If you don't know that the term stems from a homophobic place, then that's on you - doesn't mean its roots aren't homophobic. I find it interesting that this is essentially the exact same thing our country was going through (and is still going through) during the civil rights movement, only race has been replaced by sexual orientation. And I can't imagine any of you (okay, maybe a couple) arguing in favor of the race relations of the 1950s, yet most seem so quick to defend (and use!) homophobic speech and expression.
"No homo" is no where near calling someone a "***got" or actually insulting someone. He's not talking about any other person. He's talking about himself and homosexuality, not homosexuals. Ya'll have no right to be so upset.
I also find it a hug double standard that someone is allowed to type the word homo, but not niqqer By the way, I feel both are incredibly offensive, and there is no need to ever say either word.
But you can not type faqqot, I believe. Which would end up being the equivalent. You can type homo. And you can type negro, I think. Let's see.
"No homo" in that context seems to be similar to "that's what she said". Is "that's what she said" anti-woman? The term "homo" might be offensive to some people, I suppose, but the term "gay" was offensive a few years ago, too, and I don't find it reasonable for everyone to keep up with the latest and greatest in inoffensive speech. With all of this being said, Hibbert makes a LOT of money and he needs to be careful with what he says and what he does. I don't feel too bad for him in this case. Ed O.
That would be your own prejudices coming into play. When I eat watermelon, I certainly don't assign racial stereotypes to it
You're correct - it's not as bad as some terminology, and it's not directed at an individual. But it is still a homophobic term. It doesn't need to be directed at an individual for it to be insensitive or offensive. Why are people making excuses for homophobic behavior?
And that's largely why this "NH" term is homophobic. MM's comparison is completely spot on. Racism connects the two keys in his examples, and homophobism (?) connects to the two keys in Hibbert's statement.
Because when you broaden something that is bad to the point of being irrelevant to almost everyone, it waters down the stuff that is ACTUALLY bad. "Homophobic" casts such a wide net these days that, rather than having everyone try to be more sensitive to the realities of what LGBT deal with it results in a lot of eye rolling about people who want others to walk on eggshells. Ed O.
In the grand scheme of things, what does Roy Hibbert saying "no homo" mean to anyone? We live in a society fueled by perpetual outrage. I can see fining the guy $5k and donating it to a LGBT cause, but $75k? Come on.
I think a more apt comparison are white folks going to get some soul food and speaking in jive. "I love me some collard greens".
And I'm sure that people rolled their eyes when someone said that separate but equal isn't equal. Look - I'm not a fan of PC BS and tiptoeing around because feelings might get hurt. But let's not pretend that this isn't homophobic. Call it what it is. If we simply ignore it - or worse, condone it - we as a society will not change. And I think it's pretty clear that we still have a ways to go before gay people are treated equally in this country.
Perhaps it's context sensitive? The word homosexual isn't considered a slur. So, is homo a slur, or just short for homosexual? I suppose it depends on how it's used. Of course, African Americans call each other ******s and gays call each other queers. So, maybe it depends on who is saying it as well as the context. I honestly don't know. I'll ask my daughter. She's gay and very active in the LGBT community. Exactly. Hibbert makes what, $14 million a year? $75,000 is nothing compared to his income. Even if what he said isn't considered a slur by most people, it was a stupid thing to say and the fine has people, like this forum, discussing this issue. And discussion is healthy. If nothing else, it raises awareness and will cause others to think before they speak. While a lot of what is passed off a politically correct is bullshit, raising issues about hate speech is not. I don't think Hibbert was "hating on" anyone, but his insensitive comment and resulting fine has raised awareness of this issue. In the end, that's a good thing. BNM
I mostly agree with you, but is saying that he is not gay the same thing as smearing a gay person? It's not like he went Kobe and called someone a "f**king f****t". I've seen people post "no homo" on this board and many others, and nobody ever seemed to be outraged by it.
What if he had suffixed it like Seinfeld? "I stretched out LeBron on defense. Not that there's anything wrong with it."
