Our Response To Michael Sam

After Missouri All-American defensive end Michael Sam publicly announced he was gay last Sunday, a media frenzy began.

With small exception, every big name publication has done a piece on Michael Sam’s revelation. They range from pieces glorifying his supporters like Redskins executive, Doug Williams to critical articles against NFL commentators who called Sam’s orientation a potential “distraction.”

Though most of these journalists were quick to support and encourage Sam (and brutally criticize his opponents) perhaps we should take a deeper look at what our response truly means.

The New York Times

An article published today in the Times took the family angle. The article walks you through Sam’s difficult childhood which involved familial death, poverty and a wildly unsupportive father. Though the article must be commended for its creative angle, there is a problem. Writers Joe Drape, Steve Eder and Billy Witz said “to get a sense of the challenges awaiting Sam [in the NFL], look no further than his father.”

The crutch of this article has a fatal flaw. The writers intend to draw parallels from Michael Sam’s difficult childhood to the challenges he will face as an openly gay NFL player. Giving equal attention to both situations gives them equal validity.

Michael Sam Sr. said in response to his son’s announcement “I couldn’t eat no more...I don’t want my grandkids raised in that kind of environment.”

If Michael Sam Sr. has a difficult relationship with his son it is a direct result of inappropriate, and in this case ignorant parenting. And to say that Michael Sam Jr. will face similar challenges as a gay NFL player is to say he has done something wrong to deserve it.

While Sam Jr.’s relationship with his father was caused by an unfeeling parent, his relationship with the NFL was caused by his sexual orientation, or so this article would have you believe.

The Washington Post

Yesterday, the Post put out an article congratulating Redskins Executive, Doug Williams for his open support of Sam. In the article, Williams told the post he does not think Sam’s place in the draft will be affected nor will he have difficulties with other players.

“He’s been in the locker room with his teammates and they put their arms around each other and they went out and played,” Williams said of Sam.

Again, a problem arises. Few will argue that Williams, upon being questioned gave a respectable answer, perhaps even a controversial answer, considering his position.

Yet it is the exact acting of congratulating Williams which is troublesome. The celebration of Williams’ message, which was little more than “accept people for who they are,” means that his attitude was in some way, special.

If indeed Williams’ support of Sam is special or idealist, then it implies being critical of Sam, or his sexual orientation is normal, or so this article would have you believe.

USA Today

The above articles meant well. Their ideas intended to support Sam, though fell short in execution. An article published today in USA Today was altogether different.

Writer Tom Pelissero begins by explaining a “rite of passage” in professional football which leads to the teasing of players for their hometown stereotypes, regional accents and unique behavior.

He then says “Michael Sam's announcement that he is gay raises a new question: would it be OK for teammates to joke about that?”

Here, exactly here is where every reader should have stopped.

If you have to ask the question, the answer is no.

Fellow teammates treating a southern accent as jokingly as sexual orientation is shameful. At the heart of any teasing, there is a true, negative connotation with the aspect being teased. If a person were being teased for a southern drawl, it is probably at the expense of his intelligence (a presumption the majority knows to be false).

But to joke about homosexuality is to give it a connotation with something unnatural or non-masculine. And unlike the presumption with the accent, this is not something the majority knows to be false.

The USA Today’s ability to publish meaningful stories is questionable, or so this article would have you believe.

What Our Response Says About Us

Michael Sam’s story has officially gone viral. And it is crucial to take a step back and ask why. Is it because it affects the NFL, a major franchise of our culture? Is it because we value the bravery of young people?

In fact, no. Our response means this: as a society and a media we still see homosexuality as something uncommon, rare and marketable. Our response shames us.

Copenhagen Zoo Kills Healthy, 2-Year-Old Giraffe

Against international protest, the Copenhagen Zoo put down healthy, 2-year-old giraffe Marius.

Zoo’s scientific director Bengt Holst said they had no choice but to kill the animal. Marius was part of an international breeding program which prohibits inbreeding for the health of the overall species.

“As this giraffe’s genes are over-represented in the breeding program, the European Breeding Programme for Giraffes has agreed that Copenhagen Zoo euthanize him,” said Holst in an interview with Time Magazine.

Marius was anesthetized by zoo staff and then shot through the head with a bolt rifle. Lethal injection was avoided so as not contaminate the meat.

Though putting down Marius despite international pushback was shocking, the zoo’s decision to publicly display the animal’s autopsy at the zoo as an exhibit went a step further.

A small, voluntary group of adults, some with children, watched as the zoo staff picked apart the carcass of the giraffe and then cut up its pieces to be fed to the zoo’s lions.

Scientific proponents spoke on the issue backing the zoo’s decision. "I'm actually proud,” said Stenback Bro, a zoo representative. “I think we have given children a huge understanding of the anatomy of a giraffe that they wouldn't have had from watching a giraffe in a photo.”

In response to the both a Time Magazine and BBC News article, comments filled the pages from outraged parents who believe it dangerous for children to watch autopsies. “That's a lot to process for little kids,” noted a commentor.

Aside from parental concerns, animal rights supporters are also angered all over the world. Stine Jensen, from Denmark's Organisation Against the Suffering of Animals told BBC News the zoo “thinks that putting this giraffe down instead of thinking of alternatives is the best option.”

“We were open about it because we know it was the right thing to do,” Holst told Time Magazine.  “If we’re serious about science, we can’t be led by emotion.”

The question animal rights activists are asking, though, is if Marius needed to die. Other options available for the genetically undesirable animal include contraceptives or neutering.

Contraceptives in giraffes lead to medical problems including renal failure. And Holst told Time Magazine neutering the animal would diminish the animal’s quality of life because mating is an essential part of a giraffe’s well being.

Aside from medical procedures. the zoo also had two offers from establishments willing to take Marius.

The first offer from a Yorkshire zoo was refused Holst said because the spot should be held for an animal with more significant genes. The second offer, from a zoo in Sweden was refused because they could not ensure the animal would not be sold to another place.

Though the Copenhagen Zoo refused offers for what they believe were legitimate reasons, some last minute offers were also shrugged off.

Robert Krijuff, director of a wildlife park in the Netherlands also offered to take the animal, but was refused. In an interview with BBC News, Krijuff said,  "I can't believe it. We offered to save his life. Zoos need to change the way they do business.”

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Hoffman's Death Should Be A Wake-up Call For The Art Industry

At age 46, multi-dimensional and famously talented actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead, syringe in his arm, next to 50 bags of heroin.

Last Sunday, playwright and friend, David Bar Katz, found Hoffman’s body on the bathroom floor of his West Village apartment in New York City.

“I saw him last week, clean and sober, his old self,” Katz told The Washington Post. “I thought that chapter was over.”

Hoffman had an ongoing battle with drug addiction which shadowed his career and personal life. In a “60 Minutes” interview in 2005, the actor admitted to a drug addiction he developed after college. Putting himself through rehab, Hoffman was a reformed addict at 22 years of age.

Over 20 years later, Hoffman relapsed. The actor spent 10 days in a rehabilitation center in May of 2013 recovering from heroin use.

While a world of fans lament over Hoffman’s untimely death, maybe it is time for the art industry to rethink its role in the epidemic of drug abuse within its own community.

Countless art industry stars come to know death through drug abuse. To name a few in the last 10 years: Whitney Houston drowned after taking a mix of cocaine and over-the-counter drugs, Heath Ledger overdosed on a combination of prescription drugs and Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning.

The art industry, while sympathetic of these drug related deaths, is not actively addressing the problem. This suggests nothing can be done, that it is an unavoidable tragedy.

But think about the sports industry. The National Football League has a 35 page policy covering drug abuse and rehabilitation for its members.

The NFL has three stages of drug testing for league players. There are pre-employment, pre-season and by agreement drug testing. In the opening lines of the league's drug policy it is stated: “substance abuse can lead to on-the-field injuries, to alienation of the fans, to diminished job performance, and to personal hardship. The deaths of several NFL players have demonstrated the potentially tragic consequences of substance abuse.”

Here, the NFL implies that personal suffering will not be overlooked in the name of professional football. But does the passivity towards drug abuse in the art industry suggest that art trumps the importance of personal health?

Hoffman participated in nearly 90 productions between his film and theater career. Ben Brantley of the New York Times wrote, “Mr. Hoffman does terminal uncertainty better than practically anyone.” The talent Hoffman brought to the stage touched many lives.

But, we cannot forget Hoffman had a life of his own. With his partner of 15 years, Mimi O’ Donnell, Hoffman fathered three children: his son Conner and two daughters Tallulah and Willa. Conner, the eldest, is only ten years old.

The world lost an intriguing and important actor. But a family lost their father, a wife, her husband. No artist should give their life for the sake of art, and it is time the art industry started recognizing artists as humans instead of commodities.

NFL Legend Followed By Fans

An early weekend in February is host to the a truly all American holiday--the Superbowl.

While fans from Denver and Seattle are stocking up on face paint, jerseys and nachos, Superbowl XLVIII offers up an unlikely, third group of fans.

Though the Indianapolis Colts season ended in the second round of playoffs, fans from Indiana will support Denver Broncos’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, former Colts quarterback.

After being let go from the Colts due to a severe neck injury Manning said, “Nobody loves their job more than I do. But there is no other team I wanted to play for.”

During his time in Indianapolis, Manning created The Peyback Foundation, a group focused on aiding disadvantaged children gain important, educational opportunities. Manning and his wife Ashley also gave an undisclosed amount to a local hospital and introduced its new name, “Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent.”

Manning is also credited for re-inventing the image of the Indianapolis Colts. During his time on the team, Manning appeared in numerous ads for many big-name NFL sponsors. His honest smile and goofy demeanor won the hearts of the media, and revitalized football culture in Indiana.

Manning and his brother, Eli, have also made charitable projects a family affair. After the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the brothers delivered gatorade, water, diapers and other crucial supplies to the victims in New Orleans.

“There will never be another Peyton Manning,” lamented Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsey, during the press conference announcing Manning’s departure. Both the owner and player expressed true sadness in the breaking of the partnership.

“This has not been easy for Jim,” said Manning on the decision.

The NFL community along with Indianapolis fans awaited the fate of a man who never seemed to quit. It seemed as though Manning may never play professional football again.

But on March 20, 2012 the football world rejoiced. Peyton Manning was back in the game, stage-Denver, Colorado. Though it was a joyous moment, many questioned Manning’s ability to play.

After his second, more serious surgery, a cervical fusion procedure, there were doubts that Manning would perform at his old level.

Those doubts were soon silenced.

In the 2012 NFL season with the Broncos, Manning led the team deep into the playoffs, only losing the 38-35 in double overtime to the Baltimore Ravens, who went on to win the Superbowl. Manning was awarded the “comeback player of the year” award,” and clutched the record for most touchdown passes in a season.

The 2013 NFL season started out just as hot as the year before. In the opening game of the season, Manning threw seven touchdown passes, a feat only five other NFL quarterbacks have achieved. That momentum has carried the Broncos through to the Superbowl.

Two seasons after saying goodbye, Indianapolis fans sit anxiously in their living rooms, surrounded by family and friends watching an old hero fight for the Superbowl title once more.