Roy Hibbert apologizes for post-game gay slur

[Rondo2287]

Not sure that I consider "no homo" to be a gay slur to be honest.  It's not smart to say during a press conference but its not really a slur.

You've never heard of gay people being called "homos"?  It's a pretty old slur.  I agree it's a pretty tame instance, and I'm not sure how much we'd've even heard about it if Hibbert hadn't gone out of his way to apologize, but since he seems to feel bad about it good on him for taking the initiative.

Of course I've heard gay people be called homo's.  If Roy had called the media homo's instead of what he did call them that would be a gay slur.  Instead she just used a slang phrase which as somebody else said is about as harmful as, "that's what she said,"

That was me, and I wasn't equating them, though I don't see either one as "harmful". 

But of course terms can be slurs even if they're not being used to refer to specific people.  I'm pretty sure this wouldn't be an argument if Hibbert had said "no f****t" in the same context.  Only real difference is the strength of the slur.

If he said "no n-word" that wouldn't be good either, but thankfully he didn't say either of those things.  He said something that if it was said on SNL people would laugh, but this was not the appropriate venue.  Not a slur, apology was smart because of the poor choice of timing/venue

If that were said on SNL 20 years ago, maybe, but that wouldn't he found very today.  Most of the laughter would be uncomfortable.

I think you are in the vast minority if you think that.  Thankfully so.  The fake outrage that emits from things like this is truly astounding nowadays.   If he used an actual slur I would be one of the first people lining up to tell him to apologize.  Thankfully he didnt .

Fake outrage?  Seriously, go find a gay person and call him a "homo".  Ask him (or her) if he would like to continued to be called that.  Better yet, go by yourself and find a group of people and call them "homos".

I didn't want to debate the word because I understand some people don't think it's a slur, but it is.  But you've missed the entire point, because you don't want to listen, probably because it's easier for you.  But go find a gay bar, stroll up to someone, and call him a homo, and see.  Then tell me that it's "fake outrage" that this word was used.

Can you direct me to the quote where he called somebody a homo?

[Rondo2287]

Reading this type of stuff makes me think only one thing:

"Hah. Series tied at 3 apiece. Love it."

In other words: this type of stuff really shouldn't be worth anyone's time. Whatever happened to sticks 'n stones.

Just part of the wussification of America. It's a cultural issue overall that reaches into schools and corporate america as the millennials are entering the workplace.

Not just in America. In any country, when there's a spotlight on someone, words are suddenly taken out of context - which is pretty much what "wussification" is all about: taking a word and saying - Hey, that applies to me! (Even though the target was someone else, and the word used was used in a different context.)

Ps.: I amended my earlier statement with something along the lines of what you said.

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

In my opinion I think the people that would get offended by this type of comment are either too sensitive or just looking for attention.

[CelticsFan9]

This thread has gotten a little bit out of control.

Good for Hibbert that he apologized.  Time to move on to G7.

[saltlover]

Reading this type of stuff makes me think only one thing:

"Hah. Series tied at 3 apiece. Love it."

In other words: this type of stuff really shouldn't be worth anyone's time. Whatever happened to sticks 'n stones.

Just part of the wussification of America. It's a cultural issue overall that reaches into schools and corporate america as the millennials are entering the workplace.

Not just in America. In any country, when there's a spotlight on someone, words are suddenly taken out of context - which is pretty much what "wussification" is all about: taking a word and saying - Hey, that applies to me! (Even though the target was someone else, and the word used was used in a different context.)

Ps.: I amended my earlier statement with something along the lines of what you said.

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

In my opinion I think the people that would get offended by this type of comment are either too sensitive or just looking for attention.

It's not up to you whether or not someone else gets offended.  If you say something, and someone else is offended, it should be up on you, as a member of society, to figure out why that person was offended.

Gay people are offended by the word "homo."  This is a fact.  It is used as a slur against them, by people who pretend they're just describing "homosexual" in a shorter word.  Not much different from how the "N-word" is from the word for "black" in other languages.  I've been called that word myself, and I assure you, it was not meant in a friendly manner.

