Want to be like everyone else? Act like everyone else.

[jaxhawksfan]

So I had the unbearable fate of being forced to watch ESPN while I sat at Moe's and ate my lunch.   All they could seem to talk about was the basketball player being the "first active player in pro sports to come out as ***."  Is this really a story?</p>


 </p>


I'm pretty sure most of his teammates knew he was ***, or at least suspected it.  I'm sure the heterosexual players don't "announce" they are straight.  As has been said many times, who gives a shit what you do and who you do it with in your bedroom?</p>


 </p>


My question lies more with all minorities though.  If you want so much to be equal to everyone else, then why not try to act like everyone else?  You know, blend.  Why do you constantly have to fight for recognition, headlines, special rules, etc?  I get the fact that many aren't comfortable being minorities.  I don't like going places where I'm the only white guy for the most part.  When I went to Korea, I had no issues because I fully expected to be a minority</p>


 </p>


***/Straight (Can't change who you are, but I see no need to bring unwanted attention to yourself)</p>


Man/Woman (Women are the majority on the planet, stop pretending to be butthurt all the time, and stop trying to be men)</p>


Black/White (Plenty of successful black people on the planet.  Maybe evaluate yourself compared to them?)</p>


etc.</p>


 </p>


How about just being human?  If you are part of what you perceive to be a minority, then why shine a spotlight on yourself?  Do you want to be a part of a different group or what?  </p>

 

[Variable]

Oh bad.</p>

 

[jaxhawksfan]

What is bad? My mind? I just can't seem to wrap my head around the whole thing so I figured you guys would help me out.  Is it just the media again?  I'm just looking for some guidance or some theories.</p>


 </p>


I mean we have ladies on these very boards who express feelings of not being treated the same as everyone else.</p>

 

[Variable]

Your solution is the problem.</p>

 

[Tater]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Variable" data-cid="193264" data-time="1367357241">
<div>


Your solution is the problem.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Discussing it is the problem? Really.</p>

 

[Variable]

No, saying just act like everyone else in order to blend in is the problem.</p>

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Nah, the headline was written just like headlines in media, to grab attention.  That isn't really my solution on the whole.</p>


 </p>


My point is that drawing attention to yourself or screaming for special rights or treatment because you want to be treated like everyone else is quite ironic.</p>

 

[Variable]

There are a couple problems with what you're saying nonetheless. First off, no one is asking for "special rules". Jason Collins isn't asking for special rules for himself. I don't know why it always devolves to someone saying that as some sort of argument but it happens almost every single time a debate  comes up with homosexuality and them asking for "special rights". They aren't asking for special rules or treatment. They're asking for the simple respect and acceptance in who they are that heterosexuals get without a second thought, hell without a first thought, it's automatic.  I don't see how you don't understand how in an environment like pro sports, especially team pro sports, with all it's macho bullshit that runs rampant, how being *** has/could ostracize players from their team, their sport, their career. How that risk is always a concern for them if they don't pretend or "blend in" as you say.  That's the problem. They shouldn't have to do that.</p>


 </p>


There has to be a start to it in order for that to change. Has to begin somewhere, with someone. Hopefully Jason Collins was the start. Either way, took a lot of courage to do that.</p>

 

[ytsejam]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jaxhawksfan" data-cid="193260" data-time="1367352836">


So I had the unbearable fate of being forced to watch ESPN while I sat at Moe's and ate my lunch.   All they could seem to talk about was the basketball player being the "first active player in pro sports to come out as ***."  Is this really a story?

 

I'm pretty sure most of his teammates knew he was ***, or at least suspected it. <u> I'm sure the heterosexual players don't "announce" they are straight.</u>  As has been said many times, who gives a shit what you do and who you do it with in your bedroom?

 

My question lies more with all minorities though.  If you want so much to be equal to everyone else, then why not try to act like everyone else?  You know, blend.  Why do you constantly have to fight for recognition, headlines, special rules, etc?  I get the fact that many aren't comfortable being minorities.  I don't like going places where I'm the only white guy for the most part.  When I went to Korea, I had no issues because I fully expected to be a minority

 

***/Straight (Can't change who you are, but I see no need to bring unwanted attention to yourself)

Man/Woman (Women are the majority on the planet, stop pretending to be butthurt all the time, and stop trying to be men)

Black/White (Plenty of successful black people on the planet.  Maybe evaluate yourself compared to them?)

etc.

 

How about just being human?  If you are part of what you perceive to be a minority, then why shine a spotlight on yourself?  Do you want to be a part of a different group or what?</p>
</blockquote>


 </p>


What?  Sure they do, Jax.  Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kaner, and hundreds of others were pretty damn clearly straight.  They didn't put a 3 sentence statement in a magazine like Collins but it was pretty obvious.</p>


Good on Collins. </p>


Remember that not too long ago *** people were considered by many or most people to be mentally ill and/or immoral.</p>


Hell, too many people still do now.  Look at those Westboro idiots for an extreme example.</p>


 </p>


Time for hockey!</p>


Cheers!</p>

 

[supraman]

I just want equality for all. I mean we have black history month, when is white history month? They have *** day at Disney, when is straight day?</p>


*** pride parades. What about straight pride parades.</p>


 </p>


You are different not special</p>

 

[Variable]

I don't get how a celebration of heritage or  one born out of a struggle for equal rights (which hasn't happened yet) somehow means..... they're getting..... special rights. I don't know how people get to that conclusion.</p>

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Variable, you are really not going to sit here and deny that there are special "rewards" for some people are you?  If so, I have 2 words for you:</p>


 </p>


Affirmative Action.</p>


 </p>


Now, do you want to have a serious conversation?   This isn't just about *** folks, it was just the trigger for the question.  I don't give a shit if the guy came out, or stayed in the closet.  I'm more asking about society as a whole and how the media skews things.</p>

 

[jaxhawksfan]

I agree Supra.  Thanks for summing it up in 3 words:  Different, not special.    We are all different in our own way.</p>

 

[winos5]

Can't help but think it was a shrewd career move. The guy is a 36 YO washed up player currently unsigned. A career off the bench guy who played on 12 different teams.

