Polynesian Bowl/ Ethics

[ElysianWort]

For several years now I have been aware of a football game in our state of Hawaii that sums all the best athletes of Polynesian heritage and lets them play in one more game after the Highschool season is over.
Polynesian people in general have many great qualities and cultural significance that is ultimately a huge part of what makes Hawaii such a wonderful place to live. Polynesian people are also generally stronger than most other culturally distinct group of humans. You take the average American, Mexican, Canadian, French, Chinese or etc, man, and compare him to the Polynesian man, on average the Polynesian will have more heavily packed muscles. This just so happens to make them great at football, (amongst other things).
I love football so I'm not against their game where a panel of judges vote for the best local players to participate.

My question is this: Is it ethically correct? I mean how would people respond in another part of the football world if something similar was done? For example gather the players in Alabama or Florida and call it the great white cracker bowl and include only players of Caucasian/ European heritage?

http://www.polynesianbowl.com/the-game/s...on-process

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

My question is this: ... call it the great white cracker bowl

If it's really called The Great White Cracker Bowl, my question would be, what channel is it on?

[terracore]

Who would the sponsors be? Cracker Barrel and Cracker Jack? Nabisco? Would the mascots be characters from the Nut Cracker? (I can hear that music now). Vanilla Ice singing during the half time show?

[bystander]

We can joke about it today but professional sports was largely segregated until people like Jackie Robinson came onto the scene in the 50s. This Polynesian bowl actually sounds like something from back then. Something like the "negro" leagues in baseball.

[Kapoho Joe]

Nothing special here, just more Polynesian content for the Polynesian crowd here in the Islands. Ever watch the local sports newscasters? They don't cover a 'home team' per se - more what is covered is what all the local boys and girls are doing in the Pros - no matter what team they are playing for.

I never heard a peep about the Cardinals from St.Louis until Colton Wong got signed, likewise the Titans of Tennessee got no screen time in Hawaii until Mr.Mariota was knighted to save the team.

I'm told that there is racism everywhere these days but the Poly Bowl doesn't strike me in that way.

[ElysianWort]

On that last note about local athletes and air time, Kapoho Joe, it isn't quite related. It doesn't matter of the Heritage, it's simply a Hawaii pride thing. And I support it. Sid Fernandez would heat it up on the mound and he isn't Polynesian. The Mets would get air time. If Colt Brennan had been good enough to make it to the big leagues he would have got lots of air time. Brennan is Caucasian. Kudos to Mariota and Wong. No matter what the color race or creed, athletes from Hawaii will get local TV support.
Picking football players for one final game based on Polynesian heritage is different. What about the stand out high-school player that isn't Polynesian and doesn't get accepted to play with all the other best of the best students in the state? Because of skin color, last name and heritage, that is. College scouts go to that game. It's a big deal.

edited for grammar