NBA code

I am amazed at times by the silly and often tunneled-visioned responses that come out of the publics mouths. To hear that some people would ever claim that a dress code is an infringement of personal expression is ludicrous. To further state that it is racist is beyond words.

The fact that we are speaking about a small group of multi-millionares is not as relavant as the fact that we are speaking about a business. The NBA, like the NFL or NHL ect., are all businesses and that is the bottom line. Like any other business there are expectations of its employees, to be polite and presentable when dealing with the public. When was the last time you went into a major business establishment and found a punk rock-attired employee (outside of companies where such attire is part of the daily operation and image)? How many Goths are in full regailia as they serve you dinner in a resturant or selling you a new car?

In addition to that is the fact that, as Sarah Fredericks [as an example but not to single her out] states in her comment to the Albany times Union "Being a player in the NBA is a relaxed profession, not your typical 9-to-5 office job." This is something I do agree with, but she goes on to say "The NBA is sending a message to young fans, all right: Unless you adhere to the certain mold created and maintained by the dominant group, there is little chance you will prevail."

While the NBA is not a 9-5 office job, it is a job. And it is a job that directly interacts with the public on a global scale. Is it a smart descision for the owners and advertisers to alienate any portion of that worldwide market? And why would any owners of any business want to have an association (inferred or otherwise) with anything that promotes drugs, irresponsibility, violence, crime and derrogation of women (which the majority of hip-hop songs currently do) as an example.

As for the second statement, is it so horrible to expect the youth of today to dress in a classier style than 3XXX size garments and overabundant amounts of jewlery? Is it somehow mindless to wear and look good in suits (designer hand made in the case of these multi-millionares). Is Puffy any less of a creative figure due to the suits and ofits he wears (most being decidedly non-hiphop)? What about a statement made by Michael Jordan which I will paraphrase as I recall it, that as an international figure that recieves media attention worldwide he feels it is his responsibility to always be seen in public looking as good as possible, since he cannot say what impression will be made on the youth that happen to see him outside of his work, but that he want it to be a positive one.

I won't go into the thought that seems to be expressed often that the black/minority youth of today should be encouraged to seek out a life in sports at the exclusion of learning and the pursuit of knowledge. But to state that a dress code to maintain a unified and coherent business image during their extremely short work season that is positive, is restrictive to this group of multi-millionares is just laffable.

But what do you think?