I know nothing about Mark Cuban’s personal life, but in the matter of his following statements, I defend his right to say them, and stand in his corner, for they are true:
“I know I’m prejudiced, and I know I’m bigoted in a lot of different ways,” Cuban said. “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 (on the side he now is on), I’ll move back to the other side of the street.” (Such is human nature.) But, he followed up, “Anyone who treats anyone differently because of race, is wrong…” All of us have prejudices, is his contention. Later, he followed his remarks with this statement. “In hindsight I should have used different examples. I didn’t consider the Trayvon Martin family, and I apologize to them for that.”
For his candid remarks, I say kudos, Mark Cuban! He is on target with his comments about our prejudices and biases. We all have them. It is every person’s God given RIGHT to think what they will. Nor can all the well meaning politicians, their incredible naivete’ notwithstanding, put forth a law which will get into our minds. And when the leaders of any people begin to assume the role of thought police, the fate of that people is one of extreme peril. It is any person’s right to dislike me, nor shall I protest unless such dislike or prejudice is mobilized into action against me. But it is a remarkable thing to me, when one considers the size and girth of some of those who weep and wail about prejudice, and I ask myself, “who in their right mind would dare provoke this person?” I don’t get it!
I cede to any person their RIGHT to dislike me, and if they have not reached that point, I daresay I may push the issue through an acerbic comment of mine in their direction. That is my RIGHT, but I must be willing to brook the consequences!
Yes, we all have our dislikes, biases, and prejudices. But failure to make a spot judgement about others in a moment when danger may be in the offing is an avenue followed by weaklings and victims. Indeed, it is a foolish person who thinks otherwise, or who places faith in a foolishly conceived unconstitutional law, put forth by conspiring politicians, with the insidious intent of policing the thoughts of free men and women.
Yes, I cede to all others their God given RIGHT to dislike me, and I them. However, I pray that I shall have the maturity and wisdom to turn and walk away when provoked. Further, I hope to be quick to forgive. Speaking forthrightly is TRUTH, not prejudice. We can all use some tact, but political correctness, on the other hand, is not tact, but rather a fabrication, a lie. Yes, the truth is much in absence these days. We need more of it.
Certainly, Mark Cuban has incurred the wrath of the weepers, and wailers, and the gnashers of teeth, even of those who are quick to take offense at every word. To be offended is a choice they have made. They can choose NOT to be offended!
As for ourselves, let us be kind to those who would offend us. So is the example set for us by the Savior: “And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.” [1]
But, let us not be afraid to speak the truth! He, the lowly Nazarene, ever spoke the truth, and it incurred the wrath of those in power. Therefore, we who would emulate him, should not be surprised at what may be a firestorm in response to our candor. Has it not been said that “the wicked take the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center?” [2]
[1] 1 Nephi 19:9 [2] 1 Nephi 16:2 The Book of Mormon, A second witness of Jesus Christ