Roy Hibbert Fined For Gay Slur

[nuts4xu]

http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/pacers_roy_hibbert_fined_75k_for_postgame_comments/13746788?linksrc=home_rg_head_13746788

I have never endorsed a slur against anyone, and it today's age, society is over sensitive when it comes to inappropriate phrases. People have to be very careful what the say, and how they say it.

But I don't even understand what Hibbert's phrase even means.

Anyone an expert on slurs that can enlighten the board on the meaning of the phrase "no homo"? Is this a song lyric or something?

I understand the fine, and don't think they should suspend Hibbert for game 7, as others have called for.

[Muskie]

I know Kanye West has used it in a song or two? I think it means "I like that other guy, but in a non sexual way"?

[rove02]

People use it after they say something that might sound like a gay comment. For example someone might say, "They were really pounding us inside... no homo".

People also use "pause" instead of no homo sometimes. I remember Crawford saying this in an interview before.

[Kahns Krazy]

If you were to say to Brad Redford "You're my favorite player!" you might follow it with "no homo".

I supposed it could be interpreted as a slur, but it's really exactly the same as saying "You're my favorite player. I'm straight."

What was the context?

Is the word "homo" just banned?

[DC Muskie]

I am too white to help out on this one.

[ammtd34]

It's a really stupid thing to say, not because it's necessarily offensive, it just sounds dumb. Why does anyone feel the need to clarify their sexuality after an innocuous statement when taken in context?

[PMI]

The fact that he has to apologize for saying this shows how pathetically far we've sunk as a society in the politically correct department. At this pace, we are about three years away from having to apologize for not participating in a worldwide circle jerk, where everyone gets purple ribbons for getting off. Sad times.

[DC Muskie]

I doubt Hibbert would have gotten fined for calling the media "People who like to make Love to Mothers." If the NBA started fining guys for using the term " m'fers," brothers would be broke.

[Smails]

I doubt Hibbert would have gotten fined for calling the media "People who like to make Love to Mothers." If the NBA started fining guys for using the term " m'fers," brothers would be broke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0DeIqJm4vM

[BandAid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0yFyW7Ysps

No Homo compliments of Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island

[Kahns Krazy]

"There was Game 3 here that I felt I let Paul (George) down in terms of having his back when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting into the paint because they stretched me out so much - no homo (laughing) - but I want to be there for him," Hibbert said. "I think he has a chance to be MVP of this league next year."


I may be insensitive on this one. Is that really a "gay slur"? It may be a crude and an inappropriate sexual reference, but isn't this just kind of hip-hop for "that's what she said"? Would he have been fined for saying

"There was Game 3 here that I felt I let Paul (George) down in terms of having his back when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting into the paint because they stretched me out so much - that's what she said (laughing) - but I want to be there for him," Hibbert said. "I think he has a chance to be MVP of this league next year."

I don't know on this one. Maybe I'll have to choose to be gay today to really understand it.

[PMI]

I may be insensitive on this one. Is that really a "gay slur"? It may be a crude and an inappropriate sexual reference, but isn't this just kind of hip-hop for "that's what she said"? Would he have been fined for saying

"There was Game 3 here that I felt I let Paul (George) down in terms of having his back when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting into the paint because they stretched me out so much - that's what she said (laughing) - but I want to be there for him," Hibbert said. "I think he has a chance to be MVP of this league next year."

I don't know on this one. Maybe I'll have to choose to be gay today to really understand it.

You aren't losing it. There was no slur at all. Anyone who is offended by those comments can stick it up their ass, no homo.

[RealDeal]

Why is MFer an insult anyway. MILF is a glorious thing.

[usfldan]

It’s definitely a slur. He’s clarifying that he’s not one of THOSE people.

He may not have meant it as a slur, but as a part of his everyday speech. But it’s a phrase that has no business being in a press conference, and the NBA is better off taking care of it now.

[PMI]

It’s definitely a slur. He’s clarifying that he’s not one of THOSE people.

He may not have meant it as a slur, but as a part of his everyday speech. But it’s a phrase that has no business being in a press conference, and the NBA is better off taking care of it now.

Really? He's clarifying that he's not one of those people? It's a freaking expression. You can find a slur in just about anything if you look hard enough. Homosexuality is just a hot button issue that the politically correct losers are very touchy about, so people have to be especially careful about their choice of words or else they're unfairly labeled something that most of us are not, but for some reason are supposed to live our lives proving to everyone else. Roy should not have apologized for what he said. He should have apologized for saying "motherfucker" because it's a curse word, but not for saying "no homo." I know what kind of person Roy is. He shouldn't have to apologize for using an expression as vanilla as that.

[xeus]

Would he have been fined if, instead of saying "no homo", he had said, "To clarify, I am not a homosexual person." ...?

[Smails]

It’s definitely a slur. He’s clarifying that he’s not one of THOSE people.