So yes, that word is a slur.  Now, why else do gay people take offense to what Hibbert said?  It's because he used it in a way that says being gay is something to be embarrassed about.  Makes sense they would take offense to that.  He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".  Makes sense that they take offense to that too.

Seriously, it was offensive.  Now, if Roy Hibbert didn't think about what he was saying, and no one had ever told him why that might be offensive, I can easily agree his apology could be sincere, and that he didn't mean to hurt anyone.  Totally fair.  But to ignore what he said, and minimize the legitimate reactions that people may feel, is frankly just as offensive as what Hibbert said.  So I ask you, politely, as a fellow member of the Celticsblog community, to actually take some time reflect on what I've been saying about why it's offensive, as to merely playing it off as a joke that he shouldn't have said in public.  You obviously care about this issue, so I hope you will.

Tbanks.

[Kiorrik]

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

I disagree with you, but I'm not using the argument to silence you. I'm using it to explain why I don't take offense to a lot of jokes about my nationality. Or jokes about how much of a nerd I am. I used to be the butt of every joke back in school - I just turned that into my strength. I'm the one making the jokes now. Even when I turn a conversation into something awkward (which happens a lot because I'm not too good at small-talk), I'll make sure I end up diffusing the situation with a quip.

I'm not saying that everything should be laughed at. I'm not condoning racism, discrimination and the like. I'm just saying that in some cases, we shouldn't take certain words out of context.

And I do realize that, at least in the media and today's society, that's not the popular opinion.

To suggest that this opinion is a cop-out, to me, is not a great argument against it.

[Rondo2287]

Reading this type of stuff makes me think only one thing:

"Hah. Series tied at 3 apiece. Love it."

In other words: this type of stuff really shouldn't be worth anyone's time. Whatever happened to sticks 'n stones.

Just part of the wussification of America. It's a cultural issue overall that reaches into schools and corporate america as the millennials are entering the workplace.

Not just in America. In any country, when there's a spotlight on someone, words are suddenly taken out of context - which is pretty much what "wussification" is all about: taking a word and saying - Hey, that applies to me! (Even though the target was someone else, and the word used was used in a different context.)

Ps.: I amended my earlier statement with something along the lines of what you said.

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

In my opinion I think the people that would get offended by this type of comment are either too sensitive or just looking for attention.

It's not up to you whether or not someone else gets offended.  If you say something, and someone else is offended, it should be up on you, as a member of society, to figure out why that person was offended.

Gay people are offended by the word "homo."  This is a fact.  It is used as a slur against them, by people who pretend they're just describing "homosexual" in a shorter word.  Not much different from how the "N-word" is from the word for "black" in other languages.  I've been called that word myself, and I assure you, it was not meant in a friendly manner.

So yes, that word is a slur.  Now, why else do gay people take offense to what Hibbert said?  It's because he used it in a way that says being gay is something to be embarrassed about.  Makes sense they would take offense to that.  He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".  Makes sense that they take offense to that too.

Seriously, it was offensive.  Now, if Roy Hibbert didn't think about what he was saying, and no one had ever told him why that might be offensive, I can easily agree his apology could be sincere, and that he didn't mean to hurt anyone.  Totally fair.  But to ignore what he said, and minimize the legitimate reactions that people may feel, is frankly just as offensive as what Hibbert said.  So I ask you, politely, as a fellow member of the Celticsblog community, to actually take some time reflect on what I've been saying about why it's offensive, as to merely playing it off as a joke that he shouldn't have said in public.  You obviously care about this issue, so I hope you will.

Tbanks.

I think we just have to agree to disagree, I think if people are offended by this they need to toughen up.  It was clearly inappropriate but not offensive, there is a difference but now being offended and playing the victim is the cool thing to do.  This was clearly not meant to hurt anybody yet people that were probably already unhappy decided to latch on to this as a way to distract themselves from already being unhappy. 

