embracing Keflezighi is understandable. But Keflezighi's country of origin is Eritrea, a small country in Africa. He is an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country.
Nothing against Keflezighi, but he's like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league.
The positive sign was that some American-born runners did extremely well in yesterday's men's race.
If any of them stand on the top step of the podium in Central Park one day, that's when I'll break out my red, white and blue.

[Uncle Hank]

I personally feel the most proud of fit straight white blonde haired blue eyed male citizens of the U.S. born in America who win things. :rolleyes: Jesus fuck, how lame is that though. :blink:

[9]

Who thinks this shit? Not being born in America supposedly makes you less American?

I think this is not such an uncommon sentiment, unfortunately; the city where I live, a lot of otherwise decent people express incredibly bigoted ignorant views from time to time, and the view of the sportscaster you've described would actually fall on the milder end of the spectrum.
Most of my coworkers - predominantly middle-aged working class white women - are actually very overtly racist and xenophobic and make little effort to hide it. And of course the vocalization of such sentiments seems to have risen 10-fold since Obama got into office, what with all the "birther" insanity. So I can't say I find this at all surprising; I suspect it's actually more common than a lot of people think.

[Sasha]

in the netherlands we depend on "import" for a lot of our sport successes, iceskating and judo are among the few things the natives excell at. its intresting to see that so long as its about sport prestation immigrants are suddenly Dutch where we are Proud of!, and we cover them in orange and give them audience with the primeminister and queen etc.
but like an black atlethe once said; if i tomorow would stab someone on the street i would be suddenly from surinam again...

[proudcomrade]

What a bitter individual and terribly poor sport, this Mr. Rovell.

Many congratulations to Keflezighi; he is a credit to his country, and every bit as worthy as anyone born here, arguably even more so.

[The Red Next Door]

What a FUCKING IDIOT! HE NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP. :thumbdown:

[FreeFocus]

The author is an idiot, obviously, but being "American" or "American enough" is not something really worth aspiring to.

[Wanted Man]

Ridiculous. Maybe all the white American athletes who win stuff should also not be taken seriously, because they're really from the UK, Germany, France, Holland, etc. :rolleyes:

[Stranger Than Paradise]

Of course the idea of being "american" doesn't actually mean anything does it? What makes him any less "american" than someone who has been there for centuries? And what makes him more "american" than me, I have never lived in America and never been there but being American doesn't actually mean anything. It is a patriotic nationalist false notion of superiority.