Jackson Says New Code is Racially Motivated

ComcastSportsnet ^ | Wednesday, October 19, 2005 | AP Wire

[WmCraven_Wk]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana guard Stephen Jackson believes the NBA's new ban on bling-bling is racially motivated, but says he will abide by the rules.

The NBA has announced that a dress code will go into effect at the start of the season. Players will be required to wear business-casual attire when involved in team or league business. They can't wear visible chains, pendants or medallions over their clothes.

Jackson, who is black, said the NBA's new rule about jewelry targets young black males because chains are associated with hip-hop culture, and he said the league is afraid of becoming "too hip-hop.'' In protest, he wore four chains to the Pacers' exhibition game against San Antonio on Tuesday night.

Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce agreed that the new rule targeted young, black players.

"When I saw the part about chains, hip hop and throwback jerseys, I think that's part of our culture,'' Pierce said. "The NBA is young black males.''

Philadelphia's Allen Iverson also was critical of the new rule, which the NBA made teams aware of in a memo Monday.

"I feel like if they want us to dress a certain way, they should pay for our clothes,'' he said. "It's just tough, man, knowing that all of a sudden you have to have a dress code out of nowhere. I don't think that's still going to help the image of the league at all.''

*snip*

[headsonpikes]

Oh I get it now, it's manly to slash your opponents throat on the ice. It's a good "manly" thing for kids to see "men" clutching their throat as blood spurts between their fingers.

Drama queen placemarker.

[bk1000]

"Is everything 'racially motivated' to these spoiled children?"

In a word, yes. I say let them holler racism. The more frivolity associated with the word the less impact it will have on society.

[LanPB01]

I tried to start an NBA fantasy league on FreeRepulic last year. That went over well. I probably would have received a more positive response to a thread promoting Air America.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They fit right in with the gangbanger community.

[LYSandra]

Paging Dr. Cosby...paging Dr. Cosby...

[thebaron512]

Should I throw some cotton around for you?







Sorry could not help it....;) Seriously, White Trash, Gang Bangers, whatever: there are people of all races that are just sad that they thrive or exist. Gangs don't do much for race relationships or Neo-Nazis for that matter.

[dsc]

"So to you on this thread, we've gone from being "niggers" to "gang bangers."

People select their clothing to project a message. Most usually that message is, "I'm pretty much like everybody else."

There are people of all races who select their clothing to project the message, "I am dangerous and violent. Fear me." Those people are acting wrongly. Their clothing is a psychological assault on innocent people.

When those people, having achieved their malicious objective, then turn around and cry "racism" at those who object, the hypocrisy runs deep in the gutters.

It happens here in Japan, too, and there is no racial component to it. These Japanese punks p*ss me off just as much as the loathesome hip-hop scum.

I don't really know what can be done about it though. The clothing is just the symptom; the real problem is with the worldview the clothes reflect.

[pepperdog]

Oh, grow up you whiny babies! Sports figures need to keep their mouths shut and abide by the manager's and owner's rules like the rest of the working people in this country do. If they don't like the rules they can always quit their overpaid, multimillion dollar jobs and get something more in line with their intellect.

[Howlin]

Evidently somebody didn't want to see that again. :-)

[blaquebyrd]

"What next... NASCAR drivers too many wrecks, where's the outrage... GOLFERS hitting their balls into the fans, where's the outrage."

I thought we were talking about sports?

[MarineBrat]

I haven't given a rats petoot about the NBA since the Bird/Magic years. Most of the players I've seen couldn't wash my dishes!

[darbymcgill]

I thought we were talking about sports?

Good point... Are fashion decisions considered cardio?

I guess if you drag around enough bling you could make the point you are actually working out....huh?.... maybe? ;)

[reagan_fanatic]

"When I saw the part about chains, hip hop and throwback jerseys, I think that's part of our culture,'' Pierce said. "The NBA is young black males.''

And where is the 'other' Jackson when it comes to addressing the huge disparity between the numbers of black players vs. white players in the NBA?

[EQAndyBuzz]

""When I saw the part about chains, hip hop and throwback jerseys, I think that's part of our culture,'' Pierce said. "The NBA is young black males.''"

Here's an idea. Quit basketball and use your college education and find a job. If you don't like what the boss tells you to wear, you are free to leave.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"I feel like if they want us to dress a certain way, they should pay for our clothes."

I agree. Each team goes out and buys each player a suit with the team logo on the pocket.

Works for me.

[Melas]

Lack of a dress code doesn't seem to hurt companies like Apple very much. Harley-Davidson likewise echews the suit and tie and last time I checked was doing ok.

[ctdonath2]

"I feel like if they want us to dress a certain way, they should pay for our clothes,''

They do. They give you a million plus bucks a year. Take $300, go down to Men's Wearhouse, and buy a suit.

[Melas]

Oh by all means we need stiff penalties for psychological assault with a deadly article of clothing. /sarcasm.

As a biker, I've more or less laughed throughout this entire thread. I really sympathise with these young black men, because I experience the same kind of prejudices daily.

[Texas2step]

Hockey is no more than the WWF with skates the only difference being that the blood is real.

You obviously haven't watched much NHL hockey in the last 8-9 years. Your comments are way off base if you think that "thuggery" in the NHL is accepted practice by the players, or by the fans. Might have been years ago, but it's not now.

Intentionally thuggery, such as the examples you listed, are railed against, and outrage is present. Does it still happen? Yes, but less so than it used to, and it's never considered "acceptable practices", and punishment is severe.

Hockey, believe it or not, is a dangerous sport, and people do get severely injured. However, 99% of the time, it's unintentional. Unfortunately, it's the 1% that gets the press, but outrage is definitely present when it does.

With the new rules in effect as of this season, there'll be even less of the "minor" incidents that have still be considered part of the game. Like I said, your NHL views are way off base.

[Texas2step]

It's a good "manly" thing for kids to see "men" clutching their throat as blood spurts between their fingers.

Another example of you not knowing what the h#ll you're talking about. I watch a lot of hockey, and cannot ever remember a situtation such as you've made up above.

Why don't you stick to things you're knowledgeable about, and leave the hockey comparisons to those who actually have watched NHL hockey in the last couple of decades?