Didn't he run up the court like he had a stick up his keester.

Juvenile little kids.

Sad that we've resorted to jokes about this. Obviously Amaechi was right about people not being able to handle it.

Who cares? He played all of 5 minutes in the NBA, why does he think anyone cares???

Posted by BlueSeats:

Posted by PresIke:

Sad that we've resorted to jokes about this. Obviously Amaechi was right about people not being able to handle it.

Lets just put a moratorium on humor until every living soul in this country feels really, really good about themselves.

But what then of the humorists who feel persecuted, shunned and oppressed?

Maybe it's worthwhile to consider whether someone who identifies themself as gay/lesbian/bi/transingendered would find this kind of humor funny and the fact that I suspect that there may be someone on this forum who is gay (I'd bet someone is)who might not feel comfortable enough to speak out against such humor here through publically identifying themselves as such and saying they find this offensive. In fact, Amaechi pretty much stated that this culture is one of the major reasons why in sports no one wants to identify themselves as such or speak out against homophobia.

Currently, "humorists" are not an oppressed group, nor do all humorists resort to jokes about sterotypical gay behavior. More interestingly is that jokes about homosexuality coming from straight people (often men) are still FAR more accepted than jokes about race/ethnicity, particularly at the expense of oppressed ethnic/racial groups. When Michael Richards went on his tirade, was the criticism of him just about being "politically correct?" Ask some black people if they felt that way. Or does their say mean nothing as long as some white people can have a laugh? Why do we even find humor about homosexuality funny in the first place? Which is why in the end it isn't always about what is said, often it is about WHO is saying it. The same argument you put forth to defend "humor" at the expense of groups that have less power in society has been made by those in the past who felt it was ok to use blackface/minstrel shows at the expense of blacks in America.

[Edited by - PresIke on 02-08-2007 08:17 AM]

i love how the ny media taged the story as "A former NY Knicks Player..." He was on the team for team all of what..one day? the dramatics never end. This story is so unworthy of being a headline to me.

John Amaechi was one of the smarter players that took advantage of his education and won man honors for his charity work. This is a well rounded dude and one of the good guys.

why does it matter that he came out and wrote a book? I think he is trying to further society and make it more tolerant. Professional athletes are about the dumbest sector of rich men on the planet. Being super wealthy does not make you any smarter. In general of course, what group of super wealthy people make this kind of money not using their heads?

I would have to say it will be interesting to read what a european gay mans take is on this. Maybe this is why he can do this.

He is the first Pro Basketball player to do this! This ain't Jackie Robinson or anything close to it, but its a landmark of some sort.

And Gay humor is mainstream. TV show "Will and Grace" is all about it. Just cuz we laugh don't mean we hate.

And the reason I come here is to act 12 years old again!!!!!

Posted by PresIke:

Posted by BlueSeats:

Posted by PresIke:

Sad that we've resorted to jokes about this. Obviously Amaechi was right about people not being able to handle it.

Lets just put a moratorium on humor until every living soul in this country feels really, really good about themselves.

But what then of the humorists who feel persecuted, shunned and oppressed?

Maybe it's worthwhile to consider whether someone who identifies themself as gay/lesbian/bi/transingendered would find this kind of humor funny and the fact that I suspect that there may be someone on this forum who is gay (I'd bet someone is)who might not feel comfortable enough to speak out against such humor here through publically identifying themselves as such and saying they find this offensive. In fact, Amaechi pretty much stated that this culture is one of the major reasons why in sports no one wants to identify themselves as such or speak out against homophobia.

Currently, "humorists" are not an oppressed group, nor do all humorists resort to jokes about sterotypical gay behavior. More interestingly is that jokes about homosexuality coming from straight people (often men) are still FAR more accepted than jokes about race/ethnicity, particularly at the expense of oppressed ethnic/racial groups. When Michael Richards went on his tirade, was the criticism of him just about being "politically correct?" Ask some black people if they felt that way. Or does their say mean nothing as long as some white people can have a laugh? Why do we even find humor about homosexuality funny in the first place? Which is why in the end it isn't always about what is said, often it is about WHO is saying it. The same argument you put forth to defend "humor" at the expense of groups that have less power in society has been made by those in the past who felt it was ok to use blackface/minstrel shows at the expense of blacks in America.

[Edited by - PresIke on 02-08-2007 08:17 AM]

That's very eloquent and all, and if your original statement was that you, or some, may find the humor hurtful, we would not be in disagreement. But your argument is that those who kid "can't handle it," which is absurd.

Would you prefer if the comments were sincere, but un-humored? Perhaps along the lines of "that's disgusting," or "they should lock those types up?" Because that's what I consider "not being able to handle it."

I happen to be proud to call myself a liberal, and I live in a very progressive and "mixed" family and neighborhood - be it economically, racially, sexually, what have you. That was my CHOOSING, and that's how I've chosen to raise my child. I think I'm more than capable of "handling" Amechi's book and admission. In fact I encourage and welcome it, and I respect him for doing so knowing the ribbing he will take.

But go ahead and sermonize and trudge thru the day under some puritanical dark cloud of despair for fear that someone might misconstrue one's intentions and feel mortally wounded. Down with "fat" jokes, no more calling athletes "pussies", Nate can't be called "special" or "crazy", no more calling Dolan or Isiah "fools", no more pictures of transvestites or "fruity" drinks. People could get hurt.

Every day can be a day of mourning, because this board, like life, is to mark the sanctity our pain.


[Edited by - BlueSeats on 02-08-2007 10:21 AM]

Posted by kam77:

BlueSeats -- How would you feel if there were posts making fun of you, or your friends, or your ethinic group etc? hey it's only humor to lighten the blandness of the day.

Think about if you read those posts above and you were gay and were in the closet about it. Would those 'humorful' quotes make you laugh or smile? Would they encourage you to come out of the closet?

You know how that old saying goes: If you have nothing nice to say... say nothing at all.

Happens all the time, you just don't hear me sniveling about it.

So AMAechi is gay?

So what? I guess its a big deal when sports figures come out, but who cares?

Clinton got some hed in the white house and everyone flipped. Real people are like, well she was a nasty bitch anyway. She kept the cum stained dress. Clinton said he didn't have sexual relations, then he said define sexual relations, lol. What's a little hed on the side? Lol.

Anyway point being, how many gay mofos do you see kiss in public in front of old people and children nowadays? COUNTLESS TIMES!!!

Me I don't agree with the life style either way, man or woman but if two people that live on the planet I live on and want to do that, and are not hurting anyone? You gotta respect them.