Hibbert Fined 75K For Remarks

[AbeBeta]

So if some minority folks started making insulting comments towards white people, that would be ok because white folks arn't generally targets for discrimination?

That's hardly the same as "let's get offended by people using the phrase hetero" -- you know that and know you are on the wrong end of history with your outdated views.

 

[AbeBeta]

Like i said, people like that are definitely part of the problem we have in this country. Too many people looking for any little thing to overreact to, even when they don't even understand what was being said in the first place.

Too many people are looking to overreact? Actually, the real problem is that too many people accept statements like this as "awww, shucks, he's just joking around" without understanding that having to immediately distance yourself from gay folks isn't in itself suggesting that there is something wrong with homosexuality. In a nation where gay folks cannot do many things that straight people can, we certainly haven't come far enough that statements like that don't do damage.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Too many people are looking to overreact? Actually, the real problem is that too many people accept statements like this as "awww, shucks, he's just joking around" without understanding that having to immediately distance yourself from gay folks isn't in itself suggesting that there is something wrong with homosexuality. In a nation where gay folks cannot do many things that straight people can, we certainly haven't come far enough that statements like that don't do damage.

The only way statements like that do damage is when people such as yourself overreact to them. I wouldn't get mad if someone called me "whitey" or "cracka" or "hetero" or "nerd" or whatever. There was clearly no underlying insult intended here.. and i honestly wouldn't be suprised if there were a couple homosexuals looking at this thread right now laughing at you for acting the way you are about it. Seriously, i mean it took like 10 posts before you even understood what the guy even said. Your first few statements were just as ignorant, if not moreso, than what you think of Hibbert's statements.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Too many people are looking to overreact? Actually, the real problem is that too many people accept statements like this as "awww, shucks, he's just joking around" without understanding that having to immediately distance yourself from gay folks isn't in itself suggesting that there is something wrong with homosexuality. In a nation where gay folks cannot do many things that straight people can, we certainly haven't come far enough that statements like that don't do damage.

BTW.. what are all these things that gay folks can't do in this nation?

 

[Idgit]

Too many people are looking to overreact? Actually, the real problem is that too many people accept statements like this as "awww, shucks, he's just joking around" without understanding that having to immediately distance yourself from gay folks isn't in itself suggesting that there is something wrong with homosexuality. In a nation where gay folks cannot do many things that straight people can, we certainly haven't come far enough that statements like that don't do damage.

I really don't think any 'distancing' is necessarily required. From my experience, the phrase really is used to distinguish that a phrase that might have more than one interpretation--one of them having a sexual connotation--was not intended to have a homosexual connotation. I've not heard it used as an insult.

From my experience, it really is a thing one guy might say to another guy to keep from getting razzed for phrasing something carelessly. I've never considered there to be anything homophobic about it, and I don't think most people would in that context.

That said, as I said above, it's a really dumb thing to say on national tv, precisely because it's open to interpretation or misinterpretation. And he likely distanced himself from the comment because of the fine and because the league probably strongly suggested he do so.

That's reason enough. Absent information to the contrary, I'd take the guy at his word that he was being thoughtless, but wasn't necessarily trying to be offensive.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

BTW.. what are all these things that gay folks can't do in this nation?

have their marrige recognized in all 50 states......

which encompasses all more than you seem to be aware of.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

The only way statements like that do damage is when people such as yourself overreact to them.

who are you to say what should offend someone? as an african american I'm personally not offended by the most common slur used to insult my race, but I also did not live in a time where the word was used to constantly insult and degrade me, so it's not my place to tell someone it's okay to use it.

unless you are a homosexual, you really have no place to say what should and shouldn't be offensive to them, and that it's okay to use words certain words/phrases because there are bigger issues out there.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

That's your assumption. All he said was that he was not a homosexual. If your opinion is that homosexuality is a bad thing, that's more a personal issue for you, imo.

It's not his assumption and to act as though it is, is niave at it's best and disingenuous at it's worst.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

have their marrige recognized in all 50 states......

which encompasses all more than you seem to be aware of.

So one thing they can't do.. in some states.

Wow.. what a plight.

 

[Idgit]

Let's not let this thread devolve into a debate about the relative civil liberties of homosexual Americans. There are nothing but political comments over there. Try to stay on the topic of Hibbert's comments and the reaction from the NBA.

 

[AbeBeta]

I really don't think any 'distancing' is necessarily required. From my experience, the phrase really is used to distinguish that a phrase that might have more than one interpretation--one of them having a sexual connotation--was not intended to have a homosexual connotation. I've not heard it used as an insult.

From my experience, it really is a thing one guy might say to another guy to keep from getting razzed for phrasing something carelessly. I've never considered there to be anything homophobic about it, and I don't think most people would in that context.

That said, as I said above, it's a really dumb thing to say on national tv, precisely because it's open to interpretation or misinterpretation. And he likely distanced himself from the comment because of the fine and because the league probably strongly suggested he do so.

That's reason enough. Absent information to the contrary, I'd take the guy at his word that he was being thoughtless, but wasn't necessarily trying to be offensive.

Idgit -- let me ask you this -- if someone talked about one of our players -- say Demarcus Ware and went on and on about hit and closed it by saying "I'm no homo, but I love Ware" -- would that be appropriate? I'm pretty sure that post would be flagged and deleted.

