Yunel Escobar

[mikeyank]

The Toronto Blue Jays shortstop, Yunel Escobar was suspended by his team today for three games for inscribing in his eye black, (used to prevent glare from the sun in day games) the Spanish phrase "tu ere maricon" which is said to translate to "you are a faggot".

The player is Cuban and said that Latin players use the word "maricon" as a joke, but he did apologize today. The Yahoo Sports article I read also said, "The native Cuban will undergo sensitivity training and his lost salary will be donated to You Can Play and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation".

 

[tampa24]

Good. He can claim all he wants that it is a frequently used word in his culture. I've lived in a Spanish speaking country and know that "maricon" is a foul word there. Not something to be used in polite company. Also Spain is one of the countries that has legalized same-sex marriage. While Spain is not Cuba...his defense that he is entitled to use the word on the field in pro sports because it is "just part of latin culture" doesn't fly with me.

Even the way he spelled it out is low class and improper Castilian Spanish. It should be "Tu eres" or simply "Eres" (You are a) instead of "Tu ere". Which in itself translates to nothing intelligible.

 

[JLipps4u]

Perhaps he should now paint " Yo soy pendejo" on his face, for all to see!

Unfortunately, if he meant to use the phrase to hurt someone, my guess is that the incident will only strengthen his hatred for gays. So often people apologize, but only because they were called out, not because they are truly apologetic.

 

[peterh6308]

Oh he's just a "Hoto hater" lol

 

[joninliverton]

Maybe he should inscribe "I am a spick" instead.

 

[rbar]

Now now, name calling isn't the answer. You don't need to stoop to his level. And besides, he's Cuban, not Puerto Rican. I don't know of a pejorative term for Cubans...

 

[grace17]

Now now, name calling isn't the answer. You don't need to stoop to his level. And besides, he's Cuban, not Puerto Rican. I don't know of a pejorative term for Cubans...

Awww...come on, Rob...can't we make up a new name especially for him? Pretty please...

Seriously, when I see or hear stuff like this, I just remind myself how much time and energy it must take to nurture such a high degree of discrimination and hatred, so his life must be pathetic, unfulfilled and boring. When you look at it that way, people like him begin taking on the appearance of very sad characters on the outside with seriously flawed souls on the inside...and we're the lucky ones.

 

[rbar]

Awww...come on, Rob...can't we make up a new name especially for him? Pretty please...

Seriously, when I see or hear stuff like this, I just remind myself how much time and energy it must take to nurture such a high degree of discrimination and hatred, so his life must be pathetic, unfulfilled and boring. When you look at it that way, people like him begin taking on the appearance of very sad characters on the outside with seriously flawed souls on the inside...and we're the lucky ones.

For you , Grace, I'd consider it. . However, that kind of hate just breeds hate. You're absolutely right, he's sad and pathetic. What's worse, is that he's a public figure, and as such is looked up to as a role model. You would think that by now, after all of the athletes, stars and politicians who have been in the press for comments like this, that as a 'role model' he'd be smarter than that. I actually almost feel bad for him, that he is that narrow minded and ignorant.

 

[joninliverton]

Sorry Rob but if they cannot take it then they should not give it.. I am not racist at all but I will not stand and watch pricks that him come out with such homophobic remarks. There is no room in sport for racism or sexism and those that use their high profiles to broadcast such shit should be barred for life. Hit them where it hurts - in their pocket.

 

[Ambivalent]

Hey, guys,

I feel ROTTEN about this, too. But I am kind of hoping that Mr. Escobar (whyever he did such a stupid and hurtful thing) will learn his lesson, grow up a bit, and learn to be a real friend to gay people. That may sound idealistic - but it is not impossible: I had more than one straight jock friend in university who went through just that sort of transformation.

And. . . I think it is a lot more important (as gay guys) that we win friends and supporters, than get revenge. Certainly, that is what Patrick Burke (brother to Brendan Burke, who was one of the first openly gay men to be involved in making hockey better for gay players: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Burke ) thinks.

Patrick is going to meet with Yunel, and try to explain the consequences of all this, and try to get him onside as a real friend to the gay community. http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs...meet-with-yunel-escobar-on-homophobia-dimanno

And given how bright and persuasive Patrick is. . . I think there is at least a CHANCE he will succeed. And if it's POSSIBLE - wouldn't that be the best possible outcome????

Just saying,
"Ambivalent" XOXOXOXOXOXO

 

[MissDeidra]

I hope that was worth the $285,000 he lost out making in his 3 game suspension. What a damn shame. Tut tut.

 

[rbar]

Sorry Rob but if they cannot take it then they should not give it.. I am not racist at all but I will not stand and watch pricks that him come out with such homophobic remarks. There is no room in sport for racism or sexism and those that use their high profiles to broadcast such shit should be barred for life. Hit them where it hurts - in their pocket.

Now THIS I agree with 100%!

 

[tampa24]

Hey, guys,

I feel ROTTEN about this, too. But I am kind of hoping that Mr. Escobar (whyever he did such a stupid and hurtful thing) will learn his lesson, grow up a bit, and learn to be a real friend to gay people. That may sound idealistic - but it is not impossible: I had more than one straight jock friend in university who went through just that sort of transformation.

And. . . I think it is a lot more important (as gay guys) that we win friends and supporters, than get revenge. Certainly, that is what Patrick Burke (brother to Brendan Burke, who was one of the first openly gay men to be involved in making hockey better for gay players: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Burke ) thinks.

