Stephen Jackson: Ban on chains "racist" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, contending that a league ban on chains worn over clothing is "a racist statement" from the league, wore every long, diamond-studded chain in his collection Tuesday night as a protest. Jackson voiced no opposition to the bulk of the "business casual" demands in the NBA's new dress code, but he described the jewelry ban as "attacking young black males." "I think it's a racist statement because a lot of the guys who are wearing chains are my age and are black," said Jackson, 27. "I wore all my jewelry today to let it be known that I'm upset with it. "I'll wear a suit every day. I think we do need to look more professional because it is a business. A lot of guys have gotten sloppy with the way they dress. But it's one thing to [enforce a] dress code and it's another thing if you're attacking cultures, and that's what I think they're doing." Jackson made his comments before Tuesday's home exhibition game against San Antonio, with the four chains he wore to work hanging in his locker -- one sporting his initials, two with a crucifix and a fourth depicting Jesus Christ. </div> Read More http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/schaddy/dumbassjackson.jpg"> I Oh yeah, and back on topic, Indiana is a team that I want to root for, because they're tough, well coached, good defensively, etc. They have all the traits of a great basketball team. And then I'm reminded that Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson play for them, and my stomach gets a little queasy. I feel bad for you Indiana fans that a couple losers constantly drag your team down, because the focus should be on the potential for the Pacers to win it all this year, not which loudmouth swingman is talking this time...
What makes Jaxs a loser...in my opinion, Stephen is the exact opposite. Yes his shot selection is questionable at times....but since he came in this league its seems like he has been somewhat of a underdog with alot of critics since he didnt make it with the Suns, when he came out of high school. But in my opinion dude always proves nay sayers wrong. He proved he belonged in this league in New Jersey and then went on to win a chip with San Antonio. And now will be a big part of the Pacers success. He took a suspension last year to help protect a teammate. So what has the dude done that makes you consider him a loser? Anyway, the man is just stating his opinion....which does have some merit to it. Please dont get it confused, David Stern with these dress codes is trying to get rid of the association of the NBA with the urban market(a association that his league actually created with the way they marketed the players in this league). So you cant really get mad when guys are calling him on it.
The Dress Code was debatable. But not able to wear Chains is DEFINATLEY RACIST!!!!!! That is obvioulsy racist. The only players that wear jewelry are black players. Stern needs to resign, if I have to protest myself. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> I've always wondered something about these athletes, performers, etc, that wear the Jesus pendant necklaces. I wonder if they've ever read in the Bible that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven. Guess they think about that line when they order those $800,000 necklaces with the son of God's face on them. </div> The young black players of sports or so much more under the microscope than other players. I can't even comment on this one. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Oh yeah, and back on topic, Indiana is a team that I want to root for, because they're tough, well coached, good defensively, etc. They have all the traits of a great basketball team. And then I'm reminded that Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson play for them, and my stomach gets a little queasy. I feel bad for you Indiana fans that a couple losers constantly drag your team down, because the focus should be on the potential for the Pacers to win it all this year, not which loudmouth swingman is talking this time...</div> Your pushing alot of buttons with these comments. First, what exactly makes Stephen Jackson a loser? and what exactly permits you to call him a loudmouth? All athletes sound off........I'll give you a chance to clarify yourself before I go off
I'm all for the dress code, but I think banning the chains is unnecessary. I'm not a big fan of the chains, to me they are obnoxious and ugly, but to each his own. As for the comment by Schaddy about the expensive jewelry. There is merit to it and I've always felt people should be against purchasing and flaunting diamonds. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">People ask me how we wearing diamonds When there's little kids in Sierra Leone Losing arms for crying while they mining Probably an orphan who's momma died of AIDS He built a coffin working often but he never paid Forever slaving in the world that's forever cold Becoming the man of the house at 11 years old</div> -- Talib Kweli <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Good Morning, this ain't Vietnam still People lose hands, legs, arms for real Little was known of Sierra Leone And how it connect to the diamonds we own When I speak of Diamonds in this song I ain't talkin bout the ones that be glown I'm talkin bout Rocafella, my home, my chain These ain't conflict diamonds,is they Jacob? don't lie to me mayne See, a part of me sayin' keep shinin', How? when I know of the blood diamonds Though it's thousands of miles away Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today Over here, its a drug trade, we die from drugs Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses I thought my Jesus Piece was so harmless 'til I seen a picture of a shorty armless</div> -- Kanye West This is a great article on how evil the diamond industry is. National Geographic - Diamonds, the Real Story
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">The Dress Code was debatable. But not able to wear Chains is DEFINATLEY RACIST!!!!!! That is obvioulsy racist. The only players that wear jewelry are black players. Stern needs to resign, if I have to protest myself. The young black players of sports or so much more under the microscope than other players. I can't even comment on this one. Your pushing alot of buttons with these comments. First, what exactly makes Stephen Jackson a loser? and what exactly permits you to call him a loudmouth? All athletes sound off........I'll give you a chance to clarify yourself before I go off</div> I do not agree with this comment. I think the key to players being under the microscope has to do with a player being controversial.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post"> The young black players of sports or so much more under the microscope than other players. I can't even comment on this one.</div> Yeah, I guess I missed the correlation between me saying that flaunting Jesus pieces is wrong and black players being overscrutinized and under the microscope. I'm not even talking about race here, my friend. I don't know how you pull that out, but it's not something I'm talking about. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Your pushing alot of buttons with these comments. First, what exactly makes Stephen Jackson a loser? and what exactly permits you to call him a loudmouth? All athletes sound off........I'll give you a chance to clarify yourself before I go off</div> Why is Stephen Jackson a loser? WHEN YOU GO IN THE STANDS TO BEAT A FAN BECAUSE HE THREW A BEER AT YOUR BUDDY, YOU ARE A LOSER. Has everyone forgotten that already? I don't have a problem with him protesting the diamond ban. He paid for them, and paid a lot for them, so I'm sure I'd be mad if someone told me that I couldn't wear them, too. However, the way he came out with his protest, saying that it's racist, is in my opinion off base. Maybe race has something to do with it - I don't get that impression, but I'm not privy to David Stern's personal thoughts- but I think the far more prevelant factor is that the league is trying to promote professionalism, and last time I saw my dad leave for the office, he didn't have a 12 carrat hunk of gold and ruby with Christ's face on it hanging from his neck.
