NBAPA Lawyer: Double standard exists regarding age limit for black basketball players and white athletes in other sports

[MotownMadness]

There is no measure that suggests blacks are above the rules, or have an unfair advantage in society. If you want race baiting, go look at what that scumbag Limbaugh had to say about SAE chant about lynching and excluding blacks. But sure, Sharpton is the problem.

From what I've seen of the women's rights movement, the lgbt movement, nothing short of relentless pressure will effect change. Blacks need a thousand Sharpton's a thousand Jesse Jackson's.

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/new-yor ... id/611457/

"Blacks" don't want one Al Sharpton.

And yes this is just one example but it is very indicative of his overall behaviour.
Do you really think the world needs a thousand of this type of person?

The issue racists have with Sharpton is that he will call out racists everywhere. He offers a voice where injustices are covered up. He may not be the hero people want, but he's the one people need. He's the only right now, with the voice big enough, to speak up and out for freedom.

No he's for the the black race and gains off stirring up racism out of everything. I don't see him anywhere when there is a hate crime of blacks killing someone who is white.

[ingvald]

If the age limit were dropped and more young, black players would be drafted into the league and a disproportionate number of older, black players would be out of the league. In short, no matter what the league and union agrees to- the policy would be considered racist by using the same logic.

[MotownMadness]

Neutral is clearly a racist, and brings nothing to this debate but racist agenda. Unless you want to get a history lesson from him just put him on ignore.

Yes put him on ignore if you want to remain an ignorant racist. Your true colors are showing.

You're a racist now for calling me a racist with no substance. Damn this is kinda fun.

[MotownMadness]

What's next, Affirmative Action for whites because there's too many blacks being drafted.

[Bill Bradley]

Dude, how can you really say that this society as a whole is racist when it's the same one that elected a black president two times in a row? A society who's largest percentage of people is white?

Every single measure suggests that racism is still alive and well. Look at Ferguson. Its still there, still systemic. What Obama's presidency shows me is that there is hope. As long as the will is there to change things, people will go along with it. However, racism and its denial are deeply rooted, and it will be difficult to uproot what was a founding tenet of America. With relentless pressure, things can change.

Irrelevant, what does Ferguson have to do with the NBA? You keep on bringing up past events in America to strengthen your racism agenda on the NBA . Is that you Sharpton?

As if Ferguson is "past events." Black people should just get over it, right? As if it isn't happening all over America all of the time. As if the recently completed investigation of Ferguson did not show rampant ongoing racism. Some of you guys have gone off the rails in your attempts to pretend that we don't live in a racist society. It's easy for you to pretend that racism doesn't exist if you don't experience it on a daily basis. But you have big balls if you think that you have the right to tell other people who live this experience that there is no such thing as racism because it is "in the past" or because we elected a black president. Completely absurd.

And how is this relevant to the NBA and topic at hand? It's because we can't separate the NBA from the society in which it exists and the systems in place. It's because it's a lot easier to get away with taking away opportunities from young black men, saying it's for their own good, than it is for young white men. The NBA has been trying to take the "thug" out of the NBA for years. Forcing them to go to college is just another way.

[Sixerscan]

Its age discrimination and its illegal. This has already been ruled on. The only reason why its permitted is because the union has agreed to these terms. That's the loophole the NBA is using. As for race, the NBA knows there will be no shortage of media and public support when it comes to limits placed on black people, especially financially. It's not a coincidence that this is only an issue in the 'blackest' sport. It's also not a coincidence when it comes to having blacks work for free, its appropriate and legal apparently for colleges to contact Lebrun's son at 10 for him to go and make money for others. This is American history, American culture.

Its ok to work for nothing but free room and board, and not enough food to not go to bed hungry. This is morally acceptable, financially acceptable in a supposed, capitalist country. How odd, how hypocritical.

I'm sorry but that's not a loophole, it's part of a negotiated contract.

That's like saying the NBA teams are exploiting a loop hole by not paying anyone more than a max contract allowed by the CBA, or the players are exploiting a loophole by making the owners give them 51% of BRI rather than 49% or making the league pay their pensions or something.