One your "getting razzed" angle -- so you wouldn't want someone to think you are gay or even kid you about it? Doesn't that equate to distancing or negativity?

Whether he was thoughtless or not is not the issue. The phrase is offensive to many despite the intention behind it. You can't simply excuse people from saying things that are offense because they didn't mean to. Being sensitive to what the words that come out of your mouth mean to others is just as important as intention.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Idgit -- let me ask you this -- if someone talked about one of our players -- say Demarcus Ware and went on and on about hit and closed it by saying "I'm no homo, but I love Ware" -- would that be appropriate? I'm pretty sure that post would be flagged and deleted.

One your "getting razzed" angle -- so you wouldn't want someone to think you are gay or even kid you about it? Doesn't that equate to distancing or negativity?

Whether he was thoughtless or not is not the issue. The phrase is offensive to many despite the intention behind it. You can't simply excuse people from saying things that are offense because they didn't mean to. Being sensitive to what the words that come out of your mouth mean to others is just as important as intention.

Is it really, though? How can you quantify this?

 

[Idgit]

Idgit -- let me ask you this -- if someone talked about one of our players -- say Demarcus Ware and went on and on about hit and closed it by saying "I'm no homo, but I love Ware" -- would that be appropriate? I'm pretty sure that post would be flagged and deleted.

One your "getting razzed" angle -- so you wouldn't want someone to think you are gay or even kid you about it? Doesn't that equate to distancing or negativity?

Whether he was thoughtless or not is not the issue. The phrase is offensive to many despite the intention behind it. You can't simply excuse people from saying things that are offense because they didn't mean to. Being sensitive to what the words that come out of your mouth mean to others is just as important as intention.

It's definitely not appropriate. And we'd delete such a comment (I would) just because of the potential for misinterpretation alone.

I'm kind of of two minds on this topic, because I get what you're saying. It's kind of the equivalent of a 'that's what she said' 'joke'. Is it misogynistic? Kind of. It's not really aimed at the 'she' it's more of a commentary on the double entendre. At the same time, it's got an overt sexual connotation that some people will definitely be offended by. So, should it be said? No. Is it offensive? By definition, if some are offended by it, it's offensive. Was it meant to be an insult to a group of people? Probably not.

Do we want to live in a society where these sorts of jokes can be made in public? It all comes down to the intent of the speaker. These comments can be made with and without malice. And it's the malice that, all of us, I hope, have a problem with. The hard part is sorting the one from the other. Personally, I like things to be restricted as little as possible, but I understand the other side of that pancake, too.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

He called nobody a homo. He was rambling on about his love for fellow teammate Paul George and then said "no homo" afterwards as a joke.

which implies of course if he loved him that way, it would be wrong

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

That's your assumption. All he said was that he was not a homosexual. If your opinion is that homosexuality is a bad thing, that's more a personal issue for you, imo.

if Hibbert didn't think being homosexual was bad, why would he have a need to say he wasn't one?

 

[RoyTheHammer]

if Hibbert didn't think being homosexual was bad, why would he have a need to say he wasn't one?

Sigh..

Its kind of silly to analyze jokes this way, as i have yet to see someone try to break down a "your momma" joke like some of you are trying to do to this one, but why couldn't he have just been saying "though i have alot of love for my teammate, and i may have said a few things that could have been taken in a sexual innuendo type of way, i am not attracted to him like that." Does that mean he was saying, "if you're attracted to another man in a sexual way.. you're a bad person?"

No.. but like i said already, breaking down a joke in this fashion is just kind of ridiculous in the first place.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Sigh..

Its kind of silly to analyze jokes this way, as i have yet to see someone try to break down a "your momma" joke like some of you are trying to do to this one, but why couldn't he have just been saying "though i have alot of love for my teammate, and i may have said a few things that could have been taken in a sexual innuendo type of way, i am not attracted to him like that." Does that mean he was saying, "if you're attracted to another man in a sexual way.. you're a bad person?"

No.. but like i said already, breaking down a joke in this fashion is just kind of ridiculous in the first place.

Please, you aren't stupid so why write the above noted post. It was a put down or at best, him telling the world he isn't gay, why tell the world that unless you are afraid people will think you because it is not as good as being straight?

Was it worth $75,000? That is another issue but don't make out like it wasn't a put down of gay men or some kind of homophobic slur.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Please, you aren't stupid so why write the above noted post. It was a put down or at best, him telling the world he isn't gay, why tell the world that unless you are afraid people will think you because it is not as good as being straight?

Was it worth $75,000? That is another issue but don't make out like it wasn't a put down of gay men or some kind of homophobic slur.

Now, when you say, "your momma is so fat she would kill a man if she sat on his head.."

Why is it that you choose to say "your momma"? My mother is in fact, not fat at all, so i don't understand why you would insult her like that.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

And Hetero has been used historically in a derogative manner? Has hetero been used for years as an insult to a person's manhood?

My point was he didn't use it in a derogatory manner.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

My point was he didn't use it in a derogatory manner.

Im still not sure where the history lesson factors in to this little debate. If you're trying to insult someone, you're trying to insult someone. If you aren't, you aren't. Its not as complicated or dramatic as some want to make it.

If i was speaking with a couple females i met at the bar who were gay and they said, "Wow, you seem like a really great guy, we'd love to hangout with you sometime.." and then threw in there, "No hetero" and giggled amongst themselves.. should i be offended by that?