He Just Can’t Win

In some ways you just have to feel sorry for Tim Hardaway. I mean the guy opened his mouth, stuck his foot in it, and now even the anti gay folk are pissed at him. You have to wonder what it was that posessed him to call in to a talk show and spew his venom like that, and then not expect the repercussions.

“You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people,” he said while a guest on Sports Talk 790 The Ticket. “I’m homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States.” (story)

Mr Hardaway is entitled to his opinions and to even say them on radio if he wishes. It helps to illustrate just how homophobic the USA really is, and how little has changed over the years. Funny thing that Mr Hardaway seemed to have forgotten was that not all that long ago in American History, his attitude about Gays was the general attitude of many folks down in the Southern United States.

In fact, they were so anti-black that they would use them for target practise at times, or if they were in a really foul mood, they would lynch people of Mr Hardaway’s color. Course things have changed, and today anyone daring to use the ‘n’ word or to promote hatred based on color of skin would be held accountable to a high degree. Just ask Michael Richards of Seinfeld fame. (see Gay Talk)

I suppose it is simply that Mr Hardaway doesn’t remember Black History too well. Like how it was for black kids when integration was enforced in schools. White kids didn’t want black kids on their team either, and they used the same stupid reasons that Tim Hardaway used for why he wouldn’t want a gay guy on his team. He might have indeed been a great basketball player, but maybe he should have stayed awake in school more.

“Something has to give,” Hardaway said. “If you have 12 other ballplayers in your locker-room that’s upset and can’t concentrate and always worried about him in the locker-room or on the court or whatever, it’s going to be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate.” (story)

Having been on the receiving end of such bigotry, (see Gay Talk ‘Battles Lost’) it is hard to fathom why so many are obsessed by Homosexuality in their life. I mean it isn’t like we are about to gang rape them or force them to turn to our way of life, so what is the beef? Is it that they need someone who is different than them to use as a scapegoat for their own inadiquecies or what? This is the thing about such hurtful things, it makes the victim wonder what they did wrong to garner such hatred.

Fact is, the victim didn’t do anything wrong. It is the abuser who is wrong, and it takes a long time to accept that. It doesn’t make it hurt any less, but at least one doesn’t beat themself up over and over again because of it. This is what racism does, it makes you feel things you shouldn’t, it makes you feel ashamed, when there is nothing to be ashamed of. Being Gay isn’t a choice, despite the rhetoric of some narrow minded bigots.

We are who we are.