blackvoicenews.com

By Leland Stein III –

I’m not surprised at what has happened with the world’s greatest golfer. After all, it is a disease that has engulfed most of Western Culture – the disease of “Yeah . . . I got ya!” Obviously Woods feels got, as he has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA Tour to try and regenerate his marriage and family life.

The “I got ya” happened around 3 a.m. in the morning with the result a $164 traffic citation. I’ve named the infamous accident the “Escalade escape escapade” at the end of Tiger Woods’ driveway.

The aftermath of Woods’ in slow-speed crack-up has created a media circus wagon that has grown as many arms as an octopus. Woods did not help himself early on as he tossed out a scenario that had more holes in it than an old pair of underwear. Woods tried to pawn his wife, Elin, off as a hero tending to her husband at the scene of an accident. And that is the one still on the books as obviously he tried to protect his wife from possible domestic violence charges.

So in protecting his wife we may never hear the real Escalade escape escapade story. However, Woods has indeed come out and offered an apology for having affairs with a number of women. His acknowledgement of transgressions brings to life the Escalade escape escapade as a man running from his wife after she found out about her adulterous husband. It does not take a genius to postulate that the late-night/early-morning exodus that left car windows broken, Woods dazed on the curb with a busted lip, and a wife standing over him like Tyson cajoling Spinks, was fueled by a family dispute.

I suspect Tiger was a victim on that infamous day, but we don’t know and may never know. Some say he had it coming . . . right? There is no defending Woods’ actions, but the level of hate and mean-spiritness has gone beyond concern for his wife. Welcome to the Black side of your heritage Tiger! America is very quick to bury and castigate Black athletes that make mistakes. There is no forgiveness.

The heat has gotten so bad that one would think he killed someone or beat up an old lady or inhaled a pound of coke or shaved points off his golf score in a gambling fix. Already a couple of his sponsors have thrown him to the media wolves of judgment.

I would think in times like this real spirit filled individuals would pray that Woods and his family find redemption and peace. I know from experience that we all fall short and we are all flawed individuals that are a work in progress everyday of our lives.

Shouldn’t we be hoping he, his wife and two kids find that family balance that will push them into a solid marriage? There is no substitute for life experiences. We all have to go through something to get to a place of spiritual calmness and serenity; it does not happen by osmosis.

I hope Woods and his wife use this as an opportunity to grow together and not let the naysayers and media circus drive them a part.

What bothers me about all this is that it shows unequivocally that America has moved to a point where famous people are expected to be role models for our kids. Just because Woods is a supreme golfer does not mean he is a perfect human. The fact of the matter is I have never seen a perfect human . . . ever! For those that call into talk radio and other internet vehicles, I say get a life!!! One’s perspective of life and what is right and wrong should not be based on those we see on television or read about in newspapers.

Another thing that bothers me is those who gleefully exclaim Woods’ image is tarnished forever. Why would anyone want that to be a reality? The fact of the matter is those of monetary means and social status have and always have been involved in the worldly shenanigans of life. Now I’m not saying that makes it right or okay, but it is what it is.

Kings, queens, movie stars, fictional characters and politicians have always been surrounded by the flesh of the world. There are simply too many transgressions to recount. Pitt and Jolie . . . Helena and Paris . . . Tracey and Hepburn . . . Senators and too many to list . . . Letterman and his female staff . . . Kennedy and Monroe . . . Rodriguez and Madonna . . . Barkley and his whore . . . and so on and so on.

Also, the elevation of publications such as the National Enquirer, US Weekly magazine, and tabloid Web sites like TMZ.com have found a place in the news world and that is sad for journalism.

Soon the art of looking someone in the face and getting out and obtaining quotes and interviewing people is being replaced by a “source said” or a “friend of Woods noted” or “someone, anyone said that so and so is a jerk.”

We are in the age of sleazy. A mistress can be paid over $100,000 for selling text messages. Now what about the lady? She has displayed no morals whatsoever by messing with a married man. What is her culpability? Why is she not scorned, but instead paid thousands?

I got to know Earl Woods, and, he was a strong Black man who was a Special Forces combatant. I think when he passed it left Tiger out on an island. I covered Woods in his high school and Stanford years and he prided himself on the fact he spent all his time on the golf course and was an obsessive golf hopeful. It is obvious he lost his shorts once he discovered women. But that transgression is amendable and one can change his wayward ways. Woods needs to kick himself in the behind like his Dad would have done if he were still alive. What good has come out of this mess? Woods has created an international dialogue concerning celebrity, marriage, texting and consequences.

I guess what we found out about Tiger is after a billion dollars he’s still a paperback playa. Because in today’s world sexting isn’t cute, because in divorce court, they call it evidence.

Leland Stein can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .