Inappropriate Statement made by one of our members

[arden_05]

morrison is teh best one i've seen.. .redick.. no...

i agree...JJ looks like he's black with those huge lips...

This is the statement posted by the above board member...as a black man I find this statement highly offensive. I wanted to bring this member and his statement to attention of the community as Im sure this is not advocated or tolerated by this forum or its members. This is a global forum. All of the members here are from many ethic backgrounds. This ability to communicate with people from all over the world...is one of the many things I like about this forum. We are all citizens of this world and should respect each other as such. This member (i don't even want to type his name right now) owes it to everyone not just the black(African-Americans) members of this forum, but to all members of this community a big apology...I've never seen such a blatantly ignorant statement on this forum...YOU owe everyone an apology...

[bigh0rt]

I've responded to the thread... but does this need to be in Announcements??

[arden_05]

Yeah actually it should and I wasn't looking for a response....but everyone needs to know...that this shouldn't be tolerated....but maybe you can't understand the importance of this statemen or simply cant relate...but ignorance like this should be brought to the light...if something like this goes unnoticed then next thing you know someone is talking about another ethnic group, which would then ruin the morale of the forum...This should be taken care of now....I frequent these forums almost everyday and I won't come here if I keep seeing statements like this...your blinded i see

[cklitsie]

One word: sad.
Oh wait a second one came up in my mind: wanker.

[Chris.]

lol if you have a problem with what he's saying then shouldn't you pm him or maybe a mod or post in in moderator request but not nba live 06 announcements

[benji]

Oh good darko. This is the silliest thing I've seen in hours. First of all, there is absolutely no reason for this to be in announcements.

And there are about ten billion worse things he could've said.

If the forumers are going to start lynch mobs to make people apologize for saying potentially stupid things or for things that offended people then everyone should just apologize ahead of time and save everybody a lot of time and the forum a lot of bandwidth.

If you're being offended by THAT (or tt) then you really really really need to lighten up. Especially if you're being offended by that on an internet forum where someone was describing how a patch (I assume) looks.

And to think I was forgetting why I don't post on internet forums like I used to...

[bigh0rt]

Yeah actually it should and I wasn't looking for a response....but everyone needs to know...that this shouldn't be tolerated....but maybe you can't understand the importance of this statemen or simply cant relate...but ignorance like this should be brought to the light...if something like this goes unnoticed then next thing you know someone is talking about another ethnic group, which would then ruin the morale of the forum...This should be taken care of now....I frequent these forums almost everyday and I won't come here if I keep seeing statements like this...your blinded i see

Hey, let's not get all holier than thou, now. You have no clue what race I am; just as I'm sure c0nr4d had no race you were (and he didn't even make a direct claim at you as you did me). I've stated in 2 places now I disagree with what was said, and fully agree that it can't be tolerated. But, maybe YOU don't understand, that matters such as this are often best taken care of quietly. A PM to Andrew or even c0nr4d himself saying "Hey man, that's real offensive and short-sighted of you to say. We're beyond stereotypes like that in 2006, I would hope." would've led to the post being edited or deleted, and we wouldn't have an entire new thread on the issue. Instead, I see this blowing up into a large racism/ignorance issue that it shouldn't have to become, because you brought it to the forefront. I'd like to keep these forums a nice, happy place to visit, which is why reaction posting (which is clearly what you did) doesn't help anything. Sometimes you have to consider what the proper course of action is, even if you are offended to a large degree, which you should be in this instance.

Again, I am in no way defending what was said. I think it should be removed immediately, if not sooner, and if I had the power I'd do it myself. However, that does not make your reaction, or starting another thread here in Announcements the correct course of action.

Ya get my drift, or am I still 'blinded' and 'simply can't relate' as you claimed??

[bigh0rt]

Oh good darko. This is the silliest thing I've seen in hours. First of all, there is absolutely no reason for this to be in announcements.

And there are about ten billion worse things he could've said.

If the forumers are going to start lynch mobs to make people apologize for saying potentially stupid things or for things that offended people then everyone should just apologize ahead of time and save everybody a lot of time and the forum a lot of bandwidth.

If you're being offended by THAT (or tt) then you really really really need to lighten up. Especially if you're being offended by that on an internet forum where someone was describing how a patch (I assume) looks.

And to think I was forgetting why I don't post on internet forums like I used to...

Easy, now. It's well within arden's rights to be offended about whatever he feels necessary, and this is certainly an instance where I can see taking offense. I doubt you'd be giddy about somebody making a stereotypical physical claim about you or your ethnic background, so let's give that a rest.

The issue here is the actions taken; not the feelings that were riled up.

[arden_05]

You guys have got to be kidding You know what... Mods please shut this down...i understand whats going on here, an issue is brought to your face and you dont want to see or here it...because it has nothing to do with you or your interest...says alot about some of the members here...you know its not a "black thing" its an everyone thing...But some of you are really missing the point...

[arden_05]

Yeah actually it should and I wasn't looking for a response....but everyone needs to know...that this shouldn't be tolerated....but maybe you can't understand the importance of this statemen or simply cant relate...but ignorance like this should be brought to the light...if something like this goes unnoticed then next thing you know someone is talking about another ethnic group, which would then ruin the morale of the forum...This should be taken care of now....I frequent these forums almost everyday and I won't come here if I keep seeing statements like this...your blinded i see

Hey, let's not get all holier than thou, now. You have no clue what race I am; just as I'm sure c0nr4d had no race you were (and he didn't even make a direct claim at you as you did me). I've stated in 2 places now I disagree with what was said, and fully agree that it can't be tolerated. But, maybe YOU don't understand, that matters such as this are often best taken care of quietly. A PM to Andrew or even c0nr4d himself saying "Hey man, that's real offensive and short-sighted of you to say. We're beyond stereotypes like that in 2006, I would hope." would've led to the post being edited or deleted, and we wouldn't have an entire new thread on the issue. Instead, I see this blowing up into a large racism/ignorance issue that it shouldn't have to become, because you brought it to the forefront. I'd like to keep these forums a nice, happy place to visit, which is why reaction posting (which is clearly what you did) doesn't help anything. Sometimes you have to consider what the proper course of action is, even if you are offended to a large degree, which you should be in this instance.

Again, I am in no way defending what was said. I think it should be removed immediately, if not sooner, and if I had the power I'd do it myself. However, that does not make your reaction, or starting another thread here in Announcements the correct course of action.

Ya get my drift, or am I still 'blinded' and 'simply can't relate' as you claimed??

I see you b-hort(point taken)....you have nothing to prove to me...but anyway mods if you read this close and remove the thread....Im finished with this...if this is common place here then let it be...its only an internet forum right...

[arden_05]

Oh good darko. This is the silliest thing I've seen in hours. First of all, there is absolutely no reason for this to be in announcements.

And there are about ten billion worse things he could've said.

If the forumers are going to start lynch mobs to make people apologize for saying potentially stupid things or for things that offended people then everyone should just apologize ahead of time and save everybody a lot of time and the forum a lot of bandwidth.

If you're being offended by THAT (or tt) then you really really really need to lighten up. Especially if you're being offended by that on an internet forum where someone was describing how a patch (I assume) looks.

And to think I was forgetting why I don't post on internet forums like I used to...

Easy, now. It's well within arden's rights to be offended about whatever he feels necessary, and this is certainly an instance where I can see taking offense. I doubt you'd be giddy about somebody making a stereotypical physical claim about you or your ethnic background, so let's give that a rest.

The issue here is the actions taken; not the feelings that were riled up.

Ok so its done then...not a battle worth debating or fighting...so please once again mods remove this thread...

[Null17]

The thing is, you seem to ignore the first thing that everyone's been saying. THIS ISN'T AN NBA LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Back to the issue, I know it was quite racist but you're blowing everything right out of proportion. You make it sound like he's in the KKK or something

[bigh0rt]

You guys have got to be kidding You know what... Mods please shut this down...i understand whats going on here, an issue is brought to your face and you dont want to see or here it...because it has nothing to do with you or your interest...says alot about some of the members here...you know its not a "black thing" its an everyone thing...But some of you are really missing the point...

I see you b-hort(point taken)....you have nothing to prove to me...but anyway mods if you read this close and remove the thread....Im finished with this...if this is common place here then let it be...its only an internet forum right... Rolling Eyes

Hey. My last post on the topic, I swear. Just to clarify... nobody (I hope, at least I'm not) is saying that this is commonplace, or even acceptable behavior. Nobody. You seem to be taking it as such, because we don't want to disrupt the actual purpose of the forum, to have a debate on racism. I said it's completely understandable that you feel the way you do, and I'd feel the exact same way. However, the course of actions that should've been taken were a personal PM to c0nr4d, or a PM to the moderators. That's what they're here for, and we don't use them and their powers nearly enough.

So, it's not that I'm missing any point. I teach in a public high school, and believe me, this is a real issue that I deal with every single day. I'm not ignorant to it, in the slightest. However, when something like this happens, you must soar above it, and take the appropriate course of actions towards rectifying the situation. Hopefully in the future:

a) statements like c0n's aren't made

and

b) if they are, we can fix them quickly, painlessly, and privately, as to limit those who are offended, etc. etc.

[arden_05]

You guys have got to be kidding You know what... Mods please shut this down...i understand whats going on here, an issue is brought to your face and you dont want to see or here it...because it has nothing to do with you or your interest...says alot about some of the members here...you know its not a "black thing" its an everyone thing...But some of you are really missing the point...

I see you b-hort(point taken)....you have nothing to prove to me...but anyway mods if you read this close and remove the thread....Im finished with this...if this is common place here then let it be...its only an internet forum right... Rolling Eyes

Hey. My last post on the topic, I swear. Just to clarify... nobody (I hope, at least I'm not) is saying that this is commonplace, or even acceptable behavior. Nobody. You seem to be taking it as such, because we don't want to disrupt the actual purpose of the forum, to have a debate on racism. I said it's completely understandable that you feel the way you do, and I'd feel the exact same way. However, the course of actions that should've been taken were a personal PM to c0nr4d, or a PM to the moderators. That's what they're here for, and we don't use them and their powers nearly enough.

