UCLA xc member's rant with racist/homophobic language blows up on social media, he's kicked off team

Being removed from a collegiate athletic team does not end someone's life. For all those "outraged" that someone could get removed from any part of their life for comments such as these made by this youthful nitwit, those complaining that anyone is attempting to end this kid's life is even more idiotic. Yet it is par for this board.

As we saw recently by the NY Times and now this case, the people who are sharing these year old videos have deeply held grudges and are extremely vindictive. You don't think the same person is sending the video to whatever school/job/etc. he is associated with for the rest of his life? They'll all react the same way for fear of being canceled themselves. Definitely life-ruining and no consequences for the ruiner.

Beefalo Bill wrote:

So you are saying this video was from BEFORE he was ever on the team? If true, it seems like this could easily be the basis of an unlawful termination lawsuit.

You're kidding right?

Rojo...can we get this correct please. It should be written the "black coach". Right?

They're destroying everything with ignorance wrote:

Brite Bart wrote:

Being removed from a collegiate athletic team does not end someone's life. For all those "outraged" that someone could get removed from any part of their life for comments such as these made by this youthful nitwit, those complaining that anyone is attempting to end this kid's life is even more idiotic. Yet it is par for this board.

But when liberals get caught in the same garbage, it is now referred to as a 'misstep', they apologize, and is forgotten.

Joe Biden has made outrageous remarks during his career, and it is looked over, and he is GIVEN the Presidency of the USA. Never cancelled, and free to keep touching kids inappropriately while making stupid remarks about everything.

So you agree with me. Great.

They're destroying everything with ignorance wrote:

Brite Bart wrote:

Being removed from a collegiate athletic team does not end someone's life. For all those "outraged" that someone could get removed from any part of their life for comments such as these made by this youthful nitwit, those complaining that anyone is attempting to end this kid's life is even more idiotic. Yet it is par for this board.

But when MEN get caught in the same garbage, it is now referred to as a 'misstep', they apologize, and is forgotten.

MEN MAKE outrageous remarks during THEIR careerS, and it is looked over, and THEY ARE GIVEN the Presidency of the USA. Never cancelled, and free to keep touching kids inappropriately while making stupid remarks about everything.

There I fixed this for you. It's now more accurate and reflects the apolitical nature of the situation.

Again. Sit down.

bryan evans wrote:

Being removed from a collegiate athletic team does not end someone's life. For all those "outraged" that someone could get removed from any part of their life for comments such as these made by this youthful nitwit, those complaining that anyone is attempting to end this kid's life is even more idiotic. Yet it is par for this board.

As we saw recently by the NY Times and now this case, the people who are sharing these year old videos have deeply held grudges and are extremely vindictive. You don't think the same person is sending the video to whatever school/job/etc. he is associated with for the rest of his life? They'll all react the same way for fear of being canceled themselves. Definitely life-ruining and no consequences for the ruiner.

Some real psychos out there. "I'm going to sit on this compromising video for years until an opportune moment to damage someone else instead of doing the right thing and addressing the bad behavior in the moment instead of pursuing vengeful retribution years down the road."

I'm not defending the racist remarks. But I certainly don't defend opportunistic, vengeful behavior on whoever released this video so long after the fact. If the whistle blower actually cared about equality, they would have spoken out in the moment at which this incident occurred.

biggest question1 wrote:

They're destroying everything with ignorance wrote:

But when MEN get caught in the same garbage, it is now referred to as a 'misstep', they apologize, and is forgotten.

MEN MAKE outrageous remarks during THEIR careerS, and it is looked over, and THEY ARE GIVEN the Presidency of the USA. Never cancelled, and free to keep touching kids inappropriately while making stupid remarks about everything.

There I fixed this for you. It's now more accurate and reflects the apolitical nature of the situation.

Again. Sit down.

Nothing in our current world is apolitical. Nothing. Politics is the virus, and it is everywhere.

biggest question1 wrote:

They're destroying everything with ignorance wrote:

But when MEN get caught in the same garbage, it is now referred to as a 'misstep', they apologize, and is forgotten.

MEN MAKE outrageous remarks during THEIR careerS, and it is looked over, and THEY ARE GIVEN the Presidency of the USA. Never cancelled, and free to keep touching kids inappropriately while making stupid remarks about everything.

There I fixed this for you. It's now more accurate and reflects the apolitical nature of the situation.

Again. Sit down.

How do you know the poster is standing? Not everyone uses a VariDesk.

UCLA is a public institution, bound by the First Amendment. California also has a statute on the books prohibiting disciplinary action for off-campus speech, unless that speech is outside of the First Amendment's protection (i.e., incitement, true threats, child porn, etc.).

Not sure 1A guarantees the right to run Division 1 track and field though.

John Macardle wrote:

I would not want this bum as a teammate. I am not surprised that many Bruins felt the same.

Yup.

Not any more whiny than you have likely been throughout your career. He likely made it further than you ever did. He made a mistake speaking out in emotion as a kid, and will be a contributing member to the world, graduating from a leading university. Believe it or not, he shouldn't be condemned for the rest of his life, and will grow up.

You on the other hand have clearly not grown up if you are posting crap like this. People make mistakes when they are kids, but he will receive proper counsel and move forward.

Berkeley? I thought University of California at Los Angeles was located...in Los Angeles?

Runner10287 wrote:

Not sure 1A guarantees the right to run Division 1 track and field though.

Depends what you mean. Of course being an NCAA athlete is a privilege, and not a right. But typically, privileges can't be revoked (by state actors like public schools) in retaliation for protected speech.

Keep in mind that this was a private conversation that occurred prior to the guy enrolling at UCLA. It would be a different situation if this were speech that happened during practice, for instance, or if he were trying to use his status as a UCLA athlete to spread a particular message.

For what it's worth, I'm a practicing First Amendment lawyer, though this particular case is a little outside my wheelhouse. There are, undoubtedly, relevant cases that I haven't read.

And just to be clear, I'm not condoning anything that this guy said! I do find it a bit disturbing, however, that everyone (the team, the coach, and people on this thread) seem to think there's nothing sketchy about this whole situation from a free speech perspective. I'm not that old, but 15 years ago, the reaction would have been very different.

Good posts from Rojo, and I echo the sentiment as well. No one should wish to ruin someone's life at roughly 20 years of age. It is amazing how much you change from just early 20's to late 20's. I can say that having just experienced that.

15 years ago I still wouldn’t have wanted him as a teammate.

Anyone who has read more than two pages of American history has to know that sexual insecurity was,is and will

always be at the root of racism in America.The fear of Ms Ann smiling at a black man has plagued America for over

400 years.This only confirms it.

Easy to judge... wrote:

Good posts from Rojo, and I echo the sentiment as well. No one should wish to ruin someone's life at roughly 20 years of age. It is amazing how much you change from just early 20's to late 20's. I can say that having just experienced that.

Good post!

However, I understand the immediate anger and emotional response to what is essentially hate speech. But, once you take a few deep breaths and deep thoughts, hopefully you realize punishment can take many forms, it must be age appropriate and rehabilitative when possible.

TrackCoach wrote:

However, I understand the immediate anger and emotional response to what is essentially hate speech. But, once you take a few deep breaths and deep thoughts, hopefully you realize punishment can take many forms, it must be age appropriate and rehabilitative when possible.

Hey coach, I hear he is going to need a new coach very soon. If I were you I'd jump a the chance to save his life. Be the hero!