Tiger Woods Speaks!

There are a few things I never thought I would see in my lifetime, a Black President, Tiger Woods speaking out on politics or social issues, or a sober Whitney Houston. Lo and behold, and least two of those things will happen in 2009. Tiger Woods, one of the greatest athletes in the history of individual sports is averse to the spotlight when it comes to expressing any opinion on politics or issues of social import, even waving off the very stereotypical racist comments made by Fuzzy Zoeller as a mis-speak made in the heat of the moment. Woods refused to let Zoeller's comments detract from the historic nature of the 1997 Masters as 21-year-old Woods became the first African American to win a major professional golf tournament.

With these in mind, I think I speak for everyone in registering my surprise that Woods accepted an invitation to speak at "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural". This free outdoors concert will feature stars as Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, and other notables. Woods is one of those rare figures that transcends athletics and life just as did Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and other notable figures before him. Because of the respect and personal good-will he has earned the world over, millions of people will take to heart anything that Tiger says. Yes he has already opened many doors by becoming the first successful Black golfer in the world history of professional golf, but Tiger can raise awareness of the most important issues of our times by speaking out when his voice most needs to be heard.