Grant Hill Taking a Stand on Discrimination

Why is it everytime we have something positive in our community, people need to shoot it down with their ignorance?

Grant Hill's public service announcement aired during the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game & got mixed reactions. The public service announcement is for the "Think Before You Speak" campaign, to help stop the discriminination with the use of words. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D_XLCmY0D8 . People don't think that words can be very powerful, especially when they are used in a hurtful way. Not just kids in school but adults have it bad as well.

In Hill's PSA, he asked people to stop using the word "gay" to mean "dumb or stupid". Many people say it without thinking twice & the damage it causes. I have been called that word too many times in my life to let it affect me anymore, but there are people out there who hear it everyday like it's their first name. Come on folks! We need to get it together!It is on the same level when we hear people outside of the black community use the word "nigger". It has the same damage altogether, but people don't think about that.

Immediately after Grant Hill's PSA, people took to Hill's twitter feed with many anti-gay postings. Some even went as far as calling Hill a "fag" & "Uncle Tom". Hill responded to the tweets, reminded people on the reason why we need the PSA's in the first place. Good for Hill.

People in the black community should already know how much discrimination hurts & to also use the term "Uncle Tom" is just plain ignorant. The only way we can help eliminate such hatred is through much needed discussion & education.

I'm very happy the NBA is airing the PSA's during the playoffs. Hopefully they do it every game. We watch NBA games too!! They should extend the campaign all year long, not just during the playoffs but also during the offseason.

For more info on the Think B4 You Speak campaign visit http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/