Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, incited the anger of many with his discussion of racism with Inc. Magazine. During the interview, Cuban admitted to being bigoted and prejudiced, keeping it extremely candid.
“I also try not to be a hypocrite. I know I’m prejudiced. I know I’m bigoted in a lot of different ways,” he said. “I’ve said this before. If I see a black kid in a hoodie at night on the same side of the street, I’m probably going to walk to other side of the street. If I see a white guy with a shaved head and lots of tattoos, I’m going back to the other side of the street. If I see anybody that looks threatening, and I try not to, but part of me takes into account race and gender and image. I’m prejudiced. Other than for safety issues, I try to always catch my prejudices and be very self-aware.”
Many felt that his “Black Hoodie” comment echoed the terrible Travyon Martin tragedy that happened in 2012. After hearing some of the disparaging remarks made in reaction to his comments, Cuban took twitter to personally address the situation.
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
P/2: beyond apologizing to the Martin family, I stand by the words and substance of the interview.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
P/3: I think that helping people improve their lives, helping people engage with people they may fear or may not understand,
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
P/4: and helping people realize that while we all may have our prejudices and bigotries
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
P/5: we have to learn that it’s an issue that we have to control, that it’s part of my responsibility as an entrepreneur to try to solve it
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2014
If Cuban’s goal was to start a conversation, he definitely achieved it in major way. However, the meaning behind many of his words needs to be addressed the league immediately. On the other hand, it isn’t really a basketball issue, but a societal one. What should be done? Who Should do it? Let us know what you think.
Jimi (@Nativejimi)