If the players want a lower age limit, or no cap on contracts, or pensions, then they should negotiate for it. Same goes for the owners.

I also want to point out that this age limit wasn't put in place during the 1950s or something. It happened in 2006.

[ingvald]

Bill's a white guy with strong opinions and self-proclaimed knowledge of racism who said white people can't have an strong opinions and knowledge of racism. [cognitive dissonance]

[ALL HAIL]

Ok so someone summarize to me real quick how this is another attack against the black man. That way I don't have to read through 28 pages of white man did this and that. Because right now this just sounds like one of the laziest attempts of the race card I've seen yet.

Let's make a deal. I'll agree to champion the cause of erasing the word "racist" (or "racism") from the English lexicon if you'll agree to do the same for the word "race card".

I'm pretty sure those two buzz words, by themselves, have the power to divide and interrupt any potential for understanding between our varying points of view.

I'm all about understanding and resolution--yeah, I'm still naive enough to believe in that, so if certain words are in OUR way, we should just stop using them.

Isn't that the reason why reasonable people don't use curse words In general conversation and/or debate? Weren't we told that there were "more intelligent" ways to articulate ourselves than by using curse words?

The same can be said of using the words "racist" and "race card". When these words are used, we may as well be cursing each other out ... and I just think we're all so much better than that.

Matter of fact, I know we are.

I pray that people can have the humility and absence of ego to dialogue and share while ALWAYS KNOWING THAT THEY COULD, AT ANYTIME, BE WRONG.

If we can't have this type of mutual humility, we will never have a chance at even the most minuscule amount of real understanding ... and shouldn't understanding be the primary reason for communication?

Makes sense, I guess they are just a giant racist corporation. And I will use whatever word I want to use to represent someone trying to use racism for gain. Race Card is a pretty nice word for that.

There you have it.

[wigglestrue]

There would be no shortage of people saying this 50 years ago, a hundred years ago, 200 years ago. And in another 50 years, this message will yet again be on the wrong side of history.

Abject fatalism is the new progressivism?

Hey, like, what if the tables have started to turn* and YOU'RE the one in the 50 years who'll be deemed dreadfully, sinfully wrong?

*Speaking of which, table-turning seems to be the left's only go-to move now re: achieving justice. "Hey! This dinner is rotten! And this table arrangement is unfair!" [Doesn't replace the spoiled food, just turns the table 180 degrees.] It's sad, like watching an ex-superstar robbed by age and complacency of what was once his world-class imaginativeness, competitiveness, and agility lazily performing a single simple post move over and over again and missing every time.

In fact it seems the current racist manifesto is to claim those who speak our against racism are racists themselves, or are responsible for creating racists. Its not clever.

Are you insinuating that I am a racist? I am not a racist. Being called that is the worst thing one can call a white person today, if the person is not racist. I suggest you either take better care of your language, or you explain at length and with precision why you think I'm racist. I did, to Bill. Bill hopefully understands what I am saying, why he is being racist. If not, I will elaborate as much as he wishes. But you don't just get to unload that implication out of nowhere without good reasons. Do you know me? No. What exactly have I said that prompted you to imply I'm racist?

Here's one quick and pretty consistent way to tell if you're racist or not: If you encounter someone you've never met and based merely on what race they are you feel sure you already know things about their life and personality, anything, then you are probably a racist. Not a dictionary definition, but a reliable indicator in my experience.

[Bill Bradley]

Bill's a white guy with strong opinions and self-proclaimed knowledge of racism who said white people can't have an strong opinions and knowledge of racism. [cognitive dissonance]

I've said throughout this thread that I have actually talked to black people and listened to and tried to understand the black perspective when it comes to race. I suggest everybody does this- really listen instead of defending yourself or pretending racism doesn't exist. I never said white people can't have strong opinions or knowledge about racism. I have simply said that we can't fully understand the experience of being black in America if we have not lived it ourselves.

If you want to understand racism, listen to the perspectives of those who experience it. It seems that few people who have posted here have really done that. Mostly they're just denying that racism even exists.

[DemoleDemolezan]

There is no measure that suggests blacks are above the rules, or have an unfair advantage in society. If you want race baiting, go look at what that scumbag Limbaugh had to say about SAE chant about lynching and excluding blacks. But sure, Sharpton is the problem.

From what I've seen of the women's rights movement, the lgbt movement, nothing short of relentless pressure will effect change. Blacks need a thousand Sharpton's a thousand Jesse Jackson's.

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/new-yor ... id/611457/

"Blacks" don't want one Al Sharpton.

And yes this is just one example but it is very indicative of his overall behaviour.
Do you really think the world needs a thousand of this type of person?

The issue racists have with Sharpton is that he will call out racists everywhere. He offers a voice where injustices are covered up. He may not be the hero people want, but he's the one people need. He's the only right now, with the voice big enough, to speak up and out for freedom.

Did you just quote a Batman movie?
So people who have issues with Sharpton are by default racists? What about the family in the article? Did you even read it? If you cared to listen you would find out that alot of black people really do not like him. If really you think he's speaking out for freedom and not his own interests then I feel sorry for you.

[MotownMadness]

Every single measure suggests that racism is still alive and well. Look at Ferguson. Its still there, still systemic. What Obama's presidency shows me is that there is hope. As long as the will is there to change things, people will go along with it. However, racism and its denial are deeply rooted, and it will be difficult to uproot what was a founding tenet of America. With relentless pressure, things can change.

Irrelevant, what does Ferguson have to do with the NBA? You keep on bringing up past events in America to strengthen your racism agenda on the NBA . Is that you Sharpton?

As if Ferguson is "past events." Black people should just get over it, right? As if it isn't happening all over America all of the time. As if the recently completed investigation of Ferguson did not show rampant ongoing racism. Some of you guys have gone off the rails in your attempts to pretend that we don't live in a racist society. It's easy for you to pretend that racism doesn't exist if you don't experience it on a daily basis. But you have big balls if you think that you have the right to tell other people who live this experience that there is no such thing as racism because it is "in the past" or because we elected a black president. Completely absurd.

And how is this relevant to the NBA and topic at hand? It's because we can't separate the NBA from the society in which it exists and the systems in place. It's because it's a lot easier to get away with taking away opportunities from young black men, saying it's for their own good, than it is for young white men. The NBA has been trying to take the "thug" out of the NBA for years. Forcing them to go to college is just another way.

Wow, I just feel sorry for some of you. I've worked and gone to school with many almost all black people. And one thing I've learned is using racism is nothing more then a way of gain. Some people would rather just sit on their asses (black and white) and just talk about how unfair everything is because they can't get a handout. Ferguson is a case of a cop shooting a man. Whether he had the right or not we may never know. The racist factor gets huge hype through the media and guys like Sharpton for gain. I'm not saying America is perfect and racism doesn't exist but you're blind if you don't think there's just as many black racist as white. Hell go to Africa sometime and see how bad they are to their own people over there. I mean my god I live right next to Detroit, Do you know how many killings of black on white I watch everyday on the news that make Ferguson look like nothing. But there's nothing for the media and Sharpton to gain so it's just another event and another day.

[Bill Bradley]

Irrelevant, what does Ferguson have to do with the NBA? You keep on bringing up past events in America to strengthen your racism agenda on the NBA . Is that you Sharpton?

As if Ferguson is "past events." Black people should just get over it, right? As if it isn't happening all over America all of the time. As if the recently completed investigation of Ferguson did not show rampant ongoing racism. Some of you guys have gone off the rails in your attempts to pretend that we don't live in a racist society. It's easy for you to pretend that racism doesn't exist if you don't experience it on a daily basis. But you have big balls if you think that you have the right to tell other people who live this experience that there is no such thing as racism because it is "in the past" or because we elected a black president. Completely absurd.

