To get better insight, I would like to know if you consider any of the following statements racist: 1. Black players make up the vast majority of the NBA. 2. White head coaches are the majority in the NBA. 3. White people buy the majority of the tickets in the NBA. 4. Black players dominate the rosters of NBA teams. 5. If blacks were to dominate the head coaching ranks, then seemingly all that is left for whites to do is buy tickets. If you consider any of the above racist, please explain why. This is not intended to start a debate as to whther or not your feeling are justified. It is more to gather an understanding. Thanks. ------------------
To those who are offended, Are you offended by the statement itself or are you offended in how the statement was made? I assume the statement is somewhat true because Brian is not one to throw out an actual figure unless it true. So are you offended that 80% of the tix and merchandise is bought by whites? If you are offended by how he said it, then it's on you. You made up or assumed the tone in which the statement was made. Brian didn't use any emotes. How do you know what emotion Brian was trying to get across with that statement? Jam, KBM, and TL all seemed to interpret that statement in different ways. TL and KBM took offense to it because it they have been victims of racism before. You guys assumed Brian was some angry bitter guy. You don't accept the statement for what it was: a counterpoint to an arguement. In debate, a topic is approached from both sides. It doesn't mean that Brian has to believe it, he just presented it. No one here is attacking the statement itself. You are just attacking Brian. So tell me, what are you seeing that no one else is? How is that you are able to tell what emotion Brian was getting across with that statement? Could it be that you 3 have completely taken this the wrong way and are unwilling to admit it? Why do you not accept the overwhelming support of Brian by those who do actually know the person? You are basically calling all of his friends liars. You are showing that you do not trust the words of those who have shown in the past that they are good people and deserved to be trusted and believed. You all know Jeff's personality. We all know how he feels on many subjects. Jeff is a caring and honest person who is always in support of those who need it. Yet you 3 are not willing to even accept his testimony in support of Brian. Seems to me that you 3 have your blinders on and are completely unwilling to accept the truth about Brian and where he was coming from. Sad. [This message has been edited by SpaceCity (edited May 24, 2001).]
I tried to mkae it clear that I wasn't attacking Brian. I thought I went out of my way to say that I don't know the guy. I do have an impression of his views and they are in contrast with mine. That's not a personal attack and I am most certainly not calling him or his friends liars. I am not refuting the "testimony in support of Brian". How can I? I don't know him (have I made that clear yet?) I have accepted the statement for what it was - a counterpoint. Hell, I even tried to debate the point TWICE(with no response). How is that not accepting it? You said no one is attacking the statement. What the heck was my fourth paragraph about? It's not a case of me wearing blinders when I'm simply saying I think the statement was inflammatory. I gave the guy credit and implied that WAS NOT his intention by saying he must care about people's opinions by responding(what a personal attack!). You say: "Brian didn't use any emotes. How do you know what emotion Brian was trying to get across with that statement?" That's precisely my point. I simply suggested he take more care in how he phrases things. Believe it or not, some of us don't and never will know the posters personally. Some of us will only know a persona on the board. Is it so wrong to suggest he be more cautious when writing out of respect for others? If he thinks my suggestion is out of line, he's a big boy and he can dismiss it (which he did). If I go see my friend, I can greet him with a "What's up B!tch". He knows me. He knows the joke behind it. If I walk down the street and acknowledge a passer-by with the same greeting there will be a confrontation. That was my point. I DON'T KNOW ANY OF YOU. MOST OF US DON'T KNOW ANY OF YOU. So just be a little more careful. Just because I am in disagreement with you/BK/etc doesn't mean I approve of personal insults. And I certainly didn't make one. Whatever...the thread is dead. Let's all go check out the Rockets 2K+1 forum. I hear Webber's a free agent this year. Maybe we can trade Cato, Walt and a draft pick for him!! ------------------ **
Due to popular demand, I am going to close this thread. I think we've all said our peace. Email me if you have any questions or further comments. Thanks again!
