At a business conference Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban opened up on a number of topics - being the Mavs owner, the impact of getting fired twice, the nation's current economy - but that was small talk compared to the hot-button issue of the day -- race.
"I know I'm prejudiced and I know I'm bigoted in a lot of different ways," Cuban said, according to The Tennessean. "If I see a black kid in a hoodie on my side of the street, I'll move to the other side of the street. If I see a white guy with a shaved head and tattoos, I'll move back to the other side of the street. None of us have pure thoughts; we all live in glass houses."
Shortly thereafter, however, reaction started pouring in. While Cuban received lots of support, there many detractors.
Cuban stands by his statement, but took exception to an article that appeared on BleacherReport.com, which Cuban says labeled him a racist. He requested an apology from the article's writer.
I wonder if @BleacherReport will come out with an article about how @JPCavan called @mcuban a racist then changed it https://t.co/ElzHVJ2Rgz
— Modern Rock (@modern_rock) May 22, 2014
. @JPCavan You owe me an apology for calling me a racist. I have my failings and I mentioned those in the interview. But a racist I am not — Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
Americans have difficulty openly discussing race. No matter one's view on the matter there is sure to be a counter position. And the fear of being labeled a racist is enough to make most people opt to remain silent. But personal opinions of others do exist. Cuban deserves support for being courageous enough to openly participate in a discussion involving a very sensitive topic, especially on the heels of the comments made recently by fellow NBA owner Donald Sterling. Cuban could have easily kept his views -- which he shared in more detail during an interview with Inc. -- to himself and the matter would not be news today. Due to Cuban's courage, many people might be tempted to confront their own views on race and other social biases they probably harbor. There are inherent dangers to speaking publicly on race and during his interview with Inc., Cuban unintentionally touched a very sensitive matter -- black young males wearing hoodies hoodies. In February 2012, 17-year-old African-American Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. The incident sparked national protests and debates. Cuban apologized to the Martin family for making the reference.
P/1: In hindsight I should have used different examples. I didn't consider the Trayvon Martin family, and I apologize to them for that. — Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
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