1993-2011…Then and Now
by Dave Pallone on April 13, 2011
On April 15, 1993 the headline for a story in the Chicago Tribune was the following:
COMMENTS IRK GAYS…
Former National League umpire Dave Pallone and the New York Chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation are demanding an apology from Bobby Bonilla for using the word “faggot” in his locker room tirade against New York Daily News sports writer Bob Klapisch last Saturday.
Last night, almost 18 years to the day, the word ‘Faggot’ was used by another prominent athlete to voice his displeasure over something he disagreed with. In 1993, Bobby Bonilla used it toward a sports writer, and last night Kobe Bryant used it toward a referee. Both men apologized, and both men acted in the same way…let the PR person of their respective team issue the apology for them. Why not on national TV Kobe? Just as your game was on national TV last night, you should be man enough to apologize on national TV!! Bobby Bonilla went on national TV to explain what he did, after I and others demanded he apologize. His explanation was appalling. Appearing on the nationally syndicated talk show, ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’, he explained that he meant no harm in using the word. Paraphrasing what he said to Arsenio…’it’s like me calling you a Niger on the basketball court, it’s the same thing’…his words not mine!! I was appalled then that he felt that using either word was ok, and I am appalled now, after 18 years, how much the word ‘faggot’ is still being used!
I am a fan of Kobe Bryant, as are many, and I mean many young people and adults, some of whom happened to be gay. Yes, he has made other mistakes as a human being, one I can think of happened right here in Colorado. His recent ‘mistake’ might be an aberration. However he should take responsibility for it, and he should not just issue a statement as he has done (see below), but he needs to do this as prominently as he did when using the slur!
“What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.” Kobe Bryant
Public figures, such as Kobe Bryant, must understand that there actions, along with their words are seen and heard by all. Words hurt…they hurt the young, the old, the straight, the gay, the black, the white, and all those in between. We must remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King…”Hate is easy, love takes courage”.
1993-2011…we have come a long way since then, but just not far enough.
Thanks for reading and remember,
Never Strike Out!
Peace
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