A White Tiger? A blue conch shell? A Black Triathlete?

Before “social distancing” became 2020’s newest and most sought-after alternative lifestyle, I had long been its most devout disciple.  As a child, I would always stand back and quietly observe the direction in which the crowd was moving both literally and figuratively. And then I’d move in the opposite direction.  While most of my high school peers were socializing at “The Cafe” during lunch breaks, I was hiking up Monastery Hill to St. Mary’s Hall to get some time on the grand piano.  While everyone was basking in the joy of college life at the local college during orientation, I had already mapped out my exit strategy before the first day of classes. Certainly, my chosen career path in classical music is definitely evidence that I was always determined to pursue the narrow path or the road less traveled. In a sense, it was my own subtle rebellion against societal norms and imposed expectations.

But my pioneering spirit (or antisocialism depending on your point of view) doesn’t end with music.  Interestingly, my unique approach to existence has also applied to amateur athletic pursuits. I have always been more of an individualist in the sports I both like to spectate and those I participate in (though I can get into NFL or NBA like the best and worst of them).  And this applies to my burgeoning passion as a triathlete.  Most mornings, I run about 4 miles on a route from my home to the beach and back (Though I have to tiptoe past certain homes where I know a pack of dogs are liable to come out to “cheer me on”).  Currently, I am able to run 10k in about 40 minutes and I usually expect to place in my age group everytime I hit the road for a “Fun Run” event.  I got 3rd in the most recent Bahamas Half Marathon. (I did also get 4th in the Atlantic Medical Fun Run that one time. I’m still kinda upset about that cause the guy who ran past me in the last kilometer didn’t have a number and then he was holding my trophy on the podium. But anyway..). I’m currently training for my third IRONMAN and I’m excited about that. Swimming and track were my chosen sports in high school so adding cycling has created a natural sports trifecta for me.  And I will use the 2024 Potcakeman - one of the few local triathlon events as a leadup to that event. (I actually registered for this event last year but had bike issues at the last minute).

But one of the things I didn’t realize as I was gearing up for this new experience was how rare it was to see a black participant in the sport.  Globally, it is Max Fennell who stands alone as the torchbearer of the Diaspora in the sport at the elite level. And even locally in my country where the demographics are 85% in our favor, we would still be in the minority in comparison to the non-black segments of our community who participate in the sport. The reasons for this are vast and varied. And those reasons include but are not limited to race, socioeconomics, exposure and skill.  Yes, as incredible as it is to believe, most black Bahamians, though we grow up surrounded by beautiful beaches, cannot swim. 

I believe though that for a large segment of the Diaspora, the lack of participation in the sport of triathlon and beyond is purely cultural. And specifically, the seeming need to continue to propagate established norms within our communities.  Though in principle, we claim to honor the uniqueness of the individual, in practice however, we ostracize those that seem to buck against unspoken established norms.  This is because their presence is both a novelty and an irritant.  In a pack of orange-colored tigers, there is no place for a white tiger.  Nor can a blue conch shell exist in the same grassy sea plains as the pink varieties.  Similarly, the presence of non-conformists within the community context calls into question the very values that those communities claim to revere.  It is this need that drives these communities to push an academic talent to become a doctor rather than a teacher; a talented athlete to play basketball rather than golf, a good speaker to become a preacher or pastor rather than professor or press secretary; a math whiz to be an accountant rather than a mathematician. And though creative careers are generally frowned upon, it is certainly better to be an architect, actor, or R&B/Gospel recording artist rather than a ballet dancer, opera singer, painter or concert pianist.  So how am I, a non-conformist in most respects, managing to continue to pursue passions that lie outside the experience of those with whom I co-exist?  

Firstly, I recognize that these passions did not come from me.  It was not an idea that I somehow “drummed up” to try my hand at.  Rather, they had been divinely woven into my DNA.  It is part of the larger purpose for which I have been created. Therefore I have a responsibility to develop and display it because they are an extension of the glory of the Creator.  

Secondly, I fiercely protect my life’s vision at all costs.  They are always before me both in thought and in writing and I always refer to them as reminders.  The noise of naysayers and the distractions of what’s “trending” are tuned out completely.  And though I do not always succeed in this, I generally do not participate in activities that divert my energy from the singular pursuit of my life’s vision. That includes so-called “good causes” which I view as distractions.  

Thirdly, as a child, I learned early that I could not expect anyone else to guide, advise or support me.  The simple fact is that in my unique passions, no examples exist in my community that I could observe and follow as models. Thus, any advice given to me from within my community, though well meaning, comes from a place of ignorance rather than experience and I would be foolish to follow it. My guidance, advice and support had to come from within which in turn came from His leading and His voice. Through lack of funds, failed auditions, and difficult interpersonal moments with family, friends and colleagues, I am constantly reminding myself of who I am, why I’ve been created and the dreams that burn within me.  I am continuously perfecting the art of self-encouragement. And so far, these principles amongst others have served me well. One day I hope this tide will shift and that a cadre of courageous pioneers in my generation will rise up and be able to inspire subsequent generations to blaze new trails in our community.  But for now I am content to walk with my cutlass and hack through the bushes to carve a path that one day, another can follow with greater ease.

Completed September 4, 2023