Comments on: MLS is absolutely doing the right thing with its homophobia policy

By: mvktr2

mvktr2 — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:11:13 +0000

Let me be clear, the day such words become a hate crime with legal ramifications is the day I start using them. I am NOT for any restrictions upon free speech aside from obvious threats which carry the weight of coercion/threatened violence. Having said that I fully support MLS in their stance. Their job is to protect their brand however they see fit. As a private company they have every right to set whatever policy they deem necessary and all employees would have to agree to those guidelines. If MLS wanted to ban all people associated with the league from saying soccer, lemonade, or light-beer I’d agree with that also, it’s their prerogative. Tolerance is THE key characteristic of a free society. In that way we should all tolerate whatever comes our way that isn’t a direct physical threat, that just happens to include tolerating restrictions on certain actions when in someone else’s employ. If Burch or Clarke wanted to open up anti-gay themed stores as private businessmen I’d fully support their right to do so, I just wouldn’t be shopping there.

By: schlom

schlom — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 05:19:44 +0000

I’m not really sure I agree with this. Who judges what is offensive? Certain words may have more meaning than others. If one player calls another a “motherf***er” some may shrug it off while someone whose mother may have been raped and killed might find it extremely offensive, much more offensive than fag**t. And what if you aren’t a protected minorty? Are there certain words you can say to a white player than you couldn’t say to a Hispanic or black player? This just seems like it will lead to a slippery slope of random punishments.

By: geojock

geojock — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:17:59 +0000

I agree. MLS is during the right thing. We have to get the message out that these words are not acceptable. I will say that as fans we need to accept the punishment and not crucify these players. Many, if not most, have no I idea of the offensive nature of the F word. Having been in sports locker rooms at several different levels, I know that this word is thrown around quite casually so it’s not a surprise when it slips out on the field. Many of these athletics are just truly naive and not homophobes.