
This post is going to elicit several different opinions.
I am going to hear that a brother has to do what a brother has to do to keep his paper flowing.
I am going to have some people that agree with me.
This is how I feel on this subject...
Josh Howard, a NBA player for the Dallas Mavericks was caught on video saying how he did not believe in the National Anthem. I have blogged about how this brother needs to keep his mouth shut before when he admitted on a radio show here in Dallas about how he gets lifted during the off season. Anyway the video about the National Anthem was leaked to U-Tube and the brother has caught all kinds of hell for telling how he and the majority of blacks in this country feel.
Don't get me wrong... This is not going to be an anti-American rant.
I love being an American, as I am sure Josh Howard does.
But (of course there is a but), The words of the Anthem were not written with people that looked like me in mind.
"Liberty and Justice for all"
Can anyone actually reading this say this is true?
Anyways... Mr. Howard felt the need to apologize for his comments in order to keep his money flowing. I do not agree with his apology.
Why apologize for saying something you meant to say? Of course he does not mean it and anyone that heard him could see he does not mean it. But this being America the land of "free speech" he was forced to give a "heartfelt" apology. He was forced to appease the people that he "offended".
Me being me I say F%%ck them.
If I was Josh Howard this is what I would have said at my press conference....
"Good afternoon.
Thank you all for coming.
I apologize for breaking you all away from your busy schedules for something like this. As you all know the past couple of months I have been the subject of some very negative press. All of it was my own lack of thinking. I am not here to blame anyone else for my actions. I was supposed to come here today to apologize for my comments concerning the National Anthem. I am not going to do that. I cannot stand up here and tell a lie. I meant what I said and I stand by what I said. I believe that this country was not founded by men who gave a damn about me. In the constitution all men that look like me are not even considered a whole man. And I have to mention that when the words of the National Anthem were written the sentiments of this country's leaders had not changed. This nations history has shown that the words of the Anthem, "Liberty and Justice for all" does not apply to me or anyone that looks like me. But me being an American citizen, even though the constitution was not written for me, it still applies to me. According to the 1st Amendment of said constitution, I have the right to say whatever I feel the need to say. The 1st amendment does not say that I can only say what I feel as long as I do not offend anyone. I did not break any laws by voicing my opinion. I just said something that some people did not like. I understand I may lose some endorsements behind this statement, but let's face it, I make 9 million dollars a year. Losing an endorsement for 500,000 will not hurt me that much. Financially I am set for life. Mr Cuban might be forced to trade me due to this statement, but that does not concern me. My contract was guaranteed, which means I will get my money no matter where I am. So I do not need to appease anyone I offended. If I did offend anyone with my comments concerning the National Anthem, then all I can say is, get over it. I am not here to be a role model for your kids. I am a role model for my kids and my kids alone. Your kids should go by the example you set, not by what some celebrity says and does. Just because I am in the public eye does not mean I have to stop being who I am. It does not mean I have to stop being Josh Howard. I am a Black Man in America. That is who I am and that is what you all see standing before you now. That is all I can be.
Thank-you again for coming."
If only it were like this.
What would you have said?