He may not have meant it as a slur, but as a part of his everyday speech. But it’s a phrase that has no business being in a press conference, and the NBA is better off taking care of it now.

Was Phil Martelli calling Stanley Burell's mom a bitch when he said he was happy that 'son of a bitch' was graduating?

[PMI]

Was Phil Martelli calling Stanley Burell's mom a bitch when he said he was happy that 'son of a bitch' was graduating?

I never thought about it that way, but I guess, yes, he must've been. What he literally meant was that he was happy that THAT bitch's son was finally graduating.

[xeus]

At this pace, we are about three years away from having to apologize for not participating in a worldwide circle jerk, where everyone gets purple ribbons for getting off.

See, that would have been a good opportunity to say "no homo". But you didn't...

[LA Muskie]

Are we seriously debating this? It was a slur. We all know it was a slur. The fact that it may be a socially acceptable slur in some circumstances doesn't mean that the NBA is (or can) let its employees say it during a corporate press conference. If Dwight cracked a joke during a Lakers press conference and Kobe looked over at him and said "Dude, you're so gay" we could write it off as him meaning "Dude, you are so happy" because technically that would be an accurate statement of the English meaning of the words. But we'd all know better.

Many in the African American community use the "N" word. They don't use it in a derogatory fashion when referring to one another. Doesn't mean they can use that language at a press conference.

[DC Muskie]

The word "homosexual" has to be the only word on the planet that when you shorten it, it becomes a slur.

Maybe there's another one, or a few...I can't think of any.

[ammtd34]

The word "homosexual" has to be the only word on the planet that when you shorten it, it becomes a slur.

Maybe there's another one, or a few...I can't think of any.

Jap? Probably not used a lot.

[DC Muskie]

Jap? Probably not used a lot.

Good one! My Irish grandmother used that a few times, and not in a nice way. Very much a slur.

[QueensbridgeMF]

Good one! My Irish grandmother used that a few times, and not in a nice way. Very much a slur.

I always gave my grandfather a pass on that one since he fought the Japanese in WWII.

[Kahns Krazy]

The word "homosexual" has to be the only word on the planet that when you shorten it, it becomes a slur.

Maybe there's another one, or a few...I can't think of any.

Jewish, depending on the usage.

Cockatoo.

Also, homo itself can be shortened to 'mo.

Spic, tard and sped are words shortened to slurs.

I'm sure there are examples in other languages, so I couldn't even imagine the number of slurs from shortened words. My limited knowledge of the Spanish language leads me to believe that there are several options there.

Redskin potato can be shortened to just "Redskin", which Paul Daugherty tells me is a slur that he personally discovered.

[paulxu]

Does Gayton count?

[DC Muskie]

I always gave my grandfather a pass on that one since he fought the Japanese in WWII.

Same here. Except my grandmother was a nurse.

[DC Muskie]

Jewish, depending on the usage.

Cockatoo.

Also, homo itself can be shortened to 'mo.

Spic, tard and sped are words shortened to slurs.

I'm sure there are examples in other languages, so I couldn't even imagine the number of slurs from shortened words. My limited knowledge of the Spanish language leads me to believe that there are several options there.

Redskin potato can be shortened to just "Redskin", which Paul Daugherty tells me is a slur that he personally discovered.

Is Mic short for something? That was a slur in the 50's.

[GoMuskies]

I love all you guys (no homo)!

[KC4X]

I love all you guys (no homo)!


Sexist.

[usfldan]

Would he have been fined if, instead of saying "no homo", he had said, "To clarify, I am not a homosexual person." ...?

As silly as it would have sounded for him to say that in the middle of a press conference, that's exactly what he did say and as silly as it did sound.

It's odd, I finally found the actual clip and he almost goes out of his way to fit it in. I doubt when he said, "they stretched me out so much..." there was anyone in that room for a basketball press conference that was thinking, "whoa, that sounds kind of gay." (I don't think "that's what she said" would have worked very well there either). He even seems to know he shouldn't say it- he lowers his voice and tries to slip it in quickly under his breath.

If I had to guess, it sounded to me like it's an inside joke within the team and it turned into one of those things you can talk about in the locker room, but you can't bring into a press conference.

I don't think he's a bad person for saying it and I don't think it's the worst thing someone could say. But it should not have been said, and it definitely did not need to be said.

[PMI]

Are we seriously debating this? It was a slur. We all know it was a slur. The fact that it may be a socially acceptable slur in some circumstances doesn't mean that the NBA is (or can) let its employees say it during a corporate press conference. If Dwight cracked a joke during a Lakers press conference and Kobe looked over at him and said "Dude, you're so gay" we could write it off as him meaning "Dude, you are so happy" because technically that would be an accurate statement of the English meaning of the words. But we'd all know better.

Many in the African American community use the "N" word. They don't use it in a derogatory fashion when referring to one another. Doesn't mean they can use that language at a press conference.

Yes, we are seriously debating this. Who gets to decide what constitutes a slur anyway? Is it just anything that anyone can find disparaging? Because then pretty much everything is at risk. Is saying "Im not gay" a slur to homosexuals? Plus, that's a big difference from saying, "dude, you're so gay," so your comparison really doesn't work. Again, I know everyone loves taking part in the giant circle jerk (or at least loves appearing like their down with the circle jerk), but I don't fault anyone for not getting sucked into it. "No homo" is such an unbelievably benign little phrase. If anyone takes offense to that, it's their problem and nobody else's. And please let's not pretend like everyone is held to the same standards. Only certain groups, ethnicities, races, etc., have each and every one of their precious little feelings protected by the circle jerk army of political correctness. Not only is it a long, ever-changing checklist of what is and isn't acceptable to say, but it's also one with absolutely no objective to all people as a whole. There are double standards all over the place in what is considered acceptable. The whole thing is a joke, and if people were actually tolerant, they'd accept that not everyone is interested in playing the futile game of "let's cater to the most oversensitive people only."

[sweet16]

If you owned a business would you be comfortable sitting in a sales presentation with numerous representatives from a very important prospective client and have your sales director utter the words "no homo"?

[DC Muskie]

If you owned a business would you be comfortable sitting in a sales presentation with numerous representatives from a very important prospective client and have your sales director utter the words "no homo"?

Depends on what we were selling. Axe body spray or Amercrombie & Fitch might need some clarification.

[PMI]

If you owned a business would you be comfortable sitting in a sales presentation with numerous representatives from a very important prospective client and have your sales director utter the words "no homo"?

If you owned a business, would you hire guys who don't have college degrees (Hibbert does but many don't) who speak in what people of your ilk would refer to as "ebonics" in business meetings? I hardly think the two scenarios are comparable. And my soapbox rant extends far beyond NBA press conferences, but to society as a whole. It's rather pathetic, and I don't expect many others to have the balls to publicly admit that I'm right.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Many in the African American community use the "N" word. They don't use it in a derogatory fashion when referring to one another. Doesn't mean they can use that language at a press conference.

Just say "Gangsta" and leave it at that. Float right by.

[sweet16]

If you owned a business, would you hire guys who don't have college degrees (Hibbert does but many don't) who speak in what people of your ilk would refer to as "ebonics" in business meetings? I hardly think the two scenarios are comparable. And my soapbox rant extends far beyond NBA press conferences, but to society as a whole. It's rather pathetic, and I don't expect many others to have the balls to publicly admit that I'm right.

I really didn't think that you would understand.......here's why it is comparable. My example establishes context, it defines boundaries, it acknowledges acceptable social behavior and it separates the trailer park trash from the cultivated (note that I didn't say educated, as formal education has nothing to do with it). Now, you can go through life if you like being regarded as the proverbial turd in a punchbowl because you quite simply don't know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior..........but I don't think that's the case with you. So what is it, you just always like to take a contrarious view?

[Kahns Krazy]

There is simply no comparison between the professional sports world and the corporate sales pitch world. I am the king of stupid analogies, so I know them when I see them.

[Xpectations]

Is Mic short for something?

Yes, it is short for "Mick." Mic is perhaps the ugliest slur, meaning "you're a hair- and tooth-challenged, grandstanding little person" (Note: I didn't use "baldy," "midget" or "fucker," because some may consider those slurs).

[PMI]

I really didn't think that you would understand.......here's why it is comparable. My example establishes context, it defines boundaries, it acknowledges acceptable social behavior and it separates the trailer park trash from the cultivated (note that I didn't say educated, as formal education has nothing to do with it). Now, you can go through life if you like being regarded as the proverbial turd in a punchbowl because you quite simply don't know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior..........but I don't think that's the case with you. So what is it, you just always like to take a contrarious view?

That is an extremely broad set of qualifications for why the situations could be comparable that you've got there. I think it's not very comparable at all, and I'll explain why. If you watch an NBA press conference, or any kind of interview/on camera appearance by a player, you'll see and hear plenty that you would never deem acceptable in the business world. Nobody would ever make noise over a player reciting a relatively clean set of rap lyrics at a presser, for example. But if a person you hired recited the exact same line in a formal business meeting, even if it were applicable to the topic at hand, it would not be looked upon fondly. Now there are obviously lines that should not be crossed. Roy shouldn't have used the term "motherfuckers" because that's a curse word that everyone understands will get you fined by the FCC. By using that word, you are putting the network, that the league which employs you is partnered with, at risk of being financially penalized. It's objectively and officially a "bad" word to say, and there are repercussions for saying it. The term "no homo," however, isn't enough to get you a TV14 rating. It's a silly phrase that in no way disparages anyone and it contains no word that would get bleeped out in the media. If that's where we draw the line of what's unacceptable, then we are, in fact, in a dark and dismal era of political correctness, and I think it's wrong.

The other argument is that, in this case, the person who said the phrase (rather than the phrase itself) directly affected the response to it, as evidenced by the fact that Lebron James said the exact same thing a few years ago, on camera as a representative of the NBA, and he was not fined, reprimanded, or publicly criticized in any way. The only other conclusion one could reach other than the fact that who says it matters, rather than the phrase itself, is that "no homo" is a slur now, but was not a few years ago. And THAT plays perfectly into my point, that we are moving further and further towards being pathetically phony as a society. It may not seem like a big deal yet. But at this pace, there will be a time in the not so distant future, where people will be exhaustingly fake. The politically correct (who ironically hide behind the false cloak of tolerance) demand that everyone else regress to the dullards they are, which in essence is only complete when everyone is a dullard. How is that tolerance? How is that good for society? Especially when you consider that their brigades only target certain, but certainly not all, groups of people. It is only politically correct to act politically correct in regards to certain types of people. Homosexuals certainly fall into that category. As an Italian-American straight skinny guy, I do not. Now if I were fat, I would benefit from the rule that people can't hurt my feelings for being fat. "Fat" is a mean word and "skinny" is a nice word. If Sergio Garcia makes a comment about Tiger Woods eating fried chicken, he's an insensitive racist. But if he had told me I'm coming over for dinner for spaghetti and meatballs, all those douchebags would've chuckled over it. The boundaries are not equal. Politcal correctness is to protect certain, not all people.The whole thing sucks, and I could go on and on on my soapbox over it forever, but it's not going to change the minds of the dullards who believe in it.

"No homo." That's the latest milestone in these assholes' race towards universal blind idiocy. What's next?

[DC Muskie]

I think the question is...would Roy had recieved the fine had Jason Collins stayed in the closest? Is his coming want now changed a term that was not considered offensive two years ago, now offensive, because we all know a gay player exists in the NBA?

[sweet16]

There is simply no comparison between the professional sports world and the corporate sales pitch world. I am the king of stupid analogies, so I know them when I see them.

I think you missed the point. I'm suggesting that the "corporate sales pitch world" may be more analogous to a press conference (not necessarily professional sports). It could be an athlete or univeristy president or politician or business owner or salesman........doesn't really matter. What's important is that you recognize your audience and you filter your language accordingly.

[PMI]

I think you missed the point. I'm suggesting that the "corporate sales pitch world" may be more analogous to a press conference (not necessarily professional sports). It could be an athlete or univeristy president or politician or business owner or salesman........doesn't really matter. What's important is that you recognize your audience and you filter your language accordingly.

See, I don't necessarily disagree with that. I think where we differ on this is where the line should be drawn. I think this particular case is MUCH ado about nothing.

[LA Muskie]

I think the question is...would Roy had recieved the fine had Jason Collins stayed in the closest? Is his coming want now changed a term that was not considered offensive two years ago, now offensive, because we all know a gay player exists in the NBA?
I very much think the answer to that question is NO. But that's just my opinion.

[LA Muskie]

There is simply no comparison between the professional sports world and the corporate sales pitch world. I am the king of stupid analogies, so I know them when I see them.
As long as you think that NBA basketball is just a game, you might be right. But I think you know it is not. It is a multi-billion dollar business. Every business is different. But most have at least one thing in common -- don't piss off a large segment of the masses.

[LA Muskie]

See, I don't necessarily disagree with that. I think where we differ on this is where the line should be drawn. I think this particular case is MUCH ado about nothing.
When it comes to big business, the line will almost always be drawn very conservatively -- unless the business is in the business of being a renegade, or has ownership that fancies itself that way. Neither applies to the HUGE business that is the NBA (even Mark Cuban wouldn't toe the line that closely).

[DC Muskie]

I very much think the answer to that question is NO. But that's just my opinion.

See I guess that's where I have my concerns.

I can see fining Kobe for what he did. You simply can scream something like that at another person.

The Roy thing is just so stupid to me. Which part of the fine was for the "no homo" comment and which part of the fine was calling the press m fers.

[LA Muskie]

See I guess that's where I have my concerns.

I can see fining Kobe for what he did. You simply can scream something like that at another person.

The Roy thing is just so stupid to me. Which part of the fine was for the "no homo" comment and which part of the fine was calling the press m fers.
Good question. Maybe it was a combined "you are an idiot" fine.

[DC Muskie]

Good question. Maybe it was a combined "you are an idiot" fine.

Or a "please stop talking" fine. Those are also pretty popular. Mark Cuban gets a lot of those.

[PMI]

When it comes to big business, the line will almost always be drawn very conservatively -- unless the business is in the business of being a renegade, or has ownership that fancies itself that way. Neither applies to the HUGE business that is the NBA (even Mark Cuban wouldn't toe the line that closely).

Again, that is all pretty obvious. But that doesn't mean that this is where the line should be conservatively drawn. It does not change the overall point. And Mark Cuban has undoubtably said more controversial things than "no homo" many, many times.

[PMI]

Good question. Maybe it was a combined "you are an idiot" fine.

The funny thing is, I'm willing to bet Roy Hibbert is far more educated than the VAST majority of NBA players. He's also someone who's had more exposure to other cultures, races, and kinds of people than most folks get before college. I think people who are truly diverse and tolerant are far less likely to foolishly dance to every little political correctness drumbeat than those who don't really understand what it is that they're advocating.

[Kahns Krazy]

As long as you think that NBA basketball is just a game, you might be right. But I think you know it is not. It is a multi-billion dollar business. Every business is different. But most have at least one thing in common -- don't piss off a large segment of the masses.

What large segment of the masses was pissed off by the "no homo" comment? Is rap not a multi-billion dollar business with a significant overlap in customer base?

[Kahns Krazy]

I think you missed the point. I'm suggesting that the "corporate sales pitch world" may be more analogous to a press conference (not necessarily professional sports). It could be an athlete or univeristy president or politician or business owner or salesman........doesn't really matter. What's important is that you recognize your audience and you filter your language accordingly.

I would say more accurately that you failed to make your point. I didn't miss anything because it wasn't there.

Now that you've made this point, I think motherf*cker is an example of this. I do not think a "no homo" dropped in conversationally is an example of a fine-worthy failure in judgement.

I think the fact that they made him apologize for it is even worse.

[PMI]

What large segment of the masses was pissed off by the "no homo" comment? Is rap not a multi-billion dollar business with a significant overlap in customer base?

Exactly. Well put.

I find it amazing that there are people who actually think that Hibbert used a slur. Like, truly amazing. If somebody clarifies that they didn't mean something in a gay way, they are disparaging gay people? How on earth do people who graduated from the same university as me see any logic in that?

[LA Muskie]

Exactly. Well put.

I find it amazing that there are people who actually think that Hibbert used a slur. Like, truly amazing. If somebody clarifies that they didn't mean something in a gay way, they are disparaging gay people? How on earth do people who graduated from the same university as me see any logic in that?

Well let's try this. Take a stereotype of another gender, racial or ethnic group and then say "No --" and see if you still think the same way. Go ahead. Go to your next meeting at work, take an African American stereotype, and then say "No N!$$@%". Or take a Hispanic steroetype and then say "No Spic". Or even a female stereotype and say "No bitch". Seriously, go try it. Let me know how it goes.

I find it interesting that people who are not offended by slurs decide that those about whom the slurs exist have the gall to be offended, just because those who are not in that class aren't.

[sweet16]

I would say more accurately that you failed to make your point. I didn't miss anything because it wasn't there.

Now that you've made this point, I think motherf*cker is an example of this. I do not think a "no homo" dropped in conversationally is an example of a fine-worthy failure in judgement.

I think the fact that they made him apologize for it is even worse.

If you can't recognize the distinction then it's probably a safe assumption that your employer avoids putting you in front of customers, vendors and outside contractors at all costs.

[ammtd34]

Exactly. Well put.

I find it amazing that there are people who actually think that Hibbert used a slur. Like, truly amazing. If somebody clarifies that they didn't mean something in a gay way, they are disparaging gay people? How on earth do people who graduated from the same university as me see any logic in that?

Here's a far reaching attempt (I don't think he should have been fined, suspended, whatever... I also don't think he should have said it.).

By clarifying that what he said wasn't homosexual, he was making the assumption that there is something inherently wrong with homosexuality. Whenever someone says something innocuous, there's never any clarification. The only time people clarify is when they think what they're saying could be wrong, e.g. "I'm not racist, but...(usually something racist)."

I fully understand "no homo" and it's context. I think it's a stupid thing to say, not because it's offensive, but because it's just stupid. I also think it was completely blown out of proportion.

[PMI]

Well let's try this. Take a stereotype of another gender, racial or ethnic group and then say "No --" and see if you still think the same way. Go ahead. Go to your next meeting at work, take an African American stereotype, and then say "No N!$$@%". Or take a Hispanic steroetype and then say "No Spic". Or even a female stereotype and say "No bitch". Seriously, go try it. Let me know how it goes.

I find it interesting that people who are not offended by slurs decide that those about whom the slurs exist have the gall to be offended, just because those who are not in that class aren't.

Your analogy simply doesn't work. Had Hibbert said, "no faggot," then your analogy would be fine. He used an objective abbreviation of an inoffensive word. That's a far cry from the N word, wouldn't you say? If you turn on the news, and there's a topic about homosexuality, they will use the term "homosexual" because it's the politically correct, official term for a gay person. You will NEVER turn on the news and see a poll that says, "Los Angeles is now 35% Spics, a new high." See the difference?

Your second paragraph is even more inaccurate. There are certain words that should offend people. But there are also certain words that, if you're offended by them, you are the one who's got the problem. At some point, you are oversensitive; it's not just everyone else being insensitive. My point is that that line should be drawn well short of "no homo." You're really, really stretching here.


Here's a far reaching attempt (I don't think he should have been fined, suspended, whatever... I also don't think he should have said it.).

By clarifying that what he said wasn't homosexual, he was making the assumption that there is something inherently wrong with homosexuality. Whenever someone says something innocuous, there's never any clarification. The only time people clarify is when they think what they're saying could be wrong, e.g. "I'm not racist, but...(usually something racist)."

I fully understand "no homo" and it's context. I think it's a stupid thing to say, not because it's offensive, but because it's just stupid. I also think it was completely blown out of proportion.

See, I think you're wrong that by clarifying that he isn't homosexual, that he's making the assumption that there's something inherently wrong about being homosexual. You're making that jump, when there's in fact nothing in his words that suggest he feels that way. I'm guessing I'm the only one here who even somewhat knows the guy we're talking about, and he is not an asshole, an intolerant person, or a biggot. It is perfectly reasonable to say, "I'm not racist, but..." and finish the sentence with something that is not racist. You can clarify beforehand in case you are about to say something that could possibly be misconstrued as racist, so that you don't come across as racist. That is entirely possible and happens plenty.

I'm not arguing that it's not a stupid phrase, but I am arguing that it's not offensive. Now, again, anyone can take anything as offensive, but there must be a line between when someone is being oversensitive and being reasonable, and I think that line is drawn well before "no homo."

Let me ask you guys this. Do you think Roy Hibbert has never experienced slurs? The guy was 6'10 when we were like 12 years old. I used to hear firsthand the things that people would yell at him, and not just on the court. Guess what? He didn't bitch about it and cry about getting phrases banned. He worked his ass off and turned himself into an NBA star. Too many (not all) people who cry about intolerance and political correctness and such do nothing productive other than bitch and moan. I have no respect for those kinds of people. But the fact that we have to have this conversation is due to people like them, and their oversensitivity and downright petulance over issues that they feel they need to blow up into something bigger than they are. Yet we are ALL supposed to cater to their wishes. Makes me shake my head. There are plenty of examples of people who rightfully are offended or targeted by bigotry, but you are a pussy (can I say that?) if you think this is one of them.

[LA Muskie]

Your analogy simply doesn't work. Had Hibbert said, "no faggot," then your analogy would be fine. He used an objective abbreviation of an inoffensive word. That's a far cry from the N word, wouldn't you say? If you turn on the news, and there's a topic about homosexuality, they will use the term "homosexual" because it's the politically correct, official term for a gay person. You will NEVER turn on the news and see a poll that says, "Los Angeles is now 35% Spics, a new high." See the difference?

Your second paragraph is even more inaccurate. There are certain words that should offend people. But there are also certain words that, if you're offended by them, you are the one who's got the problem. At some point, you are oversensitive; it's not just everyone else being insensitive. My point is that that line should be drawn well short of "no homo." You're really, really stretching here.
PMI, I think the problem is that you are not in the class of those offended, yet you feel entitled to tell them that it is not offensive. I assure you that the term "homo" when used in this context is considered offensive to gay people. The fact that it is derived from "homosexual" doesn't change the connotation. If Hibbert had said, "Look, I don't mean this in a homosexual way, but..." then that's one thing. He didn't. You know that. I know that. He even knows that (and hence the facial expression).

As for your other point, I don't know what to say. I guess we should just decide for those in the minority what is and is not properly offensive to them.

[paulxu]

"No homo." That's the latest milestone in these assholes' race towards universal blind idiocy. What's next?

Gangsta!

(injures himself patting back for introducing a new G effect word into a thread about an existing G effect subject)

[GoMuskies]

On Paul's theme of Gs and hijacking, is it a slur to call someone a ginger?

[PMI]

PMI, I think the problem is that you are not in the class of those offended, yet you feel entitled to tell them that it is not offensive. I assure you that the term "homo" when used in this context is considered offensive to gay people. The fact that it is derived from "homosexual" doesn't change the connotation. If Hibbert had said, "Look, I don't mean this in a homosexual way, but..." then that's one thing. He didn't. You know that. I know that. He even knows that (and hence the facial expression).

As for your other point, I don't know what to say. I guess we should just decide for those in the minority what is and is not properly offensive to them.

Do you honestly still fail to understand what I'm saying, LA? You're a smart guy and a man of the law, so I shouldn't have to keep explaining this. I never said I (or we) should decide for those in the minority what is and is not properly offensive to them. Like I said, anyone can be offended by anything. It's their right. But it should not be up to us, the majority, to dance around every single landline for them. That's no way to live. We shouldn't have to apologize for everything that could possibly offend everyone, especially when, like I said, it's only SPECIFIC groups who get to play the politically correct card, not all. It's total bullshit, and they should not be entitled to have the world run specifically the way they want, all the while hiding behind the excuse of "it's what's RIGHT."

I am not in the class of those who would be offended by "no homo," no. But if I were so inclined, I could choose to be vocalized my being offended by other things that may offend me. Everyone has issues, insecurities, etc. To an extent, it is important that people are at least tolerant (doesn't mean you have to like, agree, etc.) of other people for who they are. It does NOT mean you have to live according to the world as they paint it just so that you don't run the risk of hurting someone's feelings. I still disagree with you wholeheartedly about the word. I mean, the word "Jew" can be used as offensive, could it not? It's OK to make fun of Irish, Italian, English, or basically any European who the majority of who white people who have been in America for the last few generations are descendants of, is it not? At least compared to other ethnic groups, it certainly is. There are double standards all over the damn place. I can speak for nobody but myself, but nobody else can speak for me also. It works both ways. So why must we apologize for how we feel, if it's not dangerous, harmful, overtly bigoted, etc? Does the definition of tolerance not include being tolerant of all half-way rational views? Sorry, I just don't see any need for Hibbert to apologize, and I think the fact that he was essentially forced to shows that the world is heading in a shitty direction that I don't approve of. But I don't make the rules. The wrong people do.

[PMI]

On Paul's theme of Gs and hijacking, is it a slur to call someone a ginger?

I'll bet if a Spur jokingly referred to their teammate, Bonner, as a ginger in a presser, they would not have to apologize? Imagine if Bonner referred to Leonard as a negro though! Double standards all over the place. The solution would be for everyone to take a deep breath and shrug off most of the shit that they find offensive. If homosexuals came up with a slur toward straight people, I'd think it was pretty damned funny myself.

[waggy]

Gay is a choice. I submit this thread as evidence.

[GoMuskies]

This thread IS pretty homo.

[Xpectations]

Xavierhoops is my favorite XU basketball site. No promo.

[xeus]

I'm friends with gladdenguy, no homo.

[LA Muskie]

If homosexuals came up with a slur toward straight people, I'd think it was pretty damned funny myself.
I'm sure they have. We just don't know it. And I agree it's probably pretty funny.

[LA Muskie]

Do you honestly still fail to understand what I'm saying, LA? You're a smart guy and a man of the law, so I shouldn't have to keep explaining this. I never said I (or we) should decide for those in the minority what is and is not properly offensive to them. Like I said, anyone can be offended by anything. It's their right. But it should not be up to us, the majority, to dance around every single landline for them. That's no way to live. We shouldn't have to apologize for everything that could possibly offend everyone, especially when, like I said, it's only SPECIFIC groups who get to play the politically correct card, not all. It's total bullshit, and they should not be entitled to have the world run specifically the way they want, all the while hiding behind the excuse of "it's what's RIGHT."

I am not in the class of those who would be offended by "no homo," no. But if I were so inclined, I could choose to be vocalized my being offended by other things that may offend me. Everyone has issues, insecurities, etc. To an extent, it is important that people are at least tolerant (doesn't mean you have to like, agree, etc.) of other people for who they are. It does NOT mean you have to live according to the world as they paint it just so that you don't run the risk of hurting someone's feelings. I still disagree with you wholeheartedly about the word. I mean, the word "Jew" can be used as offensive, could it not? It's OK to make fun of Irish, Italian, English, or basically any European who the majority of who white people who have been in America for the last few generations are descendants of, is it not? At least compared to other ethnic groups, it certainly is. There are double standards all over the damn place. I can speak for nobody but myself, but nobody else can speak for me also. It works both ways. So why must we apologize for how we feel, if it's not dangerous, harmful, overtly bigoted, etc? Does the definition of tolerance not include being tolerant of all half-way rational views? Sorry, I just don't see any need for Hibbert to apologize, and I think the fact that he was essentially forced to shows that the world is heading in a shitty direction that I don't approve of. But I don't make the rules. The wrong people do.
Believe it or not, when it comes to arguing that our world is becoming annoyingly PC you've got a friend in me. I just don't see this situation that way. Like I said before, context is everything. A post-game press conference is a corporate communication. The employer has every right to draw the line when it comes to corporate communication. Hibbert can get away with a lot more in the locker room, and a hell of a lot more at home. But when he's wearing an NBA jersey and sitting in front of a TNT microphone, he's got to be very careful. And it's a small price to pay for the the huge-ass paycheck, so I don't feel particularly bad for him.

[rove02]

Well let's try this. Take a stereotype of another gender, racial or ethnic group and then say "No --" and see if you still think the same way. Go ahead. Go to your next meeting at work, take an African American stereotype, and then say "No N!$$@%". Or take a Hispanic steroetype and then say "No Spic". Or even a female stereotype and say "No bitch". Seriously, go try it. Let me know how it goes.

I find it interesting that people who are not offended by slurs decide that those about whom the slurs exist have the gall to be offended, just because those who are not in that class aren't.

I find it interesting that you felt comfortable writing out two of those derogatory statements but had to censor the other. For someone who is such an expert on slurs could you explain why a slur towards blacks is so much worse than one towards Hispanics, gays, or women? Seems like reverse profiling to me.

[GoMuskies]

And he could have just wrote out niggas. Everyone knows that if you use the "a" and not the "er" that it's not offensive.

[LA Muskie]

I find it interesting that you felt comfortable writing out two of those derogatory statements but had to censor the other. For someone who is such an expert on slurs could you explain why a slur towards blacks is so much worse than one towards Hispanics, gays, or women? Seems like reverse profiling to me.
I recognized that when I wrote it. There is one that I just couldn't fathom writing or saying. Just couldn't do it. I admittedly didn't have the same difficulty with the Hispanic one (although it was uncomfortable nevertheless). That's probably because there's not the same history there. As for the word "bitch" ... well I say that all the time so I had no trouble with that one.

[Xpectations]

If homosexuals came up with a slur toward straight people, I'd think it was pretty damned funny myself.

Aussie homosexuals call them Bushmen.

[Kahns Krazy]

What if Jason Collins makes some reference in his nest press conference like "The pass was perfect, so I just stuffed it in the hole. Yes homo."

[PMI]

What if Jason Collins makes some reference in his nest press conference like "The pass was perfect, so I just stuffed it in the hole. Yes homo."

Everyone would celebrate his sense of humor about himself and call him a brave pioneer.

[PMI]

Believe it or not, when it comes to arguing that our world is becoming annoyingly PC you've got a friend in me. I just don't see this situation that way. Like I said before, context is everything. A post-game press conference is a corporate communication. The employer has every right to draw the line when it comes to corporate communication. Hibbert can get away with a lot more in the locker room, and a hell of a lot more at home. But when he's wearing an NBA jersey and sitting in front of a TNT microphone, he's got to be very careful. And it's a small price to pay for the the huge-ass paycheck, so I don't feel particularly bad for him.

I agree that it's a small price for him to pay, and I don't feel bad for him for having to open up his wallet either. But I disagree with why he had to do it, so it's a matter of principle to me. I still have serious trouble looking at an NBA press conference as a true corporate communication though. Kahn's made the point about how rap is also a multi-billion dollar business with a significant overlap in customer base. Doesn't mean it's all that comparable to other businesses. I think there is a huge, huge difference in how people are expected to conduct themselves in the corporate world versus in the NBA. Did Allen Iverson get fined for his rant about practice? Or Jim Mora on his playoff rant? Or anyone else who was able to go on epic rants without using too much vulgar language? I don't remember, but I'd be surprised if anyone got fined for a heated rant without cursing too much. To compare the way people can get away with conducting themselves in a presser as opposed to in a meeting between big time partners is silly to me. I am very uncomfortable with the slope we're on as far as political correctness towards certain groups, and homosexuals are one of those groups. By my calculations, at the descent we're currently on, by September of 2017, it will be considered bigoted homophobia to not give a gay person a daily hand job. I would like for us to slow down before we reach that point. I think we should've stopped somewhere around general tolerance and fair treatment of all people. I never hoped to get to the point where we need Webster's to come out with a dictionary of words and phrases we cannot say, that is seemingly as big as their normal one.

[nuts4xu]

And he could have just wrote out niggas. Everyone knows that if you use the "a" and not the "er" that it's not offensive.

Are you sure white people can freely use the word "niggas"? This has always confused me. I have black friends that have used the word to describe me, in the same sense as they would use it with their black friends. But it seems the word is not always well received in a group of unfamiliar african americans, especially when said by a cracker ass cracker like me.

Do we have any people of color that can share their thoughts on the subject?

[Muskie]

Meanwhile Born Ready partied it up in strip club after the loss (link (http://www.tmz.com/2013/06/06/lance-stephenson-indiana-pacers-miami-strip-club-photos/))

[LA Muskie]

Are you sure white people can freely use the word "niggas"? This has always confused me. I have black friends that have used the word to describe me, in the same sense as they would use it with their black friends. But it seems the word is not always well received in a group of unfamiliar african americans, especially when said by a cracker ass cracker like me.

Do we have any people of color that can share their thoughts on the subject?
I'm just a white guy, but I have some insight into this issue from several friends who are not. I have come to this conclusion: white people use the N word -- in all forms -- at their own peril. They should be especially careful when drugs or alcohol is involved, because their judgment can be significantly affected in those circumstances.

I choose to avoid all risk. Hell, I painfully and uncomfortably avoid even referring to skin color or other far more innocuous indicators of race when physically describing someone of color, because I still don't know what the acceptable forms of description are.

[STL_XUfan]

I'm just a white guy, but I have some insight into this issue from several friends who are not. I have come to this conclusion: white people use the N word -- in all forms -- at their own peril. They should be especially careful when drugs or alcohol is involved, because their judgment can be significantly affected in those circumstances.

I choose to avoid all risk. Hell, I painfully and uncomfortably avoid even referring to skin color or other far more innocuous indicators of race when physically describing someone of color, because I still don't know what the acceptable forms of description are.

If anyone has read mark Titus's (aka clubtrillion) book "don't put me in coach" he has a great chapter on this problem.