Yeah, the killed the site with some big ad that won't go away--at least not during my attention span.
You need to get an ad blocker, makes life online tolerable. It's a short article. Here's the meet and potatoes: “As a black person, I'm against any form of discrimination, against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it,” Barkley said during an interview with CNN. “It's my job, with the position of power that I'm in and being able to be on television, I'm supposed to stand up for the people who can't stand up for themselves. So I think the NBA should move the All-Star Game from Charlotte.” The NBA awarded its midseason showcase to North Carolina city earlier this season. But in the wake of the state’s controversial House Bill 2 passed last month, which banned a Charlotte nondiscrimination law designed to better protect the LGBT community, the league has been reconsidering its options. It sounds like Chuck has grown up a little since his playing days and realizes the positive impact his words can have on the lives of others. Good for him. BNM
Fundamentally, I'm against any individual or league, with a diversity of fans, trying to bully states into conforming to their political views. It is very trendy though.
I think it depends on the views. Had the league had the power to pull games/teams out of the deep Jim Crow south, I would've been in support of it.
Right? "You're just against this because you have empathy for another human being... Fucking sell-out."
That's the most obvious thing that's wrong with it. But then the idea that Chuck "knows someone who is close to him that's gay" is such a 1980s thing to say. Do you really NOT know anyone that is gay? I can't imagine, in the year 2016, not having any openly gay friends.
Not saying it's true in this case... Unfortunately, that's what it takes to open some people's eyes. Fortunately, even if they may not know it yet, most people know, and likely love, someone that's gay and when they find out, it will open their eyes. Many people that tacitly condone discrimination against random strangers, change their tune when that discrimination starts to impact the rights of a loved one. Whatever the reason, I'm glad Barkley spoke out on this issue. I don't agree with everything he says, but this time I do. BNM
Or sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brother-in-law that was in the closet for decades because he grew up in a time and place where it was considered acceptable to beat the shit out of queers/homos. There are STILL places where discrimination is alive in this country - which is obvious by the passing of this controversial law in NC and a similar one in Indiana last year. The fact that celebrities, and ordinary, everyday people still need to speak out in favor of gay (or anyone's) rights, is sad in this day and age. BNM
Was it "trendy" in the 1950s when Red Aurbach refused to stay at hotels that would not accommodate his black players? Fundamentally, I'm against any state that tries to bully individuals by denying them basic human rights. BNM
Yeah, I don't really get the notion that sports should completely stay out of politics, especially in cases that pertain to human rights. Who gives a shit if it alienates bigoted fans? They have a gigantic platform to make a difference and I'm glad Chuck is speaking out.
This is my sentiment. I know it's a good thing. But it kind of feels like when you hear, so and so celebrity is raising awareness about X. Oh and They have a close loved one with X disease.
1. So what? 2. Dude, it's more weird if you DON'T know someone in your life who is gay at this point.
