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Arthur Ashe as recently as last year, I think that one of the most valuable articles or discussions on this issue was one which he wrote for the New York Times in the Sunday edition. Not the Magazine section, but it was in the Sports section, Sunday New York Times about three or four years ago in which Arthur Ashe was saying to young blacks, “Look, the reality is that a very, very small percentage of blacks become athletic stars.” A fraction of one percent maybe, and that the important thing for young blacks is for them to seek an education that will make it possible for them to compete constructively in the larger economy of society. There's something about this interview that's bothering me. I'm not able to articulate it fairly and coherently because almost every question you're asking me I'm answering with some sort of questioning and skepticism. I am not going to sit here and say to you that I'm against black stars, athletic stars. I'm not going to say that. On the other hand, I'm not going to say that this kind of thing addresses itself to the basic problems that we, masses of the American blacks have to face, and somehow deal with.

Sure, I am sufficiently American to be happy. This young pitcher for the [New York] Mets is doing as well as he is, [Dwight] Gooden. I wish him well. I am happy that black athletic stars, boxers, football'players, baseball players, basketball players are using their exceptional skills to provide an economic base for their families. It sounds--yes, I think that's good. But I have to tell you, I just don't know that that is what we are really about. I mean, over and above those dramatic, outstanding examples, there are other problems which are there. I wish that more of these athletic