Is the new NBA dress code racially motivated?

[grimfan]

If you didn't know, the NBA has instituted a new dress code banning players from wearing things like chains, excessive and oversized jewelry, throwback sports jerseys, doo-rags, etc.

Source:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9679068/

Some NBA players, such as Stephen Jackson and Allen Iverson, have spoken out against this code, saying that it specifically targets young black males, and is therefore racist. I agree with them because David Stern is not trying to target Yao Ming, Steve Nash, or Manu Ginobili here, and it's pretty obvious who the targets are. It is a racially motivated code, although whether or not it's offensive enough to be racist is up for question.

But how accurate is the hip hop image in defining young blacks? After all, the majority of rap consumers are whites. Are not 50 Cent and his ilk just modern day Sambos, dancing for their "white masters" to club beats and shoddy lyrics? There are other rappers, like Kanye West, Mos Def, etc. who do not conform to the typical gangsta rapper image that the white kids seem to eat up so ravenously, but they are usually not as commercially successful (Kanye West being the anomaly). Is the image of the hyper-sexualized, violent, and uneducated gangsta rapper an image created by blacks because they wanted it, or is it simply market forces at work? It's a case of the chicken or the egg.

Is this another case of minorities being forced into stereotypes they would not want to be in, then forcing them to defend it as their "heritage" or "culture"? The same thing can happen with Asians, where society tells us that true Asians are short, nerdy, ineloquent, and socially undesirable, and that anybody who breaks this mold must have "sold out". Hip hop culture, which is mainly consumed by non-blacks (in other words, whites) seems to be telling generations of black children that the only true blacks spurn education, settle their problems with violence, use women as objects, etc. And then, young blacks who grew up on this image then are forced to defend it as their culture when they grow up.

[thaite]

This is a dress code for gametime correct? Well, then I agree with it. Things like jewelry and stuff can cause injury in a contact sport. They get tangled up, they get in the way. You wear what's necessary for the game. For someone who earns millions of dollars per year, adhering to the dress code for a couple hours a week during gametime should not be an issue. People need to get their priorities straight.

[Banana]

No, this is also when the team is on the road. I say it's been long overdue and it's a decent attempt to clean up the image of the NBA as being a bunch of hoodlums.

[moJo]

This is a dress code for gametime correct? Well, then I agree with it. Things like jewelry and stuff can cause injury in a contact sport. They get tangled up, they get in the way. You wear what's necessary for the game. For someone who earns millions of dollars per year, adