Tony Roble's Ethnic Background

[Jude Rosenstock]

I salute you for taking this stance. It is not a very popular position these days, but it is the only one that really makes sense. Every time I hear someone described as "black", it smacks of racism to me.

Mark

This is a touchy subject. It really is almost impossible to be polite in everyone's eyes when it comes to such matters. I can understand perfectly why the word "black" can be offensive however, there are some that believe the word SHOULD be used because it specifically refers to African Americans who emigrated here through slavery. This DOES distinguish someone whose parents were born in The Ivory Coast.

On the otherhand, outside of race, there are a lot of black & white references which often paint the word "white" as innocent and pure versus black which can be seen as opposite. Some people view racial definition by color as being connected to this.

The bottom line is, you have to be intelligent enough to see the intent of the speaker. I have this discussion all the time with people regarding several different words. It's very common that the choice words change from generation to generation. The goal is not to be hip but to show that you do not mean to offend anyone.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

At Some Point I've Offended Everbody.......maybe, maybe not

This is a touchy subject.
The goal is not to be hip but to show that you do not mean to offend anyone.

I'm an equal opportunity offender.......... imo

Doug
(Who's next ? Now serving #316....#316......#316.......OK, #317 ) Especially Eskimos and Canadians.

 

[bigskyjake]

I'm an equal opportunity offender.......... imo

Doug
(Who's next ? Now serving #316....#316......#316.......OK, #317 ) Especially Eskimos and Canadians.

Sick em Doug, Sick em, they've hoarded all of the good polar bear hunting and Whaling FOR YEARS. And now, dammit, now it's our turn

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

And My wife Is Calling Me Yuk-Yuk

Sick em Doug, Sick em, they've hoarded all of the good polar bear hunting and Whaling FOR YEARS. And now, dammit, now it's our turn

No kidding....I've taken to growing my own BLUBBER.

Doug
( I just ordered three large pizzas and some Grow Lights)

 

[insanepoolgod]

The bottom line is, people will see what they want to see. When you say something like what the original poster said, it's nice. It's always good to recognize similiarties than differences. Whenever anyone has ever wondered if I had a similar background to them, I always took it as a compliment.

Unfortunately, taking pride in who you really are can cause backlash. Take Tiger Woods for example. When he didn't identify whole-heartedly with the "black" demographic, some were offended.

 

[insanepoolgod]

Well, if you want to talk about looking tough, we should go back to talking about Robles.

He does have an intimidating look when he is sighting in a ball.

 

[bigskyjake]

No kidding....I've taken to growing my own BLUBBER.

Doug
( I just ordered three large pizzas and some Grow Lights)

No shit, and my polar bear couch cover isn't going to kill and skin itself. Also the Narwahl tusk fenceposts I need to one-up the nieghbors aren't gonna just grow outta the damn ground

 

[Cuaba]

Me Too!

What I REALLY hate to be called is, "the fat bald white guy that was just knocked out of the tournament two places out of the money." Grrrrrrrr

Doug
( I'm starting to think it's my REAL name.....dammit ! )

Are we related?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Unfortunately, taking pride in who you really are can cause backlash. Take Tiger Woods for example. When he didn't identify whole-heartedly with the "black" demographic, some were offended.

Being mixed is tough. I mean, I'm ethnically mixed and it's tough. I can only imagine how tough it is for people who are racially mixed. I don't follow golf or Tiger Woods much but I would imagine he just avoids the race topic altogether.

 

[insanepoolgod]

This is a touchy subject. It really is almost impossible to be polite in everyone's eyes when it comes to such matters. I can understand perfectly why the word "black" can be offensive however, there are some that believe the word SHOULD be used because it specifically refers to African Americans who emigrated here through slavery. This DOES distinguish someone whose parents were born in The Ivory Coast.

On the otherhand, outside of race, there are a lot of black & white references which often paint the word "white" as innocent and pure versus black which can be seen as opposite. Some people view racial definition by color as being connected to this.

The bottom line is, you have to be intelligent enough to see the intent of the speaker. I have this discussion all the time with people regarding several different words. It's very common that the choice words change from generation to generation. The goal is not to be hip but to show that you do not mean to offend anyone.

That is why I put the word in quotation marks.

Regardless, racial categories are thrown around too loosely. Barack Obama is probably 50.00000% "white" and 50.00000% "black", but he still is being labelled as the African-American presidential candidate. That bothers me.

Back to the subject of pool. I fortunately come from a town in Louisiana where there is a pool joint (hall is too strong of a word) that has been around since 1938. I can't verify if it happened during legal segregation, but during times when integration in the south wasn't popular, people from all backgrounds would travel hours to gamble on the pool table and on the back room card table. The only color people of different colors cared about was green (the felt and the money).