So, it's not that I'm missing any point. I teach in a public high school, and believe me, this is a real issue that I deal with every single day. I'm not ignorant to it, in the slightest. However, when something like this happens, you must soar above it, and take the appropriate course of actions towards rectifying the situation. Hopefully in the future:

a) statements like c0n's aren't made

and

b) if they are, we can fix them quickly, painlessly, and privately, as to limit those who are offended, etc. etc.

Understood...and I've done just that, it should be taken care of soon. Hmm Public School teacher huh...thats good stuff, keep the faith and keep educating I've had maybe a handful of good teachers that were quality people as well and they always stand out in my mind...hope you do the same Any way the thread should be closed and deleted soon...its been handled accordingly

[benji]

I doubt you'd be giddy about somebody making a stereotypical physical claim about you or your ethnic background, so let's give that a rest.

Hell if I care. Especially on a stupid internet forum. For all you know he might have said something about my ethnic background too.

I can't believe you want to delete his comments or as you put it "fix it" and not allow such a comment to be made. I can't believe someone said that was "quite racist" as it was more like "slightly racist if read a certain way." But I really can't believe you're in favor of restricting speech just because someones feelings might get hurt if an idiot says something that could be construed as stupid.

Infact I'm offended by what you said.

I think it should be removed immediately, if not sooner, and if I had the power I'd do it myself.

So your comment probably should be removed immediately, if not sooner.

If we're going to restrict the speech of thousands because a couple of people were stupidly offended when someone said a patch had big lips and made a white player look like a black guy, then we really are in a sad state of affairs...

And you know what. I'll even go so far as to say. I'm saying allowing someone to post how they feel about a patch is VERY acceptable behavoir.

Ugh...public skewl teachers (takes one to really know one I guess)...I'd say something about it being stereotypical for a public skewl teacher to be in favor of stifling free expression because someone who's too uptight might feel bad about an off-hand remark they turned into a firestorm.

That they give up about an hour later when it's obvious how much of a joke they made themselves look like...

The issue here is the actions taken; not the feelings that were riled up.

I really hope the actions taken are the mods telling people to lighten up...

Yeah it's within Arden's freedoms to be stupidly offended, just like it should be within c0nr4d's freedoms to comment on how a patch looks to him. Even if some people only want someone to have the first freedom...

[Andreas Dahl]

First of all, moved to NLSC Issues.

Second of all, I think you're making a big fuzz about something that isn't something big at all. To say that a patch has big lips, thus making him look black, is just making a bad stereotype (at least in this case). I'm 100% sure Conrad didn't mean anything bad about his post at all. But don't get me wrong, I mean if someone would post a derogatory comment based on someones race, I wouldn't allow that; but if someone merely pointed out that a simple stereotype about a patch, I can't help but fell "so what?".
If Conrad edit his posts and/or apologizes for it, is up to him, but there's no way I'm gonna to make him do any of that. I do, however, understand that you can get the impression that it was a racist comment, tho it would be better if you just told Conrad that you thought it was racist and asked him to change it. If he refused to and told you to fuck off, then you could have told the admin/mod about it... Again, it's just my opinion on the matter that you made a big thing out of nothing. Worse stuff gets posted all the time and doesn't get taken serious.

Do you want the thread to be locked, or stay open for further debate?

[J@3]

I agree with Dahl on this, I mean come on, you're acting like he posted something like "Well he has big lips, kinda makes him look like a FUCKING UGLY N**GER, KILL THEM ALL!! WHITE POWER! WHITE POWER! etc" where he didn't, whatsoever. You would've been better off PM'ing Conrad or Andrew, or at the very least putting this thread in the right section to begin with. If you want an apology, PM him for it. If you want to whinge, grandstand and generally draw attention to yourself, by all means, make a thread like this in NBA Live Announcements.

Hell, I don't even know if Conrad's white himself.

[c0nr4d]

from the thread i wrote it in:

sry arden...i of course didnt mean to offend u...it doesnt matter to me what ppl look like, its just that I havent seen many people with big lips who were JJ's ethincity...i guess i didnt think anybody on the board took stuff literally and personally...

...and no, im not black

[Andrew]

Arden's indicated to me that he's done with the thread so for now I'll lock it. If anyone else feels more discussion is in order let me know and I'll open it back up and we'll see what kind of resolution we can come up with.

Personally, I don't believe c0nr4d's comments were meant maliciously or intended to be racist. That said, we should be careful because race is a touchy subject and tone isn't always easily detected through the written word, especially in a discussion forum. And on the same note, it's best to give each other a chance for clarification/explanation before making a big issue out of one comment, especially one that wasn't overtly racist.