Since I wrote "Talking Tolerance, Achieving Equality and Why It's In To Be Out" the John Amaechi portion of the article has grown. John wrote a book, Man In The Middle" about his life and being a gay man playing in NBA. The book seems to have opened up more than the door to Amaechi's closet.
Tim Hardaway has his say.
Hardaway a former NBA star player spoke harshly saying "I hate gays." He expounded on his viewpoint with "First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team.” He added "And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, I don't think that is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room.” Hardaway assured that if he were still playing and found out a fellow player were gay, he would ask the man be removed for the team. With these words, the so-called macho man world of basketball seemed to be turned on its ear. What followed is a lesson in fear and ambivalence.
The closet door swings both ways.
David Stern the commissioner of the NBA issued his own declaration, "We removed him from representing us because we didn't think his comments were consistent with having anything to do with us." The commissioner went on to say, “This is an issue overall that has fascinated America. It's not an NBA issue,” and “This is a country that needs to talk about this issue…And, not surprisingly, they use sports as a catalyst to begin the dialogue.”
John Amaechi, now propelled into the role of gay NBA spokesman, went on to contribute his own mismatched statements. In one, he commended Tim Hardaway publicly for his honesty. In addressing the subject Amaechi asserted that it was good that the man had expressed what he felt were the true feelings of most straight NBA players. When I first heard this, I thought this guy is really a class act. Next, he goes on to praise David Stern for taking action against Hardaway. Now, I have to rethink my opinion.
The Fallout has just begun.
With spin control in full swing, Tim Hardaway has apologized for his statements through his agent. His actions are reminiscent of TV's Grey Anatomy cast gay comment soap opera with Isaiah Washington. The actor eventually went into some sort of rehab over his own anti-gay remarks. As of February 17, 2007, Tim Hardaway.com comes up with a denied access page on the web. Stern has spoken about a gay symposium for rookie orientation, but denied it was a league wide issue. Amaechi adds he did not need Tim Hardaway's comments to confirm what he already knew.
Calling everyone on the carpet, including myself.
David Stern's words and action were a matter of face saving spin control born out of ignorance. The ignorance exists in the non-spoken denial that there is a problem with acceptance of gay's in any professional sport locker room. The fact that he gives the appearance only rookies have to be schooled in tolerance is absurd. If the sport is going to have a "gay acceptance program" instituted it has to be a league wide matter. While Hardaway spoke many former and current players were silently doing the bobblehead thing in agreement. If anyone thinks otherwise they are only fooling themselves.
Next up at the foul line.
Mr. Amaechi, when I first read about your coming out comments and heard them on ESPN's Outside The Lines, I thought your coming out was about selling books. I went to your site, meech.org and saw your promotional material and I came to believe it was much more. The proceeds of your book are for you charity organization in Manchester, England. If you did not out yourself, someone else would have in a destructive manner to what you are trying accomplish. We have seen this type of bigotry in play so many times. I am more than annoyed that you appear to be playing both sides of the line with Tim Hardaway's comments. If you commend his honesty, how can you condone his punishment? Before I heard your words of support for Commissioner Stern's action, I thought more of you. I thought you would support your own statements of Hardaway being a man in expressing his mind by reaching out and not seeking retribution. In the end, doesn't retribution promote intolerance? You are the one who is quoted as saying we have to continue the conversation. Maybe you should reach out and continue that conversation with Tim Hardaway.
The man who committed the technical foul
Tim Hardaway, you spoke your mind. You backtracked and still paid the price. You lost face when you backtracked. Now, it is time to be realistic. You meant what you said at the time you said it. The quality and quantity of your words bear that out. It is funny but Archie Bunker's and George Jefferson's words never got their shows canceled. Why, because they faced their words and eventually saw their ignorance. I do not for one second condone the words you spoke. I will give you the credit for stating your beliefs while others speak in soft voices and lowered heads. You are the fall guy here. More aptly it appears you are inadvertently serving as David Stern's beard in this matter.