Patrick is going to meet with Yunel, and try to explain the consequences of all this, and try to get him onside as a real friend to the gay community. http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs...meet-with-yunel-escobar-on-homophobia-dimanno

And given how bright and persuasive Patrick is. . . I think there is at least a CHANCE he will succeed. And if it's POSSIBLE - wouldn't that be the best possible outcome????

Just saying,
"Ambivalent" XOXOXOXOXOXO

Good post Ambivalent. When you hear of things things the first reaction is that you want the person punished. Harshly! On further reflection, in addition to punishment you would like to see the person rehabilitated. I appreciate the link to the article. This quote by Patrick Burke in particular summed it up pretty well.


“The best outcome is, Yunel becomes educated on this issue and becomes a sincere friend to the community. The Blue Jays become more educated and show their support for Toronto’s gay population. And the gay population gets new allies who can have an important cultural role in showing stuff like this will not be tolerated in baseball. That way everybody gains.

“If we yell and scream and call Escobar names and kick him out of baseball and ban him for life, would that be emotionally satisfying in the short term? Yeah, probably. But long term, what’s that going to do for his attitude towards the gay community? Is that going to turn him into an ally or is that going to make him more resentful? The guys on the Blue Jays, who are his friends, who’ve just lost a teammate, is that going to make them more forgiving or more resentful? The ideal outcome is one where everybody wins.’’

 

[tampa24]

I hope that was worth the $285,000 he lost out making in his 3 game suspension. What a damn shame. Tut tut.

Yay! Deidra's back.

 

[SanDiegoKen]

Good for the Blue Jays. Sadly at the moment Toronto is only one of three MLB cities where Gay people can marry- along with Boston and New York.

 

[mikeyank]

Good for the Blue Jays. Sadly at the moment Toronto is only one of three MLB cities where Gay people can marry- along with Boston and New York.

There's a great trivia question involving the American League East.

I'm surprised that San Francisco is not on the list, Ken.

 

[SanDiegoKen]

There's a great trivia question involving the American League East.

I'm surprised that San Francisco is not on the list, Ken.

Prop 8 in Cali in 2008 made it so.

 

[Markymark]

First, did anyone else notice the shades with "blinders" that allow him to see, but cover the offensive comment? Curious he felt ashamed enough to need at some point to hide? Second, perhaps Yunel needs this photo plastered on his locker, to remind him of what a "Maricon" really looks like? (in as much as it could be directed to anyone, any face in a crowd. Shame Shame Shame. As you say tampa, we need a good outcome from this. I hope he does learn some tolerance.

 

[mikeyank]

NFL: Super Bowl star Culliver apologises for gay slur

Here we go again, with a professional athlete making inappropriate comments about gays. Former NFL player Jeremy Shockey did it, Yunel Escobar did it last summer and now one of the players in The Super Bowl did it. I found the story on Yahoo Sports:


Agence France-PresseJanuary 31, 2013 12:45


NFL: Super Bowl star Culliver apologises for gay slur


San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver apologized Thursday for his anti-gay slur saying his comments were "ugly" and "he is not that kind of guy."

"I am sorry I offended anyone. It was ugly comments. It is nothing I feel in my heart.I hope I can learn and grow from this experience. I love San Francisco," he said.

The 24-year-old Culliver made the remarks about gays to American comedian turned radio show host Artie Lange during Tuesday's Media Day.

Lange asked Culliver if any members of the 49ers were homosexual or if he had ever been approached by "gay guys".

"I don't do the gay guys man, I don't do that," Culliver said. "Nah, we ain't got no gay people on the team.

"They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah, can't be in the locker room."

Culliver said he was trying to be funny at the time and wishes he had got up and left the table instead of continuing the interview with Lange.

"It was just something in a joking matter but not what I feel in my heart," said Culliver, whose 49ers are in New Orleans to play the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl 47 on Sunday.

"I don't have any disrespect of people in other sexualities. I just want to face the situation and let everyone know I am not that type of guy."

Culliver also said that gay players should wait 10 years after retirement before revealing their sexuality.

Asked Thursday if the NFL is ready for a gay player to come out in the open, Culliver said, "I don't know if it is. That would be on that person."

Culliver said he didn't think his anti-gay comments would be a distraction to his teammates during Super Bowl week.

"I am not trying to be a distraction to the team. I am trying to win the Super Bowl," he said.

This is Culliver's second season playing in San Francisco which has the highest percentage of gays (15.4 percent) of any city in America.

The 49ers tried to distance themselves from the comments by issuing a statement on Wednesday, saying "There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community."

San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said the coaching staff spoke with Culliver but he refused to releases details of what was said.

"We treat those conversations as private," said Harbaugh. "I do believe there wasn't any malice in his heart. He is not an ugly person or a discriminating person."

The Washington-based Human Rights Campaign blasted Culliver for his "homophobic" comments, saying it showed the worst type of "ignorance".

"Chris Culliver's comments represent the height of ignorance and the type of homophobic banter that professional athletes rarely use any more," said vice president Fred Sainz.

 

[joninliverton]

This guy should be kicked out of San Francisco for those comments. But maybe that would drag us down to his level, so dock him a few months wages and force him to put them into Aids or other LGBT's charities.