Everybody has things said to them that are mean or offensive in their lives and it stinks but there is no need to go out and look for reasons to be offended and be victimized. 

[Roy H.]

It's a dumb and immature thing to say.  It's probably not much different than what a lot of sports fans have said in their private lives at one time or another (whether it be regarding sexual preference or some other taboo subject), but it's still not a mature thing to say.

At the same time, I don't think there was any intent to offend, and it wasn't said with hate.  It was somebody making a joke after his words came out in a way that could be spun sexually.  I guess I agree with the others that have a hard time taking the "offense" seriously here.  By all means, educate somebody when they say something like this, but don't look for hatred or intent when there's none there.

[saltlover]

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

I disagree with you, but I'm not using the argument to silence you. I'm using it to explain why I don't take offense to a lot of jokes about my nationality. Or jokes about how much of a nerd I am. I used to be the butt of every joke back in school - I just turned that into my strength. I'm the one making the jokes now. Even when I turn a conversation into something awkward (which happens a lot because I'm not too good at small-talk), I'll make sure I end up diffusing the situation with a quip.

I'm not saying that everything should be laughed at. I'm not condoning racism, discrimination and the like. I'm just saying that in some cases, we shouldn't take certain words out of context.

And I do realize that, at least in the media and today's society, that's not the popular opinion.

To suggest that this opinion is a cop-out, to me, is not a great argument against it.

Come now.  Words like "wussification" and "sticks and stones" were used.  That's just victim-blaming.  "I didn't hit you, I only insulted you."  It's nonsense.  Legitimization of these words by some can lead to the legitimization of violence by others.  It sounds like hyperbole, but it's not.  There's more than enough instances in both recent and distant history of that happening in this country, and every country.  Words are incredibly powerful, and suggesting they aren't as a method of silencing arguments is showing power, but not strength.

Also, using your own experiences at getting over being called a nerd, or even something worse, does not mean you get to speak for someone else's ability to get over being called something.  You do not know what the specific experiences of others are.  I'm glad you were able to get over being called a nerd.  Me too.  I also got over people throwing rocks at me on my way home from school, although that was harder.  But if someone can't get over a slur that they were called every day in high school, I feel bad for them, and try not to use it, instead of piling on and calling them a "wuss."

[saltlover]

Reading this type of stuff makes me think only one thing:

"Hah. Series tied at 3 apiece. Love it."

In other words: this type of stuff really shouldn't be worth anyone's time. Whatever happened to sticks 'n stones.

Just part of the wussification of America. It's a cultural issue overall that reaches into schools and corporate america as the millennials are entering the workplace.

Not just in America. In any country, when there's a spotlight on someone, words are suddenly taken out of context - which is pretty much what "wussification" is all about: taking a word and saying - Hey, that applies to me! (Even though the target was someone else, and the word used was used in a different context.)

Ps.: I amended my earlier statement with something along the lines of what you said.

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

In my opinion I think the people that would get offended by this type of comment are either too sensitive or just looking for attention.

It's not up to you whether or not someone else gets offended.  If you say something, and someone else is offended, it should be up on you, as a member of society, to figure out why that person was offended.

Gay people are offended by the word "homo."  This is a fact.  It is used as a slur against them, by people who pretend they're just describing "homosexual" in a shorter word.  Not much different from how the "N-word" is from the word for "black" in other languages.  I've been called that word myself, and I assure you, it was not meant in a friendly manner.

So yes, that word is a slur.  Now, why else do gay people take offense to what Hibbert said?  It's because he used it in a way that says being gay is something to be embarrassed about.  Makes sense they would take offense to that.  He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".  Makes sense that they take offense to that too.

Seriously, it was offensive.  Now, if Roy Hibbert didn't think about what he was saying, and no one had ever told him why that might be offensive, I can easily agree his apology could be sincere, and that he didn't mean to hurt anyone.  Totally fair.  But to ignore what he said, and minimize the legitimate reactions that people may feel, is frankly just as offensive as what Hibbert said.  So I ask you, politely, as a fellow member of the Celticsblog community, to actually take some time reflect on what I've been saying about why it's offensive, as to merely playing it off as a joke that he shouldn't have said in public.  You obviously care about this issue, so I hope you will.

