While everyone will flock to Indianapolis for the Final Four, the NCAA will tell everyone how great the event is, the attendance will be terrific and the TV ratings will be outstanding, they will forget to tell you one thing. The latest law signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence poses a direct conflict for this member based organization, not to mention the home office.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act is a veiled attempt to discriminate against gays and lesbians, not to mention other groups. Throw the word “religion” in the mix and all are supposed to stop, go to their knees and say, “It’s God’s will” and all is supposed to be okay. Not in this case.
This law gives people in Indiana the right to discriminate for religious reasons. Gay and lesbians are the target now, but for those who remember the days when blacks were denied service because of the color of their skin, it should ring a bell. A bell that could easily be rung again if some have their way.
As for the NCAA, their home office is in Indianapolis, and at last check there are some who are students and coaches at their member institutions who are gay. A bigger number than some would like to admit, but it is what it is.
So, the question is: How will those who venture to Indy for an event be treated? Will they be denied service at a restaurant, hotel or anywhere else because someone resents how they live their personal life? I did say “personal.” Why should anyone care at this point? The whole gay-lesbian subject seems to agitate some, I guess they must think this issue in our society is brand new.
If the NCAA is all about its members and their rights, along with opposing discrimination of any sort, then it’s time to take a stand like other cities and companies are starting to take with respect to some of the policies and laws of Indiana. While the results of the early pushback from around the country has not been measured by the financial impact it could have, the pocket book is a good place to start when it comes to getting someone’s attention.
I also suggest taking a list of those elected officials who thought this law was a good idea. Don’t think that works? Ask the NRA and Tea Party how it has worked for them to let their people into elected positions. After all, there are a number of cities that would welcome them, even though they are flawed in other areas. In this case, a simple prepared statement from the NCAA is not enough, as I am sure they hope this will die down soon so they can get back to business as usual.
Comparing the Civil Rights Movement to the gay rights movement has been done before. In this case, the correlation is too close to what those who are black went through years ago. Not that far back, I might add. Those who want to shake their heads in disbelief at what those proceedings were like should talk to elders who walked in those shoes.
Politics and sports have crossroads, and when they do intersect you have two factions. There are those who stick their head in the sand and give the excuse, “I’m not here for that.” Others will make their feelings known that what is going on is either not totally right or needs further examination with respect to the big picture.
So, as you root for your favorite team this weekend, take into account that this event is being played in a state where you could be next when it comes to depriving you of something that you are entitled to because of someone’s “religious freedom.” You should not need a code book to decipher the bigger message that is being sent here – and neither should the NCAA.
