|
On May 01 2013 06:42 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:33 OuchyDathurts wrote:On May 01 2013 06:19 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 06:12 Acertos wrote:On May 01 2013 06:02 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 05:56 Shiori wrote: I'm not sure how people are debating this. What's wrong with a gay guy coming out of the closet in a public sphere? Is this not universally a good thing for everybody? Even if one is against homosexual marriage, isn't the prospect of gay people feeling comfortable in society a good thing overall? Because the NBA is supposed about skill not sexual preference. If you don't have the skill you shouldn't be able to participate. This player has no ability to compete in the league but will now secure a position on a team because he developed an elaborate psychodrama the media is eating up saving his nothing career. This shouldnt have even been a story but hollywood controversy consultants had other ideas. I have always wondered why conspiracy believers like you believe in dumb shit while there are other real ones they will disclaim. You think he will stay longer in his team because of that? The opposite is way more realistic. 100% sure it will create problems with his team. Problems can rise from within with the staff members and players or from their fans or people that will now mock the team because a gay is in it etc... You think its a conspiracy that before he announced he was gay he had zero team offers and after he had 15 them offers? This isn't about sexuality its about business marketing. The NBA wants to make themselves look more accepting of others. They will go along with this buntil people in the stands demand the gay player to start for the teameven though he cant play worth a damn. Things will become more of a circus than it already are because of the tyranny of the majority. Not sure why I'm responding to an obvious troll but lets see these 15 offers please. I mean, you're not pulling shit completely out of your ass here right? Go ahead and link them for us please. He's been playing in the NBA since '01. He's played for a lot of teams. He's always been nothing but an absolute fucking professional. He doesn't run his mouth, he's not a showboat, he's not a jackass he just does his fucking job. Which is something many other pro athletes could learn from. Apparently now the NBA is conspiring to look more accepting of others too? Of the big 4 sports in America the NBA is one of the more accepting ones compared to Hockey and Football. The "mans man" face smashing contact game aspect isn't there. It's the game of finesse, so not sure why they'd be dying to be thought of as more accepting than they are. Jason Collins 2012-13 Statistics. PPG: 1.1; RPG: 1.60; APG: 0.2; EFF: + 2.21. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_collins/career_stats.htmlWith stats like those any heterosexual player would have been shunned immediately. Now that he is using emotional currency to leverage teams he will be hired. Nothing complicated about that.
He's 7 foot fucking tall. He'll play literally as long as he wants to play, gay or straight. You cant teach 7 foot tall. 7 foot tall people don't just grow on trees. You think he's supposed to be Michael fucking Jordan or something? 7 foot tall players are like left handers in baseball. They're ALWAYS good to have around. If he came out or not he'd find someplace to play very very easily.
On top of that you have the fact that he's been in the closet, lying to those around him his entire life and the emotional baggage that brings. If he'd come out 10 years ago maybe he's 10 times the player he is because he doesn't have to live a fucking lie. He doesn't have to be hide who he is and that helps him flourish even more. We'll never know but any athlete will tell you emotional baggage will fucking cripple you.
I'm still waiting for a link to those 15 offers or are you ready to admit you're making shit up?
|
On May 01 2013 06:48 OuchyDathurts wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:42 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 06:33 OuchyDathurts wrote:On May 01 2013 06:19 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 06:12 Acertos wrote:On May 01 2013 06:02 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 05:56 Shiori wrote: I'm not sure how people are debating this. What's wrong with a gay guy coming out of the closet in a public sphere? Is this not universally a good thing for everybody? Even if one is against homosexual marriage, isn't the prospect of gay people feeling comfortable in society a good thing overall? Because the NBA is supposed about skill not sexual preference. If you don't have the skill you shouldn't be able to participate. This player has no ability to compete in the league but will now secure a position on a team because he developed an elaborate psychodrama the media is eating up saving his nothing career. This shouldnt have even been a story but hollywood controversy consultants had other ideas. I have always wondered why conspiracy believers like you believe in dumb shit while there are other real ones they will disclaim. You think he will stay longer in his team because of that? The opposite is way more realistic. 100% sure it will create problems with his team. Problems can rise from within with the staff members and players or from their fans or people that will now mock the team because a gay is in it etc... You think its a conspiracy that before he announced he was gay he had zero team offers and after he had 15 them offers? This isn't about sexuality its about business marketing. The NBA wants to make themselves look more accepting of others. They will go along with this buntil people in the stands demand the gay player to start for the teameven though he cant play worth a damn. Things will become more of a circus than it already are because of the tyranny of the majority. Not sure why I'm responding to an obvious troll but lets see these 15 offers please. I mean, you're not pulling shit completely out of your ass here right? Go ahead and link them for us please. He's been playing in the NBA since '01. He's played for a lot of teams. He's always been nothing but an absolute fucking professional. He doesn't run his mouth, he's not a showboat, he's not a jackass he just does his fucking job. Which is something many other pro athletes could learn from. Apparently now the NBA is conspiring to look more accepting of others too? Of the big 4 sports in America the NBA is one of the more accepting ones compared to Hockey and Football. The "mans man" face smashing contact game aspect isn't there. It's the game of finesse, so not sure why they'd be dying to be thought of as more accepting than they are. Jason Collins 2012-13 Statistics. PPG: 1.1; RPG: 1.60; APG: 0.2; EFF: + 2.21. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_collins/career_stats.htmlWith stats like those any heterosexual player would have been shunned immediately. Now that he is using emotional currency to leverage teams he will be hired. Nothing complicated about that. He's 7 foot fucking tall. He'll play literally as long as he wants to play, gay or straight. You cant teach 7 foot tall. 7 foot tall people don't just grow on trees. You think he's supposed to be Michael fucking Jordan or something? 7 foot tall players are like left handers in baseball. They're ALWAYS good to have around. If he came out or not he'd find someplace to play very very easily. On top of that you have the fact that he's been in the closet, lying to those around him his entire life and the emotional baggage that brings. If he'd come out 10 years ago maybe he's 10 times the player he is because he doesn't have to live a fucking lie. He doesn't have to be hide who he is and that helps him flourish even more. We'll never know but any athlete will tell you emotional baggage will fucking cripple you. I'm still waiting for a link to those 15 offers or are you ready to admit you're making shit up?
I am indifferent.
User was warned for this post
|
On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one.
Of course.
Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news.
|
On May 01 2013 06:49 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:48 OuchyDathurts wrote:On May 01 2013 06:42 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 06:33 OuchyDathurts wrote:On May 01 2013 06:19 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 06:12 Acertos wrote:On May 01 2013 06:02 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote:On May 01 2013 05:56 Shiori wrote: I'm not sure how people are debating this. What's wrong with a gay guy coming out of the closet in a public sphere? Is this not universally a good thing for everybody? Even if one is against homosexual marriage, isn't the prospect of gay people feeling comfortable in society a good thing overall? Because the NBA is supposed about skill not sexual preference. If you don't have the skill you shouldn't be able to participate. This player has no ability to compete in the league but will now secure a position on a team because he developed an elaborate psychodrama the media is eating up saving his nothing career. This shouldnt have even been a story but hollywood controversy consultants had other ideas. I have always wondered why conspiracy believers like you believe in dumb shit while there are other real ones they will disclaim. You think he will stay longer in his team because of that? The opposite is way more realistic. 100% sure it will create problems with his team. Problems can rise from within with the staff members and players or from their fans or people that will now mock the team because a gay is in it etc... You think its a conspiracy that before he announced he was gay he had zero team offers and after he had 15 them offers? This isn't about sexuality its about business marketing. The NBA wants to make themselves look more accepting of others. They will go along with this buntil people in the stands demand the gay player to start for the teameven though he cant play worth a damn. Things will become more of a circus than it already are because of the tyranny of the majority. Not sure why I'm responding to an obvious troll but lets see these 15 offers please. I mean, you're not pulling shit completely out of your ass here right? Go ahead and link them for us please. He's been playing in the NBA since '01. He's played for a lot of teams. He's always been nothing but an absolute fucking professional. He doesn't run his mouth, he's not a showboat, he's not a jackass he just does his fucking job. Which is something many other pro athletes could learn from. Apparently now the NBA is conspiring to look more accepting of others too? Of the big 4 sports in America the NBA is one of the more accepting ones compared to Hockey and Football. The "mans man" face smashing contact game aspect isn't there. It's the game of finesse, so not sure why they'd be dying to be thought of as more accepting than they are. Jason Collins 2012-13 Statistics. PPG: 1.1; RPG: 1.60; APG: 0.2; EFF: + 2.21. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_collins/career_stats.htmlWith stats like those any heterosexual player would have been shunned immediately. Now that he is using emotional currency to leverage teams he will be hired. Nothing complicated about that. He's 7 foot fucking tall. He'll play literally as long as he wants to play, gay or straight. You cant teach 7 foot tall. 7 foot tall people don't just grow on trees. You think he's supposed to be Michael fucking Jordan or something? 7 foot tall players are like left handers in baseball. They're ALWAYS good to have around. If he came out or not he'd find someplace to play very very easily. On top of that you have the fact that he's been in the closet, lying to those around him his entire life and the emotional baggage that brings. If he'd come out 10 years ago maybe he's 10 times the player he is because he doesn't have to live a fucking lie. He doesn't have to be hide who he is and that helps him flourish even more. We'll never know but any athlete will tell you emotional baggage will fucking cripple you. I'm still waiting for a link to those 15 offers or are you ready to admit you're making shit up? I am indifferent.
I'm sure you'll see yourself to the door then.
|
On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. Because telling all the gay athletes that they should stay in the closet until after their career is over and they have no offers to play again before coming out is going to move us forward as a society? Thats the entire message this guy sent.
|
On May 01 2013 06:56 Sermokala wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. Because telling all the gay athletes that they should stay in the closet until after their career is over and they have no offers to play again before coming out is going to move us forward as a society? Thats the entire message this guy sent.
His career isn't over. He's probably past his career peak but it's certainly not over. And, you're missing all of the support he's received from other players who sent the message "we are totally fine with having gay teammates."
|
On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. The very existence of this thread proves this wrong. When every third comment is basically "if you think there is something wrong with being gay, you are an ignorant, retarded, stupid, go-dieinhell person"; then it can't even be further from tolerance. How about just not giving a shit about it? Why would anyone say he is gay or not, when noone is asking? As far as I know, basketball has nothing to do with your sexual preferences. This is at least the fault of gay-supporters than not. Bringing an issue up in completely irrelevant topics.
|
Funny thing about this as a Nets fan i remember Jason Kidds wife in 07 ( when Collins still was with the Nets ) spreading rumors about a gay player on the Nets. Turns out she was right afterall although i don't think anybody expected it to a) actually true and b) be Twin / Set Shot Willy .
Good for him though . In his situation he doesn't really have much to lose anymore anyway. He's a roleplayer on the tailend of his career . Employed more for veteran leadership and lockerroom pressence than actual play on the court . Not to mention he was allways well liked by just about every teammate and coach that he ever played for and with. Hell it'll probably help him more than hurt him to get a job for next season .
Anyway i'm really suprised how long he managed to bounce around in the league after the Nets traded him. He looked like he was very close to done 5 years ago when the Nets traded him to Memphis for Stromile Swift .
|
On May 01 2013 06:10 dotHead wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 05:56 Shiori wrote: What's wrong with a gay guy coming out of the closet in a public sphere? Is this not universally a good thing for everybody? Who he has sex with is good for me how? I'm not getting dinner, or a movie, or a reach around. All is does is fill up the news with more dramatic bullshit. Oh, and it also gives us another thread to argue about politics, xenophobia, and religion here on TL.
Then don't open the thread.
|
Can someone of the US-posters claiming that he is only doing this because of publicity and that his basket career is going to an end and so fourth explain and this to me: How come this guy is (one of?) the first gay athelete to come out? Surely, if it would be so beneficial to publicy announce that you are gay, many would've done it before him? Why do we not hear this kind of stuff everyday if what you are saying is true.
|
On May 01 2013 07:39 Lazermonkey wrote: Can someone of the US-posters claiming that he is only doing this because of publicity and that his basket career is going to an end and so fourth explain and this to me: How come this guy is (one of?) the first gay athelete to come out? Surely, if it would be so beneficial to publicy announce that you are gay, many would've done it before him? Why do we not hear this kind of stuff everyday if what you are saying is true.
The same reason Obama suddenly came out in support of gay Marriage right after the big North Carolina vote, and during an election year, and not while he was running initially, or before he was voted in.
|
United States41345 Posts
On May 01 2013 07:08 Antyee wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. The very existence of this thread proves this wrong. When every third comment is basically "if you think there is something wrong with being gay, you are an ignorant, retarded, stupid, go-dieinhell person"; then it can't even be further from tolerance. How about just not giving a shit about it? Why would anyone say he is gay or not, when noone is asking? As far as I know, basketball has nothing to do with your sexual preferences. This is at least the fault of gay-supporters than not. Bringing an issue up in completely irrelevant topics. No-one is asking questions about sexuality because the default assumption is that you're straight which, as a straight person, suits you just fine. This is called privilege, you can't see the issues because they don't impact you and therefore you conclude that there are no issues. However not everyone is straight, for some people the barrage of "you must be attracted to this", "you must be like this", "this is how a man is defined" comprises an unrelenting assault on their identity. You can dismiss things as having nothing to do with sexual preference because your sexual preference is aligned with the prevailing current and blends in seamlessly, other people are not so lucky.
