Personally, I've always stood somewhat on the side of Rock NOT being the first black WWE champion. I always considered him to be portrayed as a "non-racial character", although they never denied his heritage on either side . Mark Henry said in an interview several months ago that "Dwayne (Rock) is a Black man, considers himself a Black man, and self-indentifies as a Black man"
But I have to ask, why do so many Black fans (myself included) say he's not? Or that he doesn't count?
As much as many Black wrestling fans criticize the tropes & stereotypes of Black wrestlers over the years, the Rock didn't overtly embody any of them for the most part, and became one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport. But by the same token, we seem to hold that against him. As to say his character wasn't seen/viewed as Black.....but what would it have entailed for him to be seen as Black?
The Rock began to rise to fame in a pro-black group, the NOD. This was when they were 100% focused on being a Black group, rivaling w/ a white group in DX, before later becoming more PC and adding Owen Hart. A half-black man next to other Black men holding up a fist is not up for debate.
If Rock had gone on and embraced a stereotypical Black character role(even tho in many ways he did if you watch guys llike Iceman King Parsons), we more than likely would've seen him as much of a Black champ as we see Booker T or Ron Simmons, Mark Henry.
We (as Black ppl) don't place a caveat on Obama as the first Black president. We don't place an asterisk on Halle Berry being the first Black female to win Best Actress at the Oscar's. And yet, all we know about both of these ppl is them being raised by the non-Black side of their heritage.
So why should/shouldn't the Rock be considered the first Black WWE champ?
But I have to ask, why do so many Black fans (myself included) say he's not? Or that he doesn't count?
As much as many Black wrestling fans criticize the tropes & stereotypes of Black wrestlers over the years, the Rock didn't overtly embody any of them for the most part, and became one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport. But by the same token, we seem to hold that against him. As to say his character wasn't seen/viewed as Black.....but what would it have entailed for him to be seen as Black?
The Rock began to rise to fame in a pro-black group, the NOD. This was when they were 100% focused on being a Black group, rivaling w/ a white group in DX, before later becoming more PC and adding Owen Hart. A half-black man next to other Black men holding up a fist is not up for debate.
If Rock had gone on and embraced a stereotypical Black character role(even tho in many ways he did if you watch guys llike Iceman King Parsons), we more than likely would've seen him as much of a Black champ as we see Booker T or Ron Simmons, Mark Henry.
We (as Black ppl) don't place a caveat on Obama as the first Black president. We don't place an asterisk on Halle Berry being the first Black female to win Best Actress at the Oscar's. And yet, all we know about both of these ppl is them being raised by the non-Black side of their heritage.
So why should/shouldn't the Rock be considered the first Black WWE champ?
I'm mixed race" when someone brings him being black up... Rock seems pretty damn proud of who he is...
