Hello Confidants, Constituents and Comrades!
I applaud, and I am happy that a young man has started a “Golf Tour” for young ladies of color, giving them a platform to showcase their golfing talents. However, I still stand by my truth, the name “Sapphire” for the tour for a Black Woman of my age is demeaning and DISRESPECTFULl!!!
Disregard for history to make the name acceptable by explaining Sapphire is a “Gem Stone” is absolutely correct —it is a Gem just like Diamond’s and Pearl’s are. It would be totally acceptable if it was the “White Women’s Sapphire Tour”. But for me, it does not change or ease the pain that the name caused when we were called and catagorized as “Sapphire’s” in my youth.
I understand the young women and their parents, wanting and desperately needing an opportunity to play golf professionally to earn a living as a career! However, I feel saddened that even though some of the creators o that tour have been told and have been educated to what the name means in regards to “Black women” but they just don’t seem to Care.
Some of you might say, “it’s just a name,” and you are correct, it is just a name, but words and names are very powerful and can empower you or disable you….
We live in a society today that is on a very slippery slope of what is permitted and acceptable for some, and against the law for others.
As a very young girl growing up in the Jim Crow South, my grandmother would say, “Never give the Devil a stick to hit you with.” In other words, don’t give anyone or anything a tool or weapon that could help to hinder or cause you harm.
I applaud the founder’s of the Tour, and I wish them well! But I wish they would think about Me, Renee Powell, Althea Gibson, Wendy Boyd, LaJean Gould, Esther Wilson, Oneida Costello, Carrie Russell, Anne Gregory, and All Black women, dead or alive, over the age of 60, who blazed the trail for young ladies that are now pursuing their dreams as Professional Golfers.
I ask those that have eyes to see, ears to hear, and sound minds, to think about the names some of us had to endure, and names we were called while pursuing our dreams. Names such as: “Aunt Jemima, Nappy Head, Black Bi%$ h#, Wh_re’s, Wenches, Nig_ a’s; Black Gal’s, and yes, “Sapphire’s!”
No one is asking the founders to quit or stop the Tour because it is VERY Important, VERY Needed and a VERY Worthy Initiative! All I ask is for you to get educated, and educate our youth about our plight as Black Women in the Wonderful World of Golf. Our Journey , Our Mission and our Stories are Worthy to be told!!!
THINK ABOUT IT !!…Trust the Truth!
What’s In A Name
