Racial slurs. I thought that maybe, just maybe, after the Riley Cooper incident early in the NFL season, football players would learn not to use racial slurs. I guess I was wrong.

Many think Richie Incognito should not be allowed to play another down in the NFL after the Jonathan Martin mess. By GMO66 (Flickr), via Wikimedia Commons

Incognito, who has had numerous off the field issues throughout his career, is known for being a “tough” guy. A recording of Incognito’s voicemail to Martin was released and showed that Incognito did indeed use racial slurs toward Martin and threatened him a few different times. When questioned about this other Miami Dolphin players have defended Incognito, saying that this is “normal” behavior that happens in the NFL. While some players may be okay with this happening, others aren’t and it needs to be dealt with.

Cameron Wake and Mike Wallace, presumably the two best players on each side of the ball for the Dolphins, defended Incognito and didn’t seem to have a problem with his comments towards Martin.

Both Wake and Wallace should be ashamed of themselves. My question is, how it is possible that two black teammates are alright with a white teammate calling another black teammate a racial slur? How does that happen? Especially in a league that was so hurt and shocked just a few months ago with Riley Cooper doing the same exact thing. Are they afraid of Incognito? Is it because Martin walked out on the team, something that is looked down on? Either way, it is wrong — very wrong. Not only did Incognito use a racial slur, he threatened someone’s’ life. Why was Cooper so scrutinized by other players while Incognito is being defended?

People can blame the coaches for what happened but I don’t care who is to blame for this happening, the fact of the matter is that it happened and needs to be dealt with. The Dolphins have already suspended Incognito indefinitely and I believe he should stay that way and never be allowed to play another down in the NFL. We are always trying to eliminate bullying in schools so why should it be allowed in professional sports? If this really is a “normal” action that happens in locker rooms all across the country, then the NFL really needs to be a leader here. It needs to take a look at itself in the mirror and change its ways.

The year is 2013.

But some things still haven’t changed and I had hoped it would have by now. I am talking about gay rights, racism and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation, skin color, or race. While I will admit that there has been obvious progress made in these areas, it isn’t enough.

Discrimination because of race or sexual orientation is stupid. My motto is judge a person by their personality and that’s all. Many people will ask where I am going with this since this is supposed to be a sports article but this is much more than just sports.

Recently Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper was caught on tape at a Kenny Chesney concert using a racist phrase and it has brought up much anger and sadness within the sports world and just society as a whole. Like many others, I was disgusted at what Cooper said and the aftermath, but for different reasons then people might think. In no way shape or form do I support Cooper’s comments because they were completely inappropriate and uncalled-for — I want to make that clear before I proceed.

Riley Cooper said some stupid things. He’s not the only one. By By Matthew Straubmuller (Flickr: Eagles vs Redskins), via Wikimedia Commons

In the aftermath of the comments, the Eagles have excused Cooper from team activities so that he could go to counseling for his actions and get help. While I have no problem with his counseling, my question and whole point is this: Why is he going to counseling for a racial slur but in the past when players use a gay slur all they do is get fined?

To me, and I think many others, using a gay slur is just as bad as a racist one so why is it that we as a society is making such a huge deal out of this situation but the same can’t be said when a gay slur is used? I wonder if Cooper had used a gay slur instead of a racial one, would it have been seen and dealt with differently? There have been many occurrences of gay slurs being used in recent years by other athletes but all that I’ve seen happen is a quick fine and people move on. Some notable slurs and insensitive comments include but are not limited to:

Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers earlier in 2013

Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks in 2012

Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons in 2012

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011

James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011

Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls in 2011

Above are just six different occurrences of athletes using a gay slur but I don’t remember anybody making as a big deal about it as they are currently with Cooper’s situation. Isn’t using a gay slur is just as inappropriate and disgusting as using a racial one? Recently NBA center Jason Collins came out as a professional athlete and was greeted to much love and support which was very nice to see but then that goes back to my point.

Why isn’t the use of gay slurs made into more of a big deal then they are?

In my opinion, the use of both racial and gay slurs not just in sports but in society as a whole should be dealt with in a much more strict manner so that in the future, people won’t be as ignorant and use them.

What do you think?

A shoe in for being chosen by the fans, his peers and coaches as an all-star, right?  Not quite.

Yao Ming was chosen as the starting Western Conference center by the fans, even though he hasn’t leaped for one jump-ball this season.  However, since Yao is injured, Love recieved the final all-star nod in his place.  If Yao weren’t injured, the league leader in rebounding and hustle would have been left off the all-star roster all-together.

This protocol of events is what disgusts me about the NBA all-star voting and selection process.  It has nothing to do with current palpable and measurable worth.  It only has to do with fan clubs, popularity and “bling.”

Why is this amazing talent not getting any respect league-wide? Is there even a racial undertone here? Because he is caucasian, isn’t “flashy” and doesn’t have his own ™ dance or strut, is he paying the price in the eyes of “the fans?”  If Love were an African-American, would we even be having this discussion?

I believe the answer is no.  He’d be one of the first selected.  I am not at all insensitive to the history of the plight of the African American in the United States, but it is evident that a certain amount of racism exists here.

The NBA is dominated by African Americans the same as Caucasians dominating American society is percieved.  Thus, the Caucasian is the same, if not worse off in the NBA than the African American is in today’s American society.

Anti-stereotype crusaders of racial equality need to realize in some instances it can undeniably be a two-way street.  Jackie Robinson it is not, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a particular amount of discrimination found when reading between the lines.

Bottom line:  “Black” or “White,” show Kevin some love already.