Tbanks.

I think we just have to agree to disagree, I think if people are offended by this they need to toughen up.  It was clearly inappropriate but not offensive, there is a difference but now being offended and playing the victim is the cool thing to do.  This was clearly not meant to hurt anybody yet people that were probably already unhappy decided to latch on to this as a way to distract themselves from already being unhappy. 

Everybody has things said to them that are mean or offensive in their lives and it stinks but there is no need to go out and look for reasons to be offended and be victimized.

I will agree that we disagree, but I think it's sad that you aren't willing to think about the hurt that others legitimately feel, and so will not agree that it's a good thing we disagree.

[PhoSita]

To steal from Myles Brown on twitter:

@mdotbrown

Why are you looking for gay innuendo in everything you say? Strength and security determine manhood. Not sexual orientation. It's lame.


@mdotbrown

"Why do they call it homophobia? I'm not scared of gay people." No, you're just scared of someone thinking you're gay :/

This pretty much covers it.

BEING GAY IS NOT A BAD THING.

So anytime you use a slang term that suggests you feel that being gay is a bad thing, whether it's an insult or not, you're perpetuating a problematic cultural message, which is that homosexuality is a negative trait.

There are a lot of things you can say that have a negative effect -- especially if you're a high profile person -- even if not a single reasonable person is actually offended by it.

[Kiorrik]

He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".

No. I disagree.

If I say the n-word to my girlfriend, or she says it to me, it's a joke. We're caucasian, and yes, the joke is in part funny because we are white. But let's be honest: the funniest part is that racism is such a bloody dumb thing.

We don't hate people because of their origins. That's dumb. We both HATE racism. It's one of the dumbest things in the world. THAT, is why it's funny. Because it's so stupid, so dumb.

And because we privately make fun of racism, when we do run into it, we don't take the people that *are* racist seriously. We see them for the idiots they are.

That's how we use those words, those discriminatory slurs, flinging them around acting like idiots.

I really believe diffusing such words makes the world a better place.

[Rondo2287]

Reading this type of stuff makes me think only one thing:

"Hah. Series tied at 3 apiece. Love it."

In other words: this type of stuff really shouldn't be worth anyone's time. Whatever happened to sticks 'n stones.

Just part of the wussification of America. It's a cultural issue overall that reaches into schools and corporate america as the millennials are entering the workplace.

Not just in America. In any country, when there's a spotlight on someone, words are suddenly taken out of context - which is pretty much what "wussification" is all about: taking a word and saying - Hey, that applies to me! (Even though the target was someone else, and the word used was used in a different context.)

Ps.: I amended my earlier statement with something along the lines of what you said.

Nonsense.  This argument is merely used to try to silence people you disagree with, and know you'll lose an argument to.  Talk about weak.

In my opinion I think the people that would get offended by this type of comment are either too sensitive or just looking for attention.

It's not up to you whether or not someone else gets offended.  If you say something, and someone else is offended, it should be up on you, as a member of society, to figure out why that person was offended.

Gay people are offended by the word "homo."  This is a fact.  It is used as a slur against them, by people who pretend they're just describing "homosexual" in a shorter word.  Not much different from how the "N-word" is from the word for "black" in other languages.  I've been called that word myself, and I assure you, it was not meant in a friendly manner.

So yes, that word is a slur.  Now, why else do gay people take offense to what Hibbert said?  It's because he used it in a way that says being gay is something to be embarrassed about.  Makes sense they would take offense to that.  He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".  Makes sense that they take offense to that too.

Seriously, it was offensive.  Now, if Roy Hibbert didn't think about what he was saying, and no one had ever told him why that might be offensive, I can easily agree his apology could be sincere, and that he didn't mean to hurt anyone.  Totally fair.  But to ignore what he said, and minimize the legitimate reactions that people may feel, is frankly just as offensive as what Hibbert said.  So I ask you, politely, as a fellow member of the Celticsblog community, to actually take some time reflect on what I've been saying about why it's offensive, as to merely playing it off as a joke that he shouldn't have said in public.  You obviously care about this issue, so I hope you will.