You don't have to understand what it feels like to have the "wrong" sexual preference, it's an alien concept to most people, but you ought to recognise your inherent hetero privilege. You get to see the world as not challenging your sexual identity because it doesn't challenge yours but that doesn't give you a platform to dismiss the experiences of others from.
|
On May 01 2013 05:56 OuchyDathurts wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 05:50 Ubiquitousdichotomy wrote: I don't buy this for a second. I'm all for gay rights and equality for all but this is obviously this this is just a angle his agent created to get him signed for another season. He career was over averaging less than a point a game, 34 years old in his 12th year of the league and suddenly he wants to announce hes gay? give me a break. If Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, said he was gay I would believe it because they have nothing to gain. This is just a marketing ploy. Gay conspiracy theory huh? Cool story. You must live in the Rush Limbaugh world where if gay marriage was legal suddenly straight men would run around claiming to love cock to get some of their buddy's health insurance. Jesus christ. I don't know if throwing out another wild conspiracy theory is helpful to showing how unbelievable the quoted poster is. Part of this angle is whether this is a publicity stunt by a previously closeted gay or his bold step away from a don't ask don't tell NBA culture. What kind of lies the left would believe about a conservative icon doesn't really get on the same level. Is the attention the plus for making this step financially or personally/movement oriented? I lean towards the movement and the attention there, essentially, for personal reasons. I could be way off and he wanted endorsements and public accolades and the money. Damnit, I had to keep looking up his darn name because I hadn't heard this guys long NBA career or team before this date.
|
United Kingdom36156 Posts
On May 01 2013 07:46 KwarK wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 07:08 Antyee wrote:On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. The very existence of this thread proves this wrong. When every third comment is basically "if you think there is something wrong with being gay, you are an ignorant, retarded, stupid, go-dieinhell person"; then it can't even be further from tolerance. How about just not giving a shit about it? Why would anyone say he is gay or not, when noone is asking? As far as I know, basketball has nothing to do with your sexual preferences. This is at least the fault of gay-supporters than not. Bringing an issue up in completely irrelevant topics. No-one is asking questions about sexuality because the default assumption is that you're straight which, as a straight person, suits you just fine. This is called privilege, you can't see the issues because they don't impact you and therefore you conclude that there are no issues. However not everyone is straight, for some people the barrage of "you must be attracted to this", "you must be like this", "this is how a man is defined" comprises an unrelenting assault on their identity. You can dismiss things as having nothing to do with sexual preference because your sexual preference is aligned with the prevailing current and blends in seamlessly, other people are not so lucky. You don't have to understand what it feels like to have the "wrong" sexual preference, it's an alien concept to most people, but you ought to recognise your inherent hetero privilege. You get to see the world as not challenging your sexual identity because it doesn't challenge yours but that doesn't give you a platform to dismiss the experiences of others from.
This really sums up some of the frustration I've had reading the thread far more eloquently than I can ever put it. It's not a big deal for straights because they've never had to put up with it, and if they're tolerant, they likely don't have friends who are intolerant either.
There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of gay kids in the US who face real AND imaginary persecution when they're growing up as gay, and sport is one of the biggest bastions that has resisted becoming 'gay-friendly'. End of career or not, this IS a huge deal, maybe not to you (dear straight reader) but to people who understand it first hand and most importantly those growing up where they are still both legally and socially discriminated against because they are attracted to the 'wrong' sex.
edit: and I was somewhat amused by the guy from the UK last page or so who shook their head bemusedly at the difference between the US and Europe. I'm pretty grateful to be living in the UK which is by and large fairly tolerant, but I've been part of a few horrible incidents. Mathematically it's only a few horrible incidents out of thousands of normal interactions with society, but they do exist; homophobia very much isn't dead in 'liberal' countries like the UK.
|
On May 01 2013 06:56 Sermokala wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. Because telling all the gay athletes that they should stay in the closet until after their career is over and they have no offers to play again before coming out is going to move us forward as a society? Thats the entire message this guy sent. Really? Sports is one of the main places that anti-gay sentiment has a home that is unquestioned, and to state that he should have toughed it out and possibly lost his career due to this sentiment by stating this earlier would be stupid. You want the guy to be a martyr and he isn't that, he isn't stupid enough to be one either. Being a martyr is great for anyone who wants to point to the cause, but terrible for the person who martyrs. This guy has done a lot just by coming out, don't try to down-play that by asking for something saintly, he's a human who needs to put food on the table and have a stable income too; if he did what you want he might have lost a lot more than a dwindling career.
