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What's with all the cowardice? If you're looking, you've got an opinion! Leave it for all to see!

Sky-

Good job stating your opinion on a sensitive topic. Racism exists in all walks of lives...whether you are white, black, yellow, brown, red, blue...whatever. Whoever say they are immuned to being prejudice is an unrealistic fool. We are all programmed to react emotionally, and prejudice and generalization will always be a factor in our thinking when emotions are involved.

Having said all that, I have two comments about Josh Howard:

1) He really wants to stay in Dallas, because his actions ensure no one will trade for him.

2) Other than giving you an increased appetite, no good ever comes from smoking weed. =)

First of all good blog. Second of all, Josh Howard sincerely needs help. I am well aware, as a black male, that there are some challenges for us in America, but America is still a far better place for us then many other nations I can think of.

There is actually a lot more racial issues and tension for Josh to face in Europe, so I am not so sure that might be the best place for him if that is how he feels now.

BTW: I will speak for you on the issue. Josh Howard should be smart enough to know that many of the slaves that found themselves on the middle passage were actually captured by their fellow black men and women (the losers of tribal warfare) and were turned over to whites in exchange for guns, money, etc... many europeans who first landed on the shores of africa did not actually go in-land. They stayed on the coast, something you can observe when you see that many major african cities and capitals are actually coastal towns.

JHova: Thanks for touching on that for me. Though I knew of the historical aspect (as I do have a degree in Education of all things), I didn't feel it right for me to point that out as a white male.

I agree with you. Howard definitely needs help. I just don't see where he's going to get it if he keeps it up.

Wow, I'm actually shocked by this. The anthem celebrates our freedom as a nation. To say it shouldn't be celebrated because of being black shows lack of understanding of the spirit in which it was penned.

Here's what I think:
Howard is, first of all, not very smart. I think we can all attest to that. But up until he pulled this ridiculously stupid stunt I had nothing against him. If it's news to you that an NBA player smokes pot then you need to open your eyes. I have no personal aversion to marijuana and don't think it should be illegal, though I don't do it myself.

But I have no understanding as to why he would say what he said about the National Anthem. My closest guess would be growing up he probably didn't have it easy, and was taught to "stick it to the man" so to speak. He was raised believing to defy authority, and now that he is all grown up the USA is the authority and he sees himself as better or that he doesn't need to respect the country or something like that.

Honestly, I'm curious what HE has to say about this. Who knows, maybe he was just under the influence of something. Not that that is an excuse, but I'm really curious what his reasoning is.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 03:05 PM ET  09.17 by SkyBill40

JHova: Thanks for touching on that for me. Though I knew of the historical aspect (as I do have a degree in Education of all things), I didn't feel it right for me to point that out as a white male. I agree with you. Howard definitely needs help. I just don't see where he's going to get it if he keeps it up.

Your welcome Skybill. You just gave me a chance to show off my degree in History. So, it was well appreciated.

JHOVA: I posted something along the lines of your response on ESPN but was largely ignored or ridiculed for it. It's sad that people want to focus so much on the immediacy of the situation and make a "race" war out of it rather than trying to dig further to see where the real nature of the story lies.

It's always nice to know there's a fellow academic in the house trying to make sense out of all the nonsense out there. ;)

He has just lost his mind. Dallas had a chance to trade him when they could.........Now they're stuck with him. Good blog.

...good blog...good points by JHOVA...Dallas missed their chance to dump howard when they could...His problem is that he doesn't think.....at all or about anything....what a waste of talent....

What's even more perplexing is the fact that as a 28 year old multi-millionaire, Josh Howard has never lived the Black experience in America. Secondly, some things are better left unsaid. For Howard to make a statement like this is just another indication of his stupidity and lack of sound judgement. Unfortunately, in a few weeks the season will start, and this will be forgotten until his next bonehead move.

Howard is an overpriveleged moron who was clumsily trying display 'street-cred' to Los with his absurd comments.

Anti-American? Probably not at all at heart. Just plain idiotic, though.

Even stranger...We've got an SI writer on the front page of FanNation DEFENDING Howard. What?

Check it out: http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/for_the_record/posts/5421

I think it's great that you had the courage to state your feelings on this topic. That being said, I disagree. As a veteran, of the Army and two tours in Iraq, my perspective on this is a little different. I wholeheartedly support the ideals in the Constitution. Howard has exercised his right to free speech. People have a right to their opinions and they have a right to voice them. Personally, I don't like what Howard did, but the better question is not should he have said those things, but why did he say those things?

I don't think he was joking.

Too many times we blow off criticism of our country as 'Un-American,' or 'Un-Patriotic.' We need to look deeper at ourselves, find out how we have fallen so far from the hopes and dreams of our founding fathers to the point that some of our people feel un-included in the America. We have a serious problem in America, and it is not for a lack of 'Patriots.' Our schools are still de facto segregated, and unequal. Maybe not the same as before Brown-v-Board of Education, and until the school system in this country gets right, we are going to have a segregated and racist society.

Growing up, I went to a private school, in Florida, because my parents had no confidence in the public system to get me a good education. That school was about 98% white. When I went to UF, I was well ahead of my peers as a freshman.

Now I am a father, and I live in Georgia. Our schools are ranked 47th in the country, and they are segregated because of where we live. In north Gwinnett county, my son will be going to a school that is 90% white. If I lived further south, like in DeKalb county, the ratio would be more like 60% black, and the quality of school would be inferior. The property taxes in the suburbs makes the local schools better than those downtown Atlanta...

This problem is not isolated to Georgia. The presidential race is putting a spotlight on modern racial tensions in this country. If our Churches are the most segregated part of our country, then our schools are the second. What happened to the American Dream? That anyone, from anybackground, can succeed with hard work...Those unfortunate enough to go to an inner city school don't have much of an opportunity to get the education to actually succeed in any decent job.

I agree with your perspective on supporting the US Constitution. I CHOSE to protect it by enlisting of my own free will. I support Howard's decision in running his mouth since he is, after all, afforded that right; conversely, I do not have to respect it as this is also my right. What he did was disrespectful, but it was his choice. He must now live with the scrutiny and outroar he has created for himself that will undoubtedly follow him throughout the remainder of his career.

I, too, spent time in the Persian Gulf. I was there during the end of Desert Storm and also over there during the Somalia conflict. I don't think that my being a Navy veteran versus your Army service really makes much difference. You are black, and I am white. We couldn't be more different that that. Regardless, I do respect your opinion, choice to voice it in a respectful or dissenting manner, and your service to your country.

I do feel four you and your family as I cannot even imagine what it is like to be black in the US. I can speak on poverty and being a minority at a school as well as living in a neighborhood, but I doubt my experiences would come close to matiching what you have faced. The problem with Howard's comment is that it unfairly pigeonholes all blacks as being as ignorant as he is when in fact they are not. Howard went to college (albeit briefly) at a good school, so he should certainly know better. I guess the saying holds true with him in that "You can take the kid out of the ghetto...."

Gotta comment on this since I am

1-A military vet.....Shame on him.....The flag is for all americans, apparently he thinks he isnt 1

2-A product of the streets in LA.....What many black males dont realize is that their ancestors would be rolling over in their graves......The popular choice of baggy pants around the ankles is quite sad since historically plantation owners kept the slaves in baggy pants......Why???? Because when they ran they would be able to catch them......

That little piece of knowledge isnt in the history books......

Those that know me understand I grew up in South Central LA/Inglewood so I am not some yuppie that is from the Burbs.....And no I am not racist but know some history some black people dont know of because I have a profound interest in learning about many cultures......

Nice blog Skybill

With Hova cutting back, this should be a formidable replacement, if that is possible

Wow, when did I say I was black? I'm not going to tell you what race I am. It doesn't make any difference. I am college educated (BSME UF 2001), I did not grow up in the ghetto, and I work hard for a living.

"You can take the kid out of the ghetto..." Is just one more of those comments that is racist, or at least highly prejudiced, against minorities. People assume that blacks are not as smart as whites, or that they are lazy, so they don't give them the same opportunities in school. Let me explain: if you are white, affluent, and educated, you put your kid in a suburban school funded by the affluent suburban property taxes, or you put the kid in private school, and pay through the nose to do it. If you are poor, non-white, and working a menial job you live where you can afford, usually close to others that are poor, and you DON'T choose where your kid goes to school. Your kid goes to whatever school you live near, that is funded by local property taxes, and those taxes also pay for police, so the school budget is tiny. So your kid's lucky if he can share a book with a classmate. So goes the cycle: The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer, because the poor don't get educated.

