On colonial mentality

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor,

I cannot fathom what the selection of a pre-fight boxing announcer has to do with Ferdinand Magellan or the concept of “colonial mentality.” Let me back up; like Mr. Lerner, I am an American and a Caucasian, which makes me as equally and inherently bad in the eyes of Mr. Piramide as Mr. Lerner. I am also a permanent resident of your country with a Filipino wife and an infant son born in Cebu City. Although I am somewhat of a boxing fan I had never heard of Ted Lerner until I read Mr. Piramide's column on the Philstar web site. Since I was reading it “online” I could quickly research some of Mr. Lerner's background and even view some of his “announcing” via YouTube. I would describe his work as professional and do not feel he “apes” Michael Buffer, although it is very common to hear ring announcers imitate some of Mr. Buffer's well known vocal mannerisms (“Let's get ready to rumbleeee”). I also learned that Mr. Lerner, besides being a ring announcer, has been The Ring magazine's (The Bible of Boxing) correspondent in Asia for the past 15 years, which gives him some degree of credibility as a journalist of the sport. He was the first western journalist to cover the rise of Mr.Pacquiao. I am not familiar with either of the Filipino gentlemen mentioned in the article who's jobs were taken by Mr. Lerner, but is not the selection of a ring announcer the sole responsibility of the promoter? Perhaps these concerns should be addressed with him or her.

Mr.Piramide's criticisms of Mr. Lerner seem to be solely on the basis of race and nationality and the reference to him as “this Caucasian” is clearly racist. I went back through some of the 28 pages of articles Mr.Piramide has written (going back to 2007) that are available via the website and did not find any other article that indicated such a deep animosity toward non-Filipinos. Perhaps there is some personal matter between he and Mr. Lerner. Hate begets hate; isn't there already enough of that in this world?

Respectfully,

Michael Boylan

Argao, Cebu