Thank you for summing up exactly why I used the word MIXED. I do think that if you're going to do something like this, you should be more active about it and not just be one and done with the book. I believe it takes away from the significance of coming out as a professional athlete if your focus is making money. I don't see why this is a ridiculous opinion. And yes, I do criticize other ex-players for making money off their books when all they're interested in is a few extra bucks. I think it's lame. Writers should focus on putting together something meaningful, something that has an actual message. I guess I'm just of the opinion that you should actually be proud of your work, and if you can't be, then don't do it. I am not a fan of taking actions which are strictly greed-motivated. If you don't agree with that opinion, then I really do not care.
I don't know about Sloan, but blaming the lack of playing time on homophobia is pretty weak. He was on the bench because he sucked.
I thought that was funny too. He sucked. He was so fat he had boobs and he didn't much care for basketball. Hmm. I wonder why he couldn't get off the bench?
And what makes you think that all Amaechi is interested in is a few extra bucks? Obviously, we shouldn't expect him to do all of this free of charge. That he's accepting money for his work doesn't erase the potential social value of it.
Agreed. I'm about to order the book off Amazon. It's not always what you think but how you think that makes you interesting, and I think Amaechi may be an example. Can't wait to read it.
Be careful. If you follow the words to closely, it just might turn you gay. The gays have that power, you know.
And Greg Ostertag. I don't get why so many people are in a huffy about the guy being bitter. Of course there's some bitterness there....he never got to play, he got called a c**t, he wasn't as good as he hoped he was. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked John Amechi if he thought he would have played if he was better, regardless of team, coach, or his sexual orientation, he'd say yes. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't be bitter. Nor does it mean that Jerry Sloan isn't an ass, or the statements aren't based in truth. The excerpts were very interesting read, imo.
No this really isn't fair because you are functionally defining how and when a person should come out and that announcing that one is gay is ok only under certain conditions. The concept of closeting one's sexuality is horrendous and dehumanizing and to sit here and qualify how one should do that is nonsensical. Yes, I'm sure he's genuine and serious about it but what I find disturbing is the fact that you didn't give him the benefit of the doubt. I realize a lot of athletes are spoiled and selfish but this is a damn serious issue to come out on and I think you fail to realize how significant it is just to come out of the closet. Second, even if it is for the money, so what? The book in and of itself means little as most have said. He's one athlete and that too he wasn't a very good NBA player. The important issue is the fact that a dialogue and discourse have risen about homosexuality and its relation to sports. Quit blaming the players. If dumbasses keep buying their awful books, then they damn well should keep writing. Hell if people would buy a book that I wrote then I sure as hell would write one. Look literary integrity and honesty are important and no one likes greed, but it's a reality and it's foolish to blame the players. Blame the stupid consumer who keeps buying their wretched material. If you don't like it, don't buy their books and don't read any excerpts but stay away from questioning motives. The former (refusing to buy books) is a personal action of individual agency, the later (questioning Amaechi's motive) is a broad sweeping criticism of an athlete that just isn't fair because you don't know the guy, the circumstances around the book, and the difficulty (or ease) of Amaechi's announcing that he is gay. To sum all this nonsense above, just give him the benefit of the doubt. Coming out is a big deal and we should respect that.
Damn it all, I said MIXED THOUGHTS for a reason when I made this thread. Apparently no one understands what this means. To simplify it for you, it means I am not sure whether or not I fully support his method of coming out. Why are people jumping on my a$$ and assuming I am taking a die-hard stance one way or the other. It's highly annoying. Everyone clamors for a sensible thought process on this board, and when you get someone that is willing to reserve judgement until the cards have all been played, you don't let him.
Fair enough, just qualify it better next time. You said you had mixed thoughts but the majority of your post was a criticism of the money-grabbing nature of book deals and less on the impact of coming out of the closet and the highly personal impact that decision has.
Sorry. My only point here is that I think he has every right to write this book, and I think its unfair to criticize him as only doing it for the money. Im not calling him a hero, but at the same time theres no reason for anyone to look at him negatively for wanting to put out this book.