Tbanks.

I think we just have to agree to disagree, I think if people are offended by this they need to toughen up.  It was clearly inappropriate but not offensive, there is a difference but now being offended and playing the victim is the cool thing to do.  This was clearly not meant to hurt anybody yet people that were probably already unhappy decided to latch on to this as a way to distract themselves from already being unhappy. 

Everybody has things said to them that are mean or offensive in their lives and it stinks but there is no need to go out and look for reasons to be offended and be victimized.

I will agree that we disagree, but I think it's sad that you aren't willing to think about the hurt that others legitimately feel, and so will not agree that it's a good thing we disagree.

I think about how others feel, I just think its very sad that people feel the need to take offense to something that clearly had no offensive intent, I just hope they find whatever it is they are looking for. 

The word is a rough place, if people take offense to something like this they are going to be offended and probably unhappy for most of their lives I'm afraid

[CelticConcourse]

To steal from Myles Brown on twitter:

@mdotbrown

Why are you looking for gay innuendo in everything you say? Strength and security determine manhood. Not sexual orientation. It's lame.


@mdotbrown

"Why do they call it homophobia? I'm not scared of gay people." No, you're just scared of someone thinking you're gay :/

This pretty much covers it.

BEING GAY IS NOT A BAD THING.

So anytime you use a slang term that suggests you feel that being gay is a bad thing, whether it's an insult or not, you're perpetuating a problematic cultural message, which is that homosexuality is a negative trait.

There are a lot of things you can say that have a negative effect -- especially if you're a high profile person -- even if not a single reasonable person is actually offended by it.

Totally irrelevant to Hibbert's comments. He didn't say anything about gays being "bad".

[CelticConcourse]

He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".

No. I disagree.

If I say the n-word to my girlfriend, or she says it to me, it's a joke. We're caucasian, and yes, the joke is in part funny because we are white. But let's be honest: the funniest part is that racism is such a bloody dumb thing.

We don't hate people because of their origins. That's dumb. We both HATE racism. It's one of the dumbest things in the world. THAT, is why it's funny. Because it's so stupid, so dumb.

And because we privately make fun of racism, when we do run into it, we don't take the people that *are* racist seriously. We see them for the idiots they are.

That's how we use those words, those discriminatory slurs, flinging them around acting like idiots.

I really believe diffusing such words makes the world a better place.

TP.

"I really believe diffusing such words makes the world a better place."

[PhoSita]

He used it in a joke, which says that "Being gay is something to joke about".

No. I disagree.

If I say the n-word to my girlfriend, or she says it to me, it's a joke. We're caucasian, and yes, the joke is in part funny because we are white. But let's be honest: the funniest part is that racism is such a bloody dumb thing.

We don't hate people because of their origins. That's dumb. We both HATE racism. It's one of the dumbest things in the world. THAT, is why it's funny. Because it's so stupid, so dumb.

And because we privately make fun of racism, when we do run into it, we don't take the people that *are* racist seriously. We see them for the idiots they are.

That's how we use those words, those discriminatory slurs, flinging them around acting like idiots.

I really believe diffusing such words makes the world a better place.

I believe you when you say you're totally well intentioned doing that, but I think that a word like that shouldn't be used by people who are inherently incapable of fully appreciating its full meaning and impact.  In that sense, it doesn't really matter that you don't mean any hate by it.

Probably you're not affecting anybody if it's just you and your girlfriend hanging out with no people of color around to hear.  But you could use that as a justification for telling racist jokes "even though you don't really mean it" -- a number of people I've known have done as much. 

The problem with white people saying the N-word in an effort to "neutralize" it's negative connotations is that being white means you're not really in a position to do that.  The only people who can decide as a group not to feel ostracized / alienated / dehumanized etc when they hear that word is people who identify as black.