And how is this relevant to the NBA and topic at hand? It's because we can't separate the NBA from the society in which it exists and the systems in place. It's because it's a lot easier to get away with taking away opportunities from young black men, saying it's for their own good, than it is for young white men. The NBA has been trying to take the "thug" out of the NBA for years. Forcing them to go to college is just another way.

Wow, I just feel sorry for some of you. I've worked and gone to school with many almost all black people. And one thing I've learned is using racism is nothing more then a way of gain. Some people would rather just sit on their asses (black and white) and just talk about how unfair everything is because they can't get a handout. Ferguson is a case of a cop shooting a man. Whether he had the right or not we may never know. The racist factor gets huge hype through the media and guys like Sharpton for gain. I'm not saying America is perfect and racism doesn't exist but you're blind if you don't think there's just as many black racist as white. Hell go to Africa sometime and see how bad they are to their own people over there. I mean my god I live right next to Detroit, Do you know how many killings of black on white I watch everyday on the news that make Ferguson look like nothing. But there's nothing for the media and Sharpton to gain so it's just another event and another day.

And with this quote I'm out of here. I'm just quoting you so you can't delete it.

[DemoleDemolezan]

Bill's a white guy with strong opinions and self-proclaimed knowledge of racism who said white people can't have an strong opinions and knowledge of racism. [cognitive dissonance]

I've said throughout this thread that I have actually talked to black people and listened to and tried to understand the black perspective when it comes to race. I never said white people can't have strong opinions or knowledge about racism. I have simply said that we can't fully understand the experience of being black in America if we have not lived it ourselves.

If you want to understand racism, listen to the perspectives of those who experience it. It seems that few people who have posted here have really done that. Mostly they're just denying that racism even exists.

Wow! Bill has actually talked to black people. That is some pretty amazing stuff. No wonder you are so well versed on the topic of racism. Clearly, no one should have a problem with you being the spokesperson for all POC on RealGM.

[Bill Bradley]

Bill's a white guy with strong opinions and self-proclaimed knowledge of racism who said white people can't have an strong opinions and knowledge of racism. [cognitive dissonance]

I've said throughout this thread that I have actually talked to black people and listened to and tried to understand the black perspective when it comes to race. I never said white people can't have strong opinions or knowledge about racism. I have simply said that we can't fully understand the experience of being black in America if we have not lived it ourselves.

If you want to understand racism, listen to the perspectives of those who experience it. It seems that few people who have posted here have really done that. Mostly they're just denying that racism even exists.

Wow! Bill has actually talked to black people. That is some pretty amazing stuff. No wonder you are so well versed on the topic of racism. Clearly, no one should have a problem with you being the spokesperson for all POC on RealGM.

I suggest you do it more often yourself. Maybe even read a book or two on the topic. I have published them myself as a book publisher and worked closely with black activist authors.

Whenever you're talking about any social justice issue- racism, feminism, homophobia, etc. you have to really try to understand the perspective of those who experience the injustice. Otherwise, you're just coming from a place of privilege and are not adding anything to the conversation other than ignorance.

This seems obvious- listen to those who experience racism. But yet you seem to have never done so, despite all of your travels throughout Asia

[Neutral 123]

Its age discrimination and its illegal. This has already been ruled on. The only reason why its permitted is because the union has agreed to these terms. That's the loophole the NBA is using. As for race, the NBA knows there will be no shortage of media and public support when it comes to limits placed on black people, especially financially. It's not a coincidence that this is only an issue in the 'blackest' sport. It's also not a coincidence when it comes to having blacks work for free, its appropriate and legal apparently for colleges to contact Lebrun's son at 10 for him to go and make money for others. This is American history, American culture.

Its ok to work for nothing but free room and board, and not enough food to not go to bed hungry. This is morally acceptable, financially acceptable in a supposed, capitalist country. How odd, how hypocritical.

I'm sorry but that's not a loophole, it's part of a negotiated contract.

That's like saying the NBA teams are exploiting a loop hole by not paying anyone more than a max contract allowed by the CBA, or the players are exploiting a loophole by making the owners give them 51% of BRI rather than 49% or making the league pay their pensions or something.

