Keeping it Bruin: A Look Into UCLA Athletics
A look into Bruin UCLA athletics from the perspective of a Bruin student athlete.
about 3 years ago
tucla45
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My problem with this "perspective"
is that there may be non-Christian student-athletes of equally high character and/or equally fervent belief who might feel excluded from AIA due to its emphasis on Christianity. Where is their support group? Admittedly, I don’t know alot about AIA. Perhaps they welcome “non-believers” with open arms and don’t try to proselytize. That would be a wonderful thing, but my gut feeling is that wouldn’t exactly be the case.
I wouldn't be worried
Just as there are tons of groups for every possible interest, belief, cultural group, etc., for the general student population, I’m sure there are plenty of options for those who balance academic rigor with athletics.
Moreover, you’re missing the point: Tobi’s perspective is just that: his perspective as a UCLA student-athlete. I don’t believe he’s claiming to speak for all of UCLA’s student-athletes, and if anything, I think we should welcome his joining of BN with open arms. After all, you don’t often get to hear about their lives from their own points-of-view.
As a side note, I hope some of the jerks who jeer our teams, read this and remember these kids are people too . . . and that, if you could do better, you’d be the one with the scholarship and uniform, so really, shut the f**k up and let them play. But, I digress.
Anyway, this particular post just happens to be geared toward AIA, but it’s not as if his postings all pertain to Christianity. He’s just giving it as he sees it, and I don’t see how that’s any different than what all the rest of us here at BN are doing: just sharing our own points of view.
Don’t be narrow-minded and poo-poo something simply because it’s a Christian group. I know the Religious Right in this country haven’t done the best job of representing the faith, but try to remember BN is home to Bruins of all perspectives, whether you agree with that particular perspective or not.
No poo-poo
To be clear, I also welcome Mr. Umodu to BN and relish the opportunity to read any post he may choose to make in the future that might shed light on the scholarship athlete’s life on campus. (This is his first and only post so far, though, no?)
And while it’s certainly possible that I’m narrow-minded (how can one argue that they aren’t?), I don’t believe my post poo-poos anything. My point, which perhaps you missed, is that wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a support group for athletes of all denominations to share, without judgment, their hopes, fears, dreams, and beliefs with other athletes who would understand their experience better than anyone else? You said it yourself, there are no doubt tons of options for the general student population. But how many are there just for student athletes?
My concern is that non-Christian student athletes (and even some Christian ones) might understandbly feel alienated by an organization whose mission, according to their website, is to spread their “One Message of Victory.”
Why does there have to be only one message of victory?
I appreciate your clarification
Because your initial response came off in a much different light than what you’re saying now. To me, it came off as rather dismissive of this particular group and I don’t think BN’ers should be putting down newcomers, regardless of whether they are students, faculty, fans, or student-athletes.
Since you’ve addressed my concern, to respond to your points, as for Tobi’s post, yes, it is the first on BN, but the link posted is actually one of a series of articles (which Nestor has linked to before during the summer) he has written. That was what I meant.
Now, I agree with you that it would be nice if there was a supprot group for all student-athletes regardless of denomination, and I’m willing to bet something like that does exist. Personally, if there isn’t something like that set up, in my opinion, Morgan Center is flat-out dropping the ball. I’d like to hear from someone-in-the-know as to what kind of support Morgan Center is offering our hard-working student-athletes.
Now, that said, I don’t see why, in addition to a general support group, why Christian students can’t form their own additional support group that’s geared toward their particular beliefs. I’m not saying I’d join such a group (because I wouldn’t), but folks tend to group together with people who share their own interests, and I don’t see how AIA is any different. I think your concern is a valid one, but is the same concern for any group that espouses a particular belief system, regardless of whether it is on-campus or in the general population.
Besides, seeing these kids coming together as part of AIA is much more encouraging than seeing how U$C’s student-athletes are often coming together: as co-conspirators to criminal activity.
There's an easy answer to that question, Snorkeldorf
It’s what Christians believe. Look in your Bible at John 14:6. Christianity is an all-inclusive religion, but there are certain premises which must be accepted in order to become a Christian. This is not the place for that discussion, but I would enjoy discussing it with you privately if you would like. Let me know.
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