Josh Howard, a very good NBA player for the Dallas Mavericks, has caught some shit recently because he openly admitted to smoking weed. This is supposed to be a scandal or something. Then recently, this happened. Basically he was "caught" on tape saying something to the effect that he doesn't celebrate the national anthem because he's black, and then seemed to make a disparaging remark about Obama (not sure about that part, it might have actually been a pro-Obama comment, where his support for Obama came from anger).
I don't intend to follow this story closely or anything, but it is pretty typical of what a fucked up retarded place America is. Drinking is perfectly fine but smoking a joint is some major transgression. The realities of racism and the disadvantages black people have always faced in America are undeniable, but when a black man actually acknowledges this in front of a camera, he's "running his mouth" or something.
I've often thought that a high-profile athlete could be a great advocate for important political issues, since they have the attention and respect of so many young people. Of course they're all millionaires with endorsement deals from corporations, and they benefit hugely from the existing social structures, so it is hard to expect them to do much to meaningfully change things. Sure they'll give money to charitable causes and take field trips to Africa to see the poverty, but they never address the structural characteristics that cause the poverty. You never hear Michael Jordan speak out on political issues do you? He's making too much money from sweatshop-manufactured apparel to worry about that stuff.
So, I'd love to see Josh Howard stand up and defend his lack of patriotism. Why should a black man celebrate the national anthem? Fuck the national anthem! Fuck Obama! Say it again, Josh. Why should the government have the right to tell me what I'm not allowed to smoke? Why would I celebrate a government that does that? But, he'll be under pressure to just say the politically expedient lies and hope people forget about the rare glimmer of truth that crept out.
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I saw this "story" on CNN this morning! CNN actually opened up a phone and internet poll asking viewers if they thought the NBA should take action against Howard for his comments---an overwhelming majority of viewers (71% or so, I think) actually voted "yes" for that question! How ridiculous is America that the majority of us is willing to punish someone for expressing personal thoughts/feelings. CNN made the point that Howard probably couldn't earn millions of dollars playing basketball in other countries so maybe he should be grateful that he is an American and we permit him to play here. How ridiculous! Is that the deal we're willing to make in the world? You can come here and earn money as long as you're willing to sacrifice certain "unalienable rights?"
I agree with you, Adam---absolutely fucking ridiculous.
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