Get with the times

"Everyone has to understand that Augusta isn't quick to change things," Woods said in August in his personal diary at www.tigerwoods.com.\n"No matter what I or the press say, they do things at their own pace, such as allowing the first black golfer to play or join the club, and won't buckle to outside pressure. Would I like to see women members? Yes, that would be great, but I am only one voice."\nWoods might only be one voice, and he might think it's not fair for the New York Times to ask him to give up the opportunity no one else has ever had to win three Masters in a row. But excuse me if I can't feel sorry for someone who is selfish enough to put his own ego before the major chance to further deface institutionalized discrimination and sexism in America. \nIn fact, every time Woods garners the chance to make a social comment, he turns his head. You don't simply fall into fame. Woods knows how truly persuasive his actions can be, and he chooses to ignore this incredible opportunity to prompt real, social change. Even if advocating a social agenda was never his goal in stepping up to the tee, the reality is -- he has a moral obligation to fight discrimination. \nThe Times' editorial took guts. I commend them for their commitment to furthering the campaign for gender equity by stepping out of the box and perhaps doing more for the cause than anyone else at this point, by actually saying something that too many others were avoiding out of mere ties to pragmatism.