Isn’t the term “gay” a derogatory term? I remember when it was. It still is when you misuse it contextually, but it is accepted when used “appropriately.” I get confused. But I’m not as confused as Kobe. Or as heated as he was when being tapped for a foul on Tuesday night while the Lakers held a 5 point lead over the San Antonio Spurs.
I’m not a Kobe fan–I more than appreciate his skills on the court, and think he’s probably a really nice fella, but I don’t know him any better than I do my USPS letter carrier. However, I have a few issues with this $100,000 fine for his use of a word, regardless of the word. For starters, using a derogatory term, regardless of what it is, doesn’t make someone homophobic, which is what many sports pundits are suggesting. Kobe used the word fa**ot.
Bryant immediately stated that his comments “do NOT reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”
Clearly he wasn’t hatefully insinuating that the official was homosexual, and that he hated him or was afraid of him if the official were. No, it wasn’t a good decision to use the word. As a matter of fact, it’s not good to refer to anything other than a bundle of small sticks or branches as a fa**ot/fa*ot, which is what a fa**ot/fa*ot is. Yeah? Not people. Sticks. We all on the same page here? I assume that the word fu*king, which Bryant used as an adjective to modify his use of the word fa**ot was just as offensive to many people. But therein lies the power of alliteration. The f’s just flow together. Stupid English slang–it’ll get you every time. It’s just best to avoid it.
So. David Stern issues a 100k fine for the use of this term, yet the NBA doesn’t issue fines for other derogatory terms, such as the “N-word?” I see/hear that one fly all the time.
Perhaps we should stop using all varieties of derogatory terms when addressing others, including the ones you want to call me in the comments section.
Comments
Kai
April 18th, 2011 - 9:25:18 PM
'Gay' has never been derogatory when referring to someone who is gay (at least not to my knowledge). Using it as a word meaning bad (and not directed at a person) is the offensive use.. The bundle of sticks f-word is pretty much the most offensive and derogatory gay-related word there is.. I agree completely that using it doesn't make him homophobic, but it is extremely offensive and so I agree with the fine.. The N word has always been a tricky one because of it's reclamation and use by some groups.. It's an insanely offensive word, but accepted by *some* of the same people who it might be directed at.. Same as queer for the gay community - Used to be derogatory, was reclaimed and embraced by the gay community and is often used now as a non-offensive term (something which I hope the N or F words never reach).
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