If the players want a lower age limit, or no cap on contracts, or pensions, then they should negotiate for it.

I also want to point out that this age limit wasn't put in place during the 1950s or something. It happened in 2006.

Well we can agree to disagree on whether its a loophole. It can only be legal in this framework of contract between union and NBA. Personally, I don't think it should be allowable either way. It was negotiated, but a concession on the part of the union, and one that the union swallowed, at least in part, because the idea that these young black men don't need to be making so much money so soon, or preferably at all, that these young men need to go to college, need to be protected by taking wealth from them, is a pretty old and established attitude in the U.S.

The NBA is exploiting America's racism for their own gains. It's a double standard, and one that exists because of racism.

[DemoleDemolezan]

I've said throughout this thread that I have actually talked to black people and listened to and tried to understand the black perspective when it comes to race. I never said white people can't have strong opinions or knowledge about racism. I have simply said that we can't fully understand the experience of being black in America if we have not lived it ourselves.

If you want to understand racism, listen to the perspectives of those who experience it. It seems that few people who have posted here have really done that. Mostly they're just denying that racism even exists.

Wow! Bill has actually talked to black people. That is some pretty amazing stuff. No wonder you are so well versed on the topic of racism. Clearly, no one should have a problem with you being the spokesperson for all POC on RealGM.

I suggest you do it more often yourself. Maybe even read a book or two on the topic. I have published them myself as a book publisher and worked closely with black activist authors.

Whenever you're talking about any social justice issue- racism, feminism, homophobia, etc. you have to really try to understand the perspective of those who experience the injustice. Otherwise, you're just coming from a place of privilege and are not adding anything to the conversation other than ignorance.

This seems obvious- listen to those who experience racism. But yet you seem to have never done so, despite all of your travels throughout Asia

and you know I haven't done any of that because....?
Do you have a link to said book. I am honestly curious.

[Bill Bradley]

Wow! Bill has actually talked to black people. That is some pretty amazing stuff. No wonder you are so well versed on the topic of racism. Clearly, no one should have a problem with you being the spokesperson for all POC on RealGM.

I suggest you do it more often yourself. Maybe even read a book or two on the topic. I have published them myself as a book publisher and worked closely with black activist authors.

Whenever you're talking about any social justice issue- racism, feminism, homophobia, etc. you have to really try to understand the perspective of those who experience the injustice. Otherwise, you're just coming from a place of privilege and are not adding anything to the conversation other than ignorance.

This seems obvious- listen to those who experience racism. But yet you seem to have never done so, despite all of your travels throughout Asia

and you know I haven't done any of that because....?
Do you have a link to said book. I am honestly curious.

http://www.amazon.com/Circles-Compassio ... 1940184061

[Neutral 123]

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/new-yor ... id/611457/

"Blacks" don't want one Al Sharpton.

And yes this is just one example but it is very indicative of his overall behaviour.
Do you really think the world needs a thousand of this type of person?

The issue racists have with Sharpton is that he will call out racists everywhere. He offers a voice where injustices are covered up. He may not be the hero people want, but he's the one people need. He's the only right now, with the voice big enough, to speak up and out for freedom.

Did you just quote a Batman movie?
So people who have issues with Sharpton are by default racists? What about the family in the article? Did you even read it? If you cared to listen you would find out that alot of black people really do not like him. If really you think he's speaking out for freedom and not his own interests then I feel sorry for you.

Read it for what? We already know why a lot of people take issue with Sharpton. They do not like the fact that he stands up for cases of racial injustice. He's called a race baiter. People like Al help push things forward. If it wasn't for agitators, freedom fighters like Al, blacks would still have to sneak in the back door of vet offices to get dental treatment, because that is what was deemed 'fair' and just to many whites not that long ago. He won't be celebrated in the same vein as Lincoln, or Ghandi, but he should be.

[ingvald]

http://www.amazon.com/Circles-Compassio ... 1940184061

That shed more than enough light on where you fall on the political spectrum, not just this issue but many others.

Thanks.

I'm done.