The counter argument is that the kids in the ghetto don't try, that they're too busy with drugs and gangs to work hard and study in school. But that is like blaming the refs for loosing the game: Take responsibility and try to CHANGE things, or you are part of the problem. I don't care what race they are, kids do not naturally want to work hard, they have to be TAUGHT to work hard. Given the choice between working hard so that you can get a good job in 10 years and move out of the ghetto, and selling drugs and getting paid $$$ now, what do you think you would do? What do you think your 8 year old kid would do? What do you think he would do without you as a role model?

I'm not a big basketball fan, and I've never heard of Josh Howard before this stunt. If he's not proud to be an American, then what do we Americans have to do to help him become proud of being an American? How do we include him in our nation? These are the questions we should be asking Josh Howard, not telling him to either salute the flag or get out. He made his statements to get attention. He's got attention, now what is he going to do with it?

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 01:37 PM ET  09.18 by bucs_fan101

Wow, when did I say I was black? I'm not going to tell you what race I am. It doesn't make any difference.

Forgive me for making the false assumption. If you are black, that fine with me. Your opinion on the matter is no less valid in my eyes.

As far as the "ghetto" line I made, I did not mean to infer a racist tone. Since I don't know Howard personally, I cannot speak to his upbringing; however, I guess you choose to carry yourself in a manner that seems to be most fitting. Maybe this is why he chooses to act in the way he does and not like the (somewhat) educated black man he is. Maybe he'd lose some of his credibility with his onlookers and perhaps that's more important. To each their own, I suppose. I suppose I could also throw another stereotypical log onto the fire with the colloquialism of "If the shoe fits..."

Truth be told, I've always been surrounded by drugs and seen the negative effects they bring. So, in reference to your question, I'd work my **** off to get away from them if it took 10 years or 10 minutes. I don't associate with drugs by any means and even though they may be prevalent, I simply wouldn't make the choice to become involved regardless of the allure for quick money. The reward is simply outweighed (at least to me) by the risk.

I guess the future remains to be seen in Howard's case. He's clearly got our attention, and I hope he makes the best use of this time in the spotlight despite the negative circumstances.

My point is that American society cannot be the meritocracy we hope it is unless we give every child a good, positve upbringing. Where the parents fail, we as a society must pick up the pieces and push our youth to study. Our school system is broken, and it is segregated. TODAY. If this causes a basketball star to make a protest against America because he is angry, then we need to look to the cause and look for solutions.

Don't laugh, but my wife watches Oprah, ergo, I watch Oprah. She did a heartwrenching special on the state of our education system. Two schools in the Chicago area, less than 100 miles apart, show just how wrong the system is. The suburbs school is 90% white, and funded well enough students work on computers, have an Olympic size pool...and everything works. The inner city school was poorly funded, none of the BATHROOMS worked, the pool hadn't been filled in 20 years, and students SHARED books. Computers? HAH! The one thing that worked were the metal detectors at the entrance.

Josh Howard's comments will bring him a lot of heat. If he said those things jokingly, shame on him. If he wanted to draw attention to the race issues in America today, then he is a modern day Rosa Parks.

@bucs_fan101

I went to an inner city school where whites were a minority in the southwest. The school was mainly 80% Latino. The property values were low and didn't have a huge tax base.

However, I still ended up going to a private college on a near full-ride scholarship. So, what exactly is going wrong with these schools? Your intrepretation of what is happening is clearly coming from ignorance. These schools do work when folks apply themselves. You don't need a private school to prepare you for college. That's just a crutch, an excuse. There are too many other stories out there like that to even allow your concepts to stand on merit.

And, to claim segregation in our schools is to ruin the entire definition of segregation. Schools were always designed to be controlled by the local authorities. So, in essence, it's the local community that's failing these students.

Some of the greatest inventions of our time have come by using less resources than we poor into our schools nowadays. You don't need a lot of money to read a book. You don't need a computer to figure out the theory of relativity or create calculus. It just takes desire, willingness, and effort.

With the amount of money that we pour into our schools, we should expect better results. The solution isn't pouring more money at the problem.

Not to mention, we have 60 of the 100 best universities in the world in the US. Our education system can't be that bad.