 

[insanepoolgod]

Being mixed is tough. I mean, I'm ethnically mixed and it's tough. I can only imagine how tough it is for people who are racially mixed. I don't follow golf or Tiger Woods much but I would imagine he just avoids the race topic altogether.

He tried to, but intially the media wouldn't let him dodge answering the questions.

It sometimes is easier to identify with one group that is more inclusive, but I just couldn't do it. I still classify myself as "other" and I don't really give a sh*t what anyone else has to say about it.

Regardless, I let my pool game speak for me.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

He does have an intimidating look when he is sighting in a ball.

Yeah, it's funny though. If you don't know him, he looks REALLY mean. Once you get to know him, it's quite the opposite. He's into video games, always likes having the latest gadgets. You really see it in his meticulousness in pool which is part and parcel of his success. If the man never picked up a cue, he'd probably be an engineer. His "glare" is more like the way a scientist would look over a magnifying glass.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

That is why I put the word in quotation marks.

Regardless, racial categories are thrown around too loosely. Barack Obama is probably 50.00000% "white" and 50.00000% "black", but he still is being labelled as the African-American presidential candidate. That bothers me.

Back to the subject of pool. I fortunately come from a town in Louisiana where there is a pool joint (hall is too strong of a word) that has been around since 1938. I can't verify if it happened during legal segregation, but during times when integration in the south wasn't popular, people from all backgrounds would travel hours to gamble on the pool table and on the back room card table. The only color people of different colors cared about was green (the felt and the money).

Well, I've ALWAYS found pool players to be more inclusive than most. I mean, the fact is, you can have a guy walk into the poolroom with a dress on. If he runs 200 balls, everybody will be talking about his patterns and not his knees.

Just a side note - If you're gonna try going to the poolroom with a dress on and you're a guy, you better run 200 balls otherwise they'll never let you live it down.

 

[juegabillar]

I
Tony Robles and I share lots of the same facial features. We have similar skin tone and, from pictures I have seen, the same hair texture. So I was curious about his background. Does anyone have any knowledge?

Tony is of Puerto Rican descent, and like me, we were born in the U.S.A.

Based on his last name he should have some Spanish descendancy (Spaniards, or from Spain) also, his last name meaning Oak (Robles).

I have Spanish and French descendancy (Acosta from Spain) and (Rollet from France). The Acosta family being light skinned while the Rollet's being mixed.

Most Puerto Ricans may have Spanish, Taino (Puerto Rican Indian) and Black (Slaves) descendancy, plus any additional descendants like French, English, and even American because of several wars or coupe attempts to the Island.

Here's a link to some History about our Island:

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/history.shtml

 

[Renegade]

And my mom used to say that I wouldn't learn anything from playing pool.....

very informative thread, guys! thanks

 

[crater59]

I have known Tony for years. I believe his racial background is not even human. I believe it is from the animal kingdom. I believe he is from the feline family beause he is One Cool Cat.
And, don't underestimate the toughness of Mr. Rosenstock. I live in a Hasidic hood jampacked with Ashkenazis. There are a good many of them with bristly red beards, piercing gray eyes and big meaty fists I would not want to tangle with. Remember that movie with Russel Crowe when he fights Max Baer. Max Baer=Ashkenazi.

 

[SJDinPHX]

Being mixed is tough. I mean, I'm ethnically mixed and it's tough. I can only imagine how tough it is for people who are racially mixed. I don't follow golf or Tiger Woods much but I would imagine he just avoids the race topic altogether.

Jude, I look at it as a mixed blessing. I was privleged to be friends with (and many times ran with) two individuals who, judging by their last name,would be considered Hispanic. I'm refering to Frank (Bananas)Rodriguez and "Bakersfield Bobby" Hernandez. Frank had blue eyes, and very distingutuished looking greying hair. Rod told me he was pure Castillian (Spanish) which I believe he was. Bobby was the offspring of a third generation Mexican father, and a 100% Irish-American mother. Her genes were apperantly more dominant, because Bobby
looked "whiter" than me. When we ventured into Hispanic pool rooms, we were looked upon as two "gringos". Wheras with Rod, No one knew where to put him, as he spoke very fluent Spanish, but perfect English
Personally, I loved them both, and could not have had better friends. Never had one problem in a racially mixed pool room, as they were both class individuals. I don't know Tony Robles personally, But it sounds like he may be cut from the same mold as Bobby and Rod.

Dick

 

[cuetable]

Here is a photo of Tony and his dad, Tony Robles senior, taken at 2007 NYC Amsterdam Billiards US Open Warm Up Tournament

Very, very nice people!

 

[SJDinPHX]

Here is a photo of Tony and his dad, Tony Robles senior, taken at 2007 NYC Amsterdam Billiards US Open Warm Up Tournament

Very, very nice people!

Looks like he comes from good stock. Thanks for the pic.

Dick