OT Charles Barkley wants NBA to pull 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte

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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.
Reminds me of this:
I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.
But in reverse.
 
Is this the law that makes it against the law for me to go to the women's restroom to take a dump?
 
Tried to read the fucking link but a big ad popped up
 
Tried to read the fucking link but a big ad popped up

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
 
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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
I'm a cynic and guessing Chuck knows someone close to him that's gay.
 
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.
 
I'm a cynic and guessing Chuck knows someone close to him that's gay.

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
 
Damn, here I'm thinking this might be Portland's way to finally get an allstar game.
 
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.

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
 
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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.

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
 
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.
 
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
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.
 
I identify as a Trail Blazer so I demand to pee only in the the Blazer's locker room.
 
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.
 
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.

It often takes a personal stake in the game to motivate some people to activism. Why someone becomes an advocate for a worthy cause isn't as important as the fact that they are an advocate.

Charles Barkley can reach a lot more people than I can. So, thanks Chuck for doing your part. I don't care why you did it, but you did. So, thanks.

BNM
 
(Somewhere at the NBA league office.)

'Well. Mr. Silver looks like we must make the necessary changes to the all star game in 2017. This is just not morally right and fans will rightfully condemn us for not pulling out of Charlotte. But where should we move it too?"

"Well. What about Portland as an alternative?"

Long silence.....

(.....howls of laughter.)

"OMG. That's the best one I've ever heard..... Ummm....... can someone get Pyongyang on the line. We NEED a realistic change of venues here! Har Har Har!"
 
Yet the NBA makes billions from China and a majority of the players have been going over there for appearances each off-season. The laws there are much more discriminating and very open about it. If the NBA stands up and makes a change, the message may appear sincere, but I doubt it truly is.

It is a slippery slope. Is it necessary to only advocate when it is convenient or should it be done across the board? If it is done across the board, too much money will be lost.
 
It often takes a personal stake in the game to motivate some people to activism. Why someone becomes an advocate for a worthy cause isn't as important as the fact that they are an advocate.

Charles Barkley can reach a lot more people than I can. So, thanks Chuck for doing your part. I don't care why you did it, but you did. So, thanks.

BNM

Chuck's always been pretty liberal anyway; he might be doing this regardless.
 
Yet the NBA makes billions from China and a majority of the players have been going over there for appearances each off-season. The laws there are much more discriminating and very open about it. If the NBA stands up and makes a change, the message may appear sincere, but I doubt it truly is.

It is a slippery slope. Is it necessary to only advocate when it is convenient or should it be done across the board? If it is done across the board, too much money will be lost.

Change begins at home. Everyone is a hypocrite. Perfect is the enemy of good.
 
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

Should a transgender genetic male with a penis have a right to use a female restroom? Should a genetic female have the right to use a restroom free of any male genitalia? You can't have both. Sometimes rights come into conflict (as in my example). In those cases, corporations and leagues should stay out of the politics.

Should gay people be allowed to form a union like a marriage? IMHO, sure. (this is much closer to your Red example) But, there are many places they can get married. My problem is with corporations or people with a bully pulpit trying force a state to impose fines upon churches or the like to conform to the corporation's opinion of what is right.

With racism, there is no countervailing constitutional right that should allow it. Racism is wrong--going any direction.

Religious freedom and the GLBT[keep adding letters] movement have countervailing beliefs. Religious freedom is guaranteed expressly in the Constitution. It gets more complicated here, which is why states should be free to address it how they wish within the bounds of the Constitution--and without interference from Elitist leagues or "thinkers". As in my bathroom example we have here conflicting rights.
 
LITERALLY EVERYONE ON THIS FORUM KNOWS AT LEAST ONE GAY PERSON JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.
I'm not sure how long it's been since I directly interacted with someone whom I know is openly gay. Certainly don't avoid gay people, but I just don't really know any. I don't know of any at work, I don't know of any at church, don't have any in my family. My neighbors a couple houses down might be gay, but I don't talk to my neighbors, so I don't really know. Closest I know of is that a couple of my church friends have gay daughters, but I haven't seen any of them in several months.

Honestly, Kingspeed is the only gay person I've had any interaction with in probably the past 5 years. I guess that makes me weird.
 

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