Allen Iverson controversy?

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by NUPE4LIFE:
I agree in freedom of speech. However if you slightly condemned John Rocker for his words, you can't support Iverson. I feel that a lot of times we as Blacks look the other way when our own people make discriminatory or racial comments. We often laugh. I know many of you have gone to a comedy show where our own comedians have said something offensive. But as soon as a White person says something slightly offensive, we cry foul. Remember when Ross Perot referred to us as "YOU PEOPLE"? Think about and let it marinate in your mind.

Peace

So true, so true......Let me ask the "Leave Allen alone" crowd....what did you think of John Rocker's remarks and his 'punishment'?

[Lil' bit]

Hello once again Sorors, Frat, and Sisterfriends.. I agree that the NBA see's AI as a representative of that league. And I do agree that any organization has rules and regulations that one should abide. However, an organizations regulations may not usurp the Constitution. If one is fired from a position, they can not technically be fired for something they constitutionally have a right to do. Generally, although we may know the "real" reason for a person being fired, the reason will be framed in a way where Constitutional Rights are not violated. In this day and age, there are so many things that are controversal that it is understandable why an organization would want to regulate certain behaviors, actions, and speech.. However, individuals still have that 1st Amendment Protection. Moreover, these are always going to be issues that will never completely be fixed because there are so many opinions as to what "really" constitutes free speech and what is speech that can sometimes be regulated, such as hate speech..... Just my .08...

[Discogoddess]

I can't speak on all organizations, but I do know that in several organizations I belong to, including AKA, one may not just say and do whatever one wants, under the banner of the organization. So, if Allen Iverson wants to trade off his NBA fame to market his rap CD, he must abide by the codes of conduct set forth by the organization, or risk censure by the group.

For example, I can't set out a sign in my work cubicle that states "God hates (fill in the blank)" or something like that, because I work for a private entity with rules and regulations that prohibit that type of speech. I could go post that in my car, but if it's on company property, they have the right to tell me to take it down.

If I wanted to pose nude for Playboy in my AKA paraphenalia, you can rest assured that Soror Norma White and the rest of the Directorate would have something to say about it! Why? Because when I promised to uphold AKA, I agreed to certain rules of behavior, and even if they weren't specifically named during the time I made the promise, I'm sure that the organization would point to the "spirit of the law" when reprimanding me for my behavior. Of course, Allen I. is free to challenge the NBA in a court of law, but the NBA is also free to relieve him of his duties of employment.

The difference between Mr. Iverson embarking on a rap career now as opposed to before he became a basketball star is that 1.) He is using his NBA noteriety to increase the success of his rap pursuits and 2.) The NBA would have the right not to employ him in the first place if he were already a rap star whose lyrics the league found offensive. They don't HAVE to give him a job, just because he's talented (see any connections, sorors?), if they find his character to be unsavory.

Now of course, most of this (about character) meansnothing to the league and other sports entities, because they could give a rat's butt about character, except as it pertains to making money.

DoggyStyle: I can't see how Reggie White's speech could be anti-gay yet not hateful...if remarks or behavior are "anti-something," doesn't that dictate that it's hateful, offensive, rude?

All: People can say/do what they want, but that doesn't mean that other individuals or organizations have to accept/put up with it!

[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited October 17, 2000).]

[BrandNubian]

Well said Discogoddess!!!

Peace Love and Progression,
B.N.

------------------
"We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the
dove, a tough mind with a tender heart."

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Professor]

"If I wanted to pose nude for Playboy in my AKA paraphenalia, . . ."

Sister Discogoddess:

If you have any personal pictures that you want to share P L E A S E hit me back (lol)!

[onesavvydiva]

***Slapping Professor's hands!***

DOWN BOY!!!!

[DoggyStyle82]

DISCOGODDESS: just for clarification, Reggie Whites' remarks were seen as anti-gay by activists and the political correct crowd when he was giving a faith-based speech (he is a pastor) to a public audience. They really were not because he was actually speaking on forgiveness and compassion. But the rest of your post was right on point. Professor, I got the pics and that ivy leaf didn't leave much to the imagination!!! lol

[Discogoddess]

LOL @ Professor!

[AKA2D '91]

I thought it would be appropriate to bring this to the top (SEARCHING). With all the hype going on with the finals and all.

Boy, look at how one's persona or "image" can "change", so to speak in less than ONE year!

OH BOY!