Jason
Collins, a 34-year-old very successful basketball player in the NBA, came
out. He stated: “I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.“
He wrote
a very emphatic and detailed article for "Sports Illustrated" talking about
how he grew up, realized he was different and about the triggers that finally
led to his decision to tell the world.
In the article, he explains his feelings and the whole situation vividly. One image that stays in mind is the following one:
In the article, he explains his feelings and the whole situation vividly. One image that stays in mind is the following one:
“I wish I
wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm
different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this.
Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.“
The stir
Collins’ coming out caused and the intense response from the media (Austrian
newspapers usually don’t report about the NBA at all) made me realize that our
society still has a far way to go. I mean shouldn’t we accept people for who
they are, for their personality, and not judge them by their skin color or
sexual orientation? Seriously, it doesn’t hurt anybody that Collins is gay
(except maybe some infatuated female fans) and it definitely doesn’t diminish
his success and skills as an athlete.
And
still, his coming out is seen as a brave thing to do all over the world, which
means there must be lurking dangers like intolerance or hostility everywhere.
From my point of view this really shouldn’t be the case in the 21st
century anymore!
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