Recently Mark Cuban announced the Dallas Mavericks would no longer be playing the National Anthem before games.
In response to this, the NBA put out a statement that said: "all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy."
Mark's response was:
We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. But we also loudly hear the voices of those who feel that the anthem does not represent them. We feel that their voices need to be respected and heard, because they have not been.
Going forward, our hope is that people will take the same passion they have for this issue and apply the same energy to listen to those who feel differently from them. Only then we can move forward and have courageous conversations that move this country forward and find what unites us.
LISTEN. LEARN. UNITE.
Admittedly I was once a Mark Cuban fan. Having seen him on Shark Tank, I admired his business acumen. Today, as over the past several years, he continues to fall from my grace and appreciation.
His rebuttal is typical liberal doublespeak. Mark, are you listening to those who feel differently than you? Since when does sincere listening mean canceling out someone else? How is canceling courageous? How does it support courageous conversations? If you, or others, have a problem with the anthem, maybe it would help define what specifically you have a problem with, instead of trying to cancel it. Is it national pride, is it "land of the free and the home of the brave", is it "Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution" is it "when freemen shall stand", is it "Blest with vict'ry and peace", is it "In God We Trust"?
Mark, are you willing to LISTEN. LEARN. UNITE? Are you willing to have a courageous conversation?
Oh, Mark, you are so politically correct. You are so wise. The liberal left knows best. So, I further ask when will you be adding biologically female self-identifying gendered, transgender males to your Mavericks? Can we expect this next season? In my entire life, I have admittedly never watched a full basketball game. OHH, the pride I would have with such equality displayed full court. Regardless of outcome, I am sure it would be the most exciting professional basketball game ever played. Please, Mark, do the politically correct thing, woke up, and recruit hard. By my God's honor, I pledge should you prove yourself not a hypocrite, if you will provide me tickets to that game, I would love to join you. After the game, we will sit down together, and I will actually honestly LISTEN to anything you and your players have to say. I promise to try my best to LEARN, especially from the new "guys" and their unique perspectives, and together under an honest standard, I am sure we may respectfully disagree on some things. With full sincerity, I am positive, however, we most surely can UNITE in ways to "Move this country forward".
Maybe the words of the US National Anthem do not represent what some feel. However, it does represent what some do feel. Is it fair to cancel what some do believe simply because others cannot articulate their position fairly and honestly? I do not wish to ever take away from someone's ability to make their beliefs known. Freedom of expression is a core value of the United States Constitution, another document some are apparently offended by, except when used to support their own agenda. I sincerely respect difference in thought, when such difference is backed up by honest standards. Double standards are not honest standards.
For those who do not know the words as well as for those who may take umbrage to them, the following is the National Anthem of the United States of America. If you take umbrage, please provide specifics. I am willing to listen and have honest dialogue. If you feel it should be canceled, please provide an honest scenario where canceling it is okay but why specifically it is not okay for others to cancel your beliefs, your voice, and your freedom of expression.
O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