EDIT: at s3rp, I miss Stromile , god I wish I had the 2004 grizz, I loved that team. Then Battier was traded, swift was traded and had an eh rest of his career, Lorenzen Wright was shot in the ghetto, Pau Gasol left after the Grizz couldn't keep up the magic, Jason Kidd got traded of course, and Mike Miller was traded for others. Of course now the Grizz are awesome and have a graduate of my school playing for them, but still, dem memories.
|
Good for him, it shouldn't make a difference
|
It's cool dont really care isnt he like a journeyman center so he is ok at what he does. I mean I would be surprised if he gets black listed for his sexual orientation.
|
Who cares about what his sexual orientation is or anyone's for that manner.....you don't hear other sports players saying "O'm straight".......this is more of a publicity stunt as now more people will know hos name.
Nonetheless I could care less whether hes gay or not or anyone for that manner keep it to yourself its personal.
|
On May 01 2013 08:55 SjPhotoGrapher wrote: Who cares about what his sexual orientation is or anyone's for that manner.....you don't hear other sports players saying "O'm straight".......this is more of a publicity stunt as now more people will know hos name.
Nonetheless I could care less whether hes gay or not or anyone for that manner keep it to yourself its personal.
By the same token then - why should he keep it to himself if it doesn't matter? I talk about how much I love boobs with my guy friends sometimes. If he wants to talk about how much he loves rock hard man abs or something he should be able to. The fact that he's just coming out in his thirties reveals more about our culture than about him personally - in my opinion at least. I don't think gay people sit around waiting for the most lucrative opportunity to reveal themselves to the public. He's probably known he was gay for a long time - but was afraid of the negative social stigma. Like someone else has said in this thread (KwarK?) being straight makes you privileged in this society in the same way that being white does (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_privilege) - even if you don't actually recognize that priviledge yourself. You are not at fault, per se, but there are certain things you take for granted as a privileged individual. Everyone assumes you are straight - so you don't feel that it's necessary to clarify sexual orientation - but if everyone assumed you were gay - wouldn't you feel the need to clarify that point?
Look at it this way. If you are white in the US - you generally don't have to worry about people being racist towards you. You don't have to worry about explaining to your children "yeah, that guy's an ignorant racist, don't listen to him." However, if you are an ethnic minority - you might have to explain to your children why some idiots at school call them names or treat them differently. It's all a matter of perspective.
|
On May 01 2013 07:46 KwarK wrote:Show nested quote +On May 01 2013 07:08 Antyee wrote:On May 01 2013 06:49 FallDownMarigold wrote:On May 01 2013 06:25 ampson wrote: If we were a truly tolerant society, wouldn't we not give a mediocre basketball player heaps of attention and praise for the sole reason that he is gay? If sexual orientation doesn't matter, why is this man a "hero" or anything of the sort? I mean, it's cool that the dude can be openly gay and all, but it doesn't make him better than any other guy and it's certainly not newsworthy even on a local level, much less a national one. Of course. Unfortunately we are not a truly tolerant society. We are working toward that end. Many of us are already there as individuals, but on the whole, we still have many many people who are straggling behind who require a lot of help to move forward with the rest of us, which is why something like this hits the news. The very existence of this thread proves this wrong. When every third comment is basically "if you think there is something wrong with being gay, you are an ignorant, retarded, stupid, go-dieinhell person"; then it can't even be further from tolerance. How about just not giving a shit about it? Why would anyone say he is gay or not, when noone is asking? As far as I know, basketball has nothing to do with your sexual preferences. This is at least the fault of gay-supporters than not. Bringing an issue up in completely irrelevant topics. No-one is asking questions about sexuality because the default assumption is that you're straight which, as a straight person, suits you just fine. This is called privilege, you can't see the issues because they don't impact you and therefore you conclude that there are no issues. However not everyone is straight, for some people the barrage of "you must be attracted to this", "you must be like this", "this is how a man is defined" comprises an unrelenting assault on their identity. You can dismiss things as having nothing to do with sexual preference because your sexual preference is aligned with the prevailing current and blends in seamlessly, other people are not so lucky. You don't have to understand what it feels like to have the "wrong" sexual preference, it's an alien concept to most people, but you ought to recognise your inherent hetero privilege. You get to see the world as not challenging your sexual identity because it doesn't challenge yours but that doesn't give you a platform to dismiss the experiences of others from.
Yep. "Normal" is a bullshit word. All it does is remind those that aren't "normal" that everyone else isn't like them.
|
|
|
|