It's amusing how all of these comments by people sitting behind computer screens are saying Jordan is all about Jordan, that he hasn't done anything for people off the court. Either people have forgotten all that he's done or they never knew. Do some research. Just because the guy has never worn a t-shirt or gotten on a mega phone to express himself doesn't mean he doesn't care or hasn't been involved. Comments sections are always full of ignorance and this one is no different.
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MJ present this way because he fears he could jeopardize his station in life. What he doesn't realize is that there were people who took risk so that he could be where is.
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It is simply because MJ has always been an adult - he knows when you front a business or a country, you lose the liberty to spout off on issues not affecting the business. This is what it means to be a grown-up (see the POTUS by way of example)
Unlike the child-like man-children of the NBA and WNBA - he doesn't take the easy path of wearing a shirt (wow - way to take stand) or tweeting out a misspelled comment that disappears in the morass of social media.
Unlike the child-like man-children of the NBA and WNBA - he doesn't take the easy path of wearing a shirt (wow - way to take stand) or tweeting out a misspelled comment that disappears in the morass of social media.
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So many commenters call Mr. Jordan a coward. They don't even know him. (They think they do.) Incredible.
These comments are based on the false assumption that when someone doesn't share one's beliefs, he's a coward?
How about this description of a coward? When someone who doesn't identify his proper name and/or home town and posts derogatory comments about others on sites like these.
These comments are based on the false assumption that when someone doesn't share one's beliefs, he's a coward?
How about this description of a coward? When someone who doesn't identify his proper name and/or home town and posts derogatory comments about others on sites like these.
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It is my understanding, as a Charlottean, that Michael Jordan and other prominent North Carolinians of good will attempted unsuccessfully to fashion some sort of compromise over HB2. I don't think a compromise is possible or even desirable. The only way to compromise would be to somehow diminish the rights of transgender persons. (An even worse part of HB2 prohibits cities in NC from adopting anti-discrimination ordinances that are more broad the narrow state law, and I don't think the state will willingly reverse that). IN my opinion this will just have to wind its way through the courts who likely will find HB2 to be unconstitutional. The we can have our NBA All-Star game here in Charlotte.
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Great ball player, coward when it comes to the important issues of life.
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When has he ever spoken up? Jordan, my favorite basketball player of all time, is all about Jordan. He could have spoken up so many times, but he hasn't. He's as disappointing as an ex-player, as he was inspiring as a player.
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MJ has had only one life-long interest--MJ
His acceptance speech for the BHA HOF was Trump-like in its tone and getting-even messages.
He was a great basketball player, perhaps the greatest. As a person, decidedly less so.
His acceptance speech for the BHA HOF was Trump-like in its tone and getting-even messages.
He was a great basketball player, perhaps the greatest. As a person, decidedly less so.
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I assume you mean he should be speaking out AGAINST the law. Although perhaps, like many Americans, he in fact supports it. But I suppose you never considered that.
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As the gentleman in another comment pointed out, Jordan is apolitical and has been consistently. That certainly is his right. However, given his status as black owner of an NBA team in a league that is predominately black, his voice matters a whole lot. He continues to be a fine role model for a lot of people of many cultures. If he were to speak, many would listen.
The issue is that a law has been passed that violates basic constitutional rights, in this case the right to use the same bathroom of your gender. I dare say that this is not too far removed from a similar situation in the South concerning bathrooms, water fountains and bus seats. Also, the decision to pull the All-Star Game from his arena puts the ball directly in his court, so to speak. Given those contexts, saying nothing is saying a lot.
Jordan may be apolitical, but shame of him for being amoral.
The issue is that a law has been passed that violates basic constitutional rights, in this case the right to use the same bathroom of your gender. I dare say that this is not too far removed from a similar situation in the South concerning bathrooms, water fountains and bus seats. Also, the decision to pull the All-Star Game from his arena puts the ball directly in his court, so to speak. Given those contexts, saying nothing is saying a lot.
Jordan may be apolitical, but shame of him for being amoral.
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It's a constitutional right for Mr. Jordan to speak out or not. Give the greatest player ever the same rights as everyone else.
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Surely you know, Bob, that what is Michael Jordan's right is not necessarily what is right. He's a self-centered coward. Everybody knows it. And yes, it's his right.
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Michael Jordon is NOT Adam Silver.
Jordon is about Jordon. Silver is about the NBA.
Sometimes a choice has to made, a position taken and, no, I'm not describing a post-up...
Jordon is about Jordon. Silver is about the NBA.
Sometimes a choice has to made, a position taken and, no, I'm not describing a post-up...
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MJ, probably the greatest basketballer of all time but not as big of a man - which is okay as maybe this is not his forte. But in my mind, that is why Ali was the greatest of all time - didn't care that he would lose the prime of his life for speaking out against issues he believed in.
Come on, MJ, for once do something to inspire or lead other people outside the court!
Come on, MJ, for once do something to inspire or lead other people outside the court!
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Great player. His principle$ are guided by ca$h.
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I'm confused by the statements coming from North Carolina business leaders. It HB2 wrong because it is discriminatory or because it is costing them money?
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All of us must never be afraid to stand up, to speak out, and to speak truth to power. Martin Luther King once said "In the end we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
Michael Jordan is not only famous in America, but he is all around the world as well. African Americans have experienced lynchings, their churches and homes being torched, their leaders beaten and murdered, their access to renting an apartment, buying a home, staying in a hotel, and eating at a restaurant denied. Their right to vote has been continually denied and suppressed.
There was a time in our nations history when Blacks could not sit where ever they wanted to on a bus, and when our nation used them as guinea pigs during the decades long Tuskeegee Experiment. It took a Presidential order to finally desegregate the military. Young unarmed Black men have been killed by the police all across our nation.
Michael Jordan cannot escape his peoples past or their present. He cannot, should not, and must not remain silent in the face of bigotry and hatred towards any person because of the color of their skin, their religious faith, the language they speak, whom they choose to love, or how they identify their gender.
When a person chooses to remain silent in the face of bigotry and hatred they remain just as guilty as those who carry out acts of hate. Complacency and silence in the face of bigotry towards any human being must always remain unacceptable.
Michael Jordan is not only famous in America, but he is all around the world as well. African Americans have experienced lynchings, their churches and homes being torched, their leaders beaten and murdered, their access to renting an apartment, buying a home, staying in a hotel, and eating at a restaurant denied. Their right to vote has been continually denied and suppressed.
There was a time in our nations history when Blacks could not sit where ever they wanted to on a bus, and when our nation used them as guinea pigs during the decades long Tuskeegee Experiment. It took a Presidential order to finally desegregate the military. Young unarmed Black men have been killed by the police all across our nation.
Michael Jordan cannot escape his peoples past or their present. He cannot, should not, and must not remain silent in the face of bigotry and hatred towards any person because of the color of their skin, their religious faith, the language they speak, whom they choose to love, or how they identify their gender.
When a person chooses to remain silent in the face of bigotry and hatred they remain just as guilty as those who carry out acts of hate. Complacency and silence in the face of bigotry towards any human being must always remain unacceptable.
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Another example of the liberal elites telling others what to do. It is a grotesque expression of self importance. I prefer my entertainers (athletes and Hollywood types) to be Apolitical. This way they don't offend 50% of the population.
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Dady - It's actually an expression of moral leadership. The North Carolina legislature picked this fight to damage the LBGT community who had gotten a some fairness nationally with the SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage. They created an entirely fictitious argument about rapists declaring themselves to be transgender to be able to lurk in women's restrooms to justify an overtly discriminatory law. The same legislature has acted to stay in power by passing voter eligibility restrictions to eliminate opposition voters on the equally fictitious argument that they are protecting against non-existent voter fraud. So no, I don't want my athletes to be apolitical, especially since most of them (especially in professional basketball) are members of a discriminated against minority. I hope that they will consider the prejudice that they have faced when they consider their opinions about others who have been victimized for racial or other reasons. Not all will come to that conclusion, but hopefully more will than will not And hopefully that will help the weaker members of our society, especially in the sports-avid South, where the forces of GOP-led repression are strong.
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You're talking about a man who wore the Stars & Stripes in order to cover the corporate logo of a competitor! Please! He is not going to enter the fray. It is his right as an American. As a fellow American, I reserve the right to feel a little sad about it...
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Nobody needs Michael Jordan's leadership these days. What is the past tense of passé? Nobody cares what he thinks or what he says. We all know who and what he is.
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Thanks Harvey Araton as always for keeping it real. MJ has all the coin he will ever need, it's about time he took a stand for social justice. If he does maybe some folks will want to "be like Mike" for reasons other than sneakers.
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"Even so, he is still a barrier crasher, a role model, a change agent."
In this day and age, are we still expecting that our celebrities and athletes will assume these social responsibilities? Sadly, I don't see any evidence that would support such a claim.
In this day and age, are we still expecting that our celebrities and athletes will assume these social responsibilities? Sadly, I don't see any evidence that would support such a claim.
Didn't Jordan state some time ago the he would consider relocating the Hornets if this discriminatory law was not revoked? I believe he gave the State a month to do so. Nothing's changed and Jordan is silent. And the team's still in Charlotte.
Famous or not, he's a former pro athlete. While we as a society may choose to worship these people, they as individuals only have to put the ball in the hoop. Imploring him to do something he is either ill-equipped or ill-motivated to do is a waste of time. It would be like a basketball player trying to play baseball.
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I find that this is a "no win" situation for the NBA. The article implies that the league stance on HB2 was the "correct" move to do. Yet in the same article, the NBA players and WNBA players are allowed to speak out against gun violence but NOT allowed to wear clothing supporting their stance. Wasn't the NBA recently proposing that their uniforms be allowed for corporate advertising? Isn't Nike, Reebok, Adidas logos prominently shown on all sports uniforms, shoes etc. This is all about money and not necessary politics. By taking the All Star Game out of Charlotte, means loss of revenue for the host city, state, team, league and corporate sponsors. This is one time were a loss is more important in sport, society and a culture where you win at all cost.
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Michael Jordan isn't political, he's MJ!
This idea that athletes must speak up is so silly. We admire them for their ability to jump and run, not for their political views. More often when athletes speak up they are on the wrong side of the issue. Remember Lebron with the hoodie? Zimmerman was acquitted and properly so. So lets just chill on athletes and their political views. The public could not care less.
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many of these athletes who speak out are also very wealthy. do those commenting who call for these wealthy athletes (and entertainers) to be apolitical also call for wealthy people to not contribute to political campaigns? after all they are good at making money, not making policy. shouldnt ire being equally directed at them? anyone calling for athletes to be silenced should also be calling for the reversal of Citizens United
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I have some sympathy for Jordan. Once you become part of the corporate culture, whatever you say or don't say reflects on many others as much as on you. That's the rub. I find it disheartening to see a great like Jordan becoming just another suit. Try to imagine Ali doing corporate-speak.
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In reply to Marcus, Mr. Jordan can ill afford to be "apolitical" as you state. Blacks will never have the luxury of living in a post-racial America; including rich sports legends. Jim Crow and the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade ensured such a legacy. Jordan would be well advised to remember that his offspring and relatives are also African American. Our first black President certainly knows that!
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All human beings are political. It's our nature to not be solely the "man is an island" individual that America has created so much mythology about. Even Jordan. He's just happens to be more of a capitalist. Accruing wealth apparently matters more to Jordan than political or social injustice. There is no point in beating around the bush on this. Jordan, himself has made it clear. For Jordan any blow back regarding his disinterest in public political positions is outweighed by his interest in the bandwidth of market penetration for his products. Politics and social justice are not legacy issues for Jordan. Don't expect it. He believes his position is a secure one. What rankles is that he is one of the few sports corporate leaders who has risen from the experience of his Black Youth to super stardom as a sports figure and in between has not found the heart to state the obvious truth he knows from experience. He does not feel this moral obligation. Either he is ignoring his mother's teachings or she never thought to teach him who and what he needed to be to make a real difference, if he reached this point of influence in his life.
A chance to reflect back. Gratitude. Never had to worry hearing 'Be like Mike'.
"The country's most progressive professional sports league?" Wow, that's not saying much.
During this controversy, Gov. McCrory made one comment in an interview that held a nugget of wisdom and hope. He said that this issue is complex, is being wrestled with throughout the country and deserves serious conversations.
Why then, doesn't someone in a leadership position, convene leadership from all sides of the issue and hold a serious conversation on a solution. In the meantime, North Carolina should suspend the implementation of HB2 so that everyone can breathe and focus their energies.
All we have had from our so-called leaders so far has been finger pointing. Meanwhile, thousands of people are being adversely affected by the economic fallout, and North Carolina's reputation as a progressive community has slipped sharply.
The missing element in this controversy, and in many of the controversies facing our county, is leadership. Leadership is the ability to define issues, bring diverse interests together for debate and then reach a solution in which everyone can come together. The Declaration of Independence was not written in a single draft, but it was adopted through compromise. Our nation got behind it because we had visionary leadership who could focus on the greater good.
I have lived in North Carolina almost my entire life and with pride continue to call North Carolina home. Our citizens are good and decent people who deserve good leadership. The opportunity is there for Gov. McCrory, the state legislature and, now, Michael Jordan and the NBA.
Why then, doesn't someone in a leadership position, convene leadership from all sides of the issue and hold a serious conversation on a solution. In the meantime, North Carolina should suspend the implementation of HB2 so that everyone can breathe and focus their energies.
All we have had from our so-called leaders so far has been finger pointing. Meanwhile, thousands of people are being adversely affected by the economic fallout, and North Carolina's reputation as a progressive community has slipped sharply.
The missing element in this controversy, and in many of the controversies facing our county, is leadership. Leadership is the ability to define issues, bring diverse interests together for debate and then reach a solution in which everyone can come together. The Declaration of Independence was not written in a single draft, but it was adopted through compromise. Our nation got behind it because we had visionary leadership who could focus on the greater good.