I doubt he would even play next year. Now I'd bet Stern gets invovled and he plays again. Then he will get plenty of money on the motivational speech circuit after he retires from basketball or by being a spokes person for LGBT groups.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Again, I don't necessarily want to focus on the NBA player.  (The NHL is just foaming at the mouth waiting for it's first openly *** player by the way).  I didn't start the thread to only talk about ***/straight.  I want to include all minorities, or those who view themselves as minorities.</p>


 </p>


Jam you pointed to some hetero guys who never had to declare hetero status.  They just showed by their actions.  Why can't it be the same for *** players?  Why not just kiss your bf in front of everyone without having to say a word?</p>


 </p>


If you are a woman, and can do a job as good as, or even better than a man, then why not just do it?  Why do you have to make a stink about it?</p>


 </p>


If you are a black person that has the experience and education for a particular job, maybe even more than the white guy next to you, then why should there be laws mandating that a quota be filled?</p>


 </p>


Does this make any more sense about why I'm questioning certain vocal minorities?   Not saying anyone "has no right" to do anything.  Just wondering why more don't just lead by example per se and do what they do without continually feeling the need to broadcast it.</p>


 </p>


Rosa Parks didn't call the newspapers and tell them "I'm not moving to the back of the bus."  She just didn't go.</p>

 

[supraman]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Variable" data-cid="193275" data-time="1367370972">
<div>


I don't get how a celebration of heritage or  one born out of a struggle for equal rights (which hasn't happened yet) somehow means..... they're getting..... special rights. I don't know how people get to that conclusion.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Okay imagine what happens when white people get white history month and straight people get their own parades and day at disney. Do you think there will be some outcry? I'm thinking there would be some pissed off people. Ergo if you want equality take equality not special days and parades, all that shit.</p>

 

[TSD]

Jax, its because of the discrimination and intolerance that happens in sports. Male athletes are seen as manly and it is still the stereotype that "**** dont do manly things". So some guys feel the need to put it out there for young athletes that hey, I am this way and I made it and you dont have to hide who you are.



Jax do you really not understand that in many of these situations, these people try to hide who they are from everyone around them for fear of how they will react? Do strait people have to do that? I mean come on buddy use a little common sense. The guy isnt only doing it for only himself hes doing it for every kid out there, who is in a locker romm where people joke with eachother using *** slurs... hey you *** etc etc. and not knowing if its because they hate *** people and being afraid to be themselves.

 

[Variable]

Okay Supra well until you explain to *** people how they can finally "take equality" after decades of fighting for it and when that'll finally happen things like parades that which spread awareness and give a sense of community to those who otherwise in every other situation may feel like an outsider, it really shouldn't bother you.</p>

 

[TSD]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="193292" data-time="1367386130">


Okay imagine what happens when white people get white history month and straight people get their own parades and day at disney. Do you think there will be some outcry? I'm thinking there would be some pissed off people. Ergo if you want equality take equality not special days and parades, all that shit.</p></blockquote>there are "white history/white/groups etc etc" that are perfectly acceptable. I recieved an ethnic scholarship for college for being white my mom belongs to a white pride group that gets money.


Replace "white" with "slovak" and that is what it was. But really is it any different? Most white people know there roots and there are plenty of German, Irish, Polish blaa fuckin blaa celebrations etc etc. The big fuckin obvious is st. fuckin Patties. Which really is an Irish pride day, which = a pride day for white people. Now see below how many black americans actually know what fuckin african country/tribe whatever they are from? so what option do they have other than a Black pride parade etc.


How many fucking black people know where the **** they are from?! Really? What can they have other than black history? Or Black Pride? If they all fuckin knew where they came from im sure it would be Huutu pride or Zulu pride or the taste of sierra leone or some bullshit. I mean come on fellas look at the situation and use common sense.


Secondly im pretty sure if a bunch of dudes organized an I love pussy day no one would complain except christians yet again.


fact of the matter is strait people were never harassed, oppressed or murdered for being strait. So in my opinion they have a little right to go out in public say who they are and relish the fact no one hung them from a tree for it.

 

[Variable]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Super Douchiev" data-cid="193293" data-time="1367386333">
<div>


Jax, its because of the discrimination and intolerance that happens in sports. Male athletes are seen as manly and it is still the stereotype that "**** dont do manly things". So some guys feel the need to put it out there for young athletes that hey, I am this way and I made it and you dont have to hide who you are.



Jax do you really not understand that in many of these situations, these people try to hide who they are from everyone around them for fear of how they will react? Do strait people have to do that? I mean come on buddy use a little common sense. The guy isnt only doing it for only himself hes doing it for every kid out there, who is in a locker romm where people joke with eachother using *** slurs... hey you *** etc etc. and not knowing if its because they hate *** people and being afraid to be themselves.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


Yes. Thank you. It's that damn simple.</p>