shapecity, glad to see you appreciate good MC's, but get ready for MANY raps about the new dress code and how it's racist...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">shapecity, glad to see you appreciate good MC's, but get ready for MANY raps about the new dress code and how it's racist...</div> Be prepared for many more kids dying mining for diamonds, too. Don't you think this is a much greater issue and MCs should express this message more?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">What makes Jaxs a loser...in my opinion, Stephen is the exact opposite. Yes his shot selection is questionable at times....but since he came in this league its seems like he has been somewhat of a underdog with alot of critics since he didnt make it with the Suns, when he came out of high school. But in my opinion dude always proves nay sayers wrong. He proved he belonged in this league in New Jersey and then went on to win a chip with San Antonio. And now will be a big part of the Pacers success. He took a suspension last year to help protect a teammate. So what has the dude done that makes you consider him a loser? Anyway, the man is just stating his opinion....which does have some merit to it. Please dont get it confused, David Stern with these dress codes is trying to get rid of the association of the NBA with the urban market(a association that his league actually created with the way they marketed the players in this league). So you cant really get mad when guys are calling him on it.</div> I respect what you're saying, man. I guess Jackson's always been a guy who just sort of rubbed me the wrong way. I see what you're saying about protecting your teammates, but dude, at the same time his actions were pretty inappropriate. I think that he was very much in the wrong for what he did. My opinion on that situation is similar to my opinion with regards to the necklace situation; my problem is with how he handles his situations, not his opinions. In Detroit, he shouldn't have followed Artest to the stands. There are many other ways it could've been better handled. I'm not giving the loser Piston fans who threw the beers a free pass; as I've said before they're just as dumb for what they did as Artest or Jackson. However, as a player, you have to resist the urge to sink to that level. The way he handled that situation leaves him open for harsh criticism. This situation is similar. If he showed up to a game with the diamonds and said "I don't believe that commish Stern should be declaring that we can't wear our necklaces, I think that as long as we maintain a professional persona and follow the guidelines of the new dress code, we should be allowed a bit of freedom to accesorize." Now doesn't that sound more professional, respectful, and intelligent than walking in chains swinging saying "I think it's just racist"? It does to me. Maybe that's just a difference of opinion, but I believe it would be a far more constructive way to handle the situation. I have no problem with a player voicing his opinion. The problems occur when a player comes off the way Jackson seems to be coming off. There are better ways to handle certain situations, and I think Stephen would be wise to understand that.
I dont know, I have always been a jeans & nike kind of guy myself..and my mom is always telling me your in your 20's now not teens so look like it...so I can understand David Stern wanting alot of these guys to look like grown men. But if it was only about that then I can agree but it runs deeper then that...it is the NBA trying to distance its self from a culture...which is boarderline racist. Mainly because it is a culture that is most associated with african-amercians and latins in the minds of the masses, which is very untrue realistically. If David Stern made a rule that all players are required to wear a suit to all post game press conferences were News reporters and TV station will be then I could live with that...because I think if you are giving a interveiw with 30 plus TV reporters there then it directly effects the professional look of the NBA. I somewhat can accept the fact that seeing AI(or any player) sit at a stage with a Jersey on after a playoff game with 12 million people watching, is not a good look for the NBA from a professional aspect. But to require a guy to drive to a average game in Febuary, in a 3 pieace suit is to much, imo. Should have put a dress code on press conferences, a dress code on anything else, I cant really respect.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> I've always wondered something about these athletes, performers, etc, that wear the Jesus pendant necklaces. I wonder if they've ever read in the Bible that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven. Guess they think about that line when they order those $800,000 necklaces with the son of God's face on them. </div> I wonder if a guy like Stephen Jackson reads the bible? It seems to me that he is blinded by pride, which is why he jumped into the stands beating up innocent people. Also I think buying these excessively expensive chains of diamonds is just to show off your massive amount of wealth, which doesn't seem very humble now does it? But about the Diamond thing, the problem is that most people don't co-relate purchasing something with diamonds and the loss of life and the suffering of children. I don't think that S. Jackson wants any harm to come to them. Personally I don't see why people care so much about shiny rocks. Although they are very useful due to their incredible hardness, however I don't think most people are purchasing them for that property or using them for extensive drilling. I do think the dress code is too much. Maybe jeans and a collared shirt? Maybe for playoffs suits should be required. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Be prepared for many more kids dying mining for diamonds, too. Don't you think this is a much greater issue and MCs should express this message more?</div> Shape's got it right on this one.