I have lived in North Carolina almost my entire life and with pride continue to call North Carolina home. Our citizens are good and decent people who deserve good leadership. The opportunity is there for Gov. McCrory, the state legislature and, now, Michael Jordan and the NBA.
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Michael Jordan cares about one person: Michael Jordan.
And the person Michael Jordan is a constellation of a business empire that is a money machine. Jordan will do nothing to tarnish his brand name or impinge on moneymaking.
His Nike logo might be the perfect trademark, or the second best, for the 1980s and 1990s. It was all about money and winning and physicality Now Michael Jordan looks dated.
And oh yeah, he cannot run a basketball franchise like Jerry Reinsdorf and run a team like Jerry "Crumbs" Krause. Those talents have nothing to do with dunks.
And the person Michael Jordan is a constellation of a business empire that is a money machine. Jordan will do nothing to tarnish his brand name or impinge on moneymaking.
His Nike logo might be the perfect trademark, or the second best, for the 1980s and 1990s. It was all about money and winning and physicality Now Michael Jordan looks dated.
And oh yeah, he cannot run a basketball franchise like Jerry Reinsdorf and run a team like Jerry "Crumbs" Krause. Those talents have nothing to do with dunks.
2
What many who do not follow Michael Jordan closely is that he is apolitical. He doesn't feel a need or any interest in getting involved in politics, which is the right of every person, even a sports legend.
He has been criticized for years for not using his voice for political issues, smeared by his (likely sarcastic joke) comment about shoe sales; he was apolitical before he ever signed with Nike (which is lost on those repeating that Jordan quote). Jordan himself confronted the criticism of him re the Gantt-Helms election and thought it was insulting that he should support a candidate he had doubts about solely because they are from the same race.
Isn't it possible that Jordan actually has a post-race mentality and sees people for who they are not just the color of their skin?
He famously wore a wristband on his forearm during his NBA career. Did you know he first wore it in college as a tribute to an injured teammate, Buzz Peterson (who is white)?
Did you know of his diversity hiring in Charlotte and the coaches he's hired there span racial differences.
MJ keeps getting dragged down by ignorance (haterism?). He likely briefly supported his coach Phil Jackson's friend Bill Bradley as a favor when Bradley ran for President in 2000 (Bradley had little chance against a two-term vice president). Jordan didn't worry about Republican sneaker sales then. He doesn't like politics.
Jordan's apolitical stance has zero to with with sneakers/money. He's always been apolitical
He has been criticized for years for not using his voice for political issues, smeared by his (likely sarcastic joke) comment about shoe sales; he was apolitical before he ever signed with Nike (which is lost on those repeating that Jordan quote). Jordan himself confronted the criticism of him re the Gantt-Helms election and thought it was insulting that he should support a candidate he had doubts about solely because they are from the same race.
Isn't it possible that Jordan actually has a post-race mentality and sees people for who they are not just the color of their skin?
He famously wore a wristband on his forearm during his NBA career. Did you know he first wore it in college as a tribute to an injured teammate, Buzz Peterson (who is white)?
Did you know of his diversity hiring in Charlotte and the coaches he's hired there span racial differences.
MJ keeps getting dragged down by ignorance (haterism?). He likely briefly supported his coach Phil Jackson's friend Bill Bradley as a favor when Bradley ran for President in 2000 (Bradley had little chance against a two-term vice president). Jordan didn't worry about Republican sneaker sales then. He doesn't like politics.
Jordan's apolitical stance has zero to with with sneakers/money. He's always been apolitical
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Marcus
Go back and read a bit about Jesse Helms. Jordan didn't have to be politically or racially motivated to object to Helms, he could have settled for being morally motivated
Go back and read a bit about Jesse Helms. Jordan didn't have to be politically or racially motivated to object to Helms, he could have settled for being morally motivated
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Sorry Marcus,
Jordan is political, he is a Republican. He does not boast about it because it is not
fashionable to be African American and a Republican.
If Jordan had to make a living at as GM on a team he did not own, he would have been fired a long time ago for incompetence.
Michael Jordan has only been about Michael Jordan
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Jordan is political, he is a Republican. He does not boast about it because it is not
fashionable to be African American and a Republican.
If Jordan had to make a living at as GM on a team he did not own, he would have been fired a long time ago for incompetence.
Michael Jordan has only been about Michael Jordan
\
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Marcus I hope you now feel more secure with your job at Nike. MJ cares about one person and that is MJ.
1
Jordon do the right thing or Trump and his cronies will take over the country. You have made enough money to last a few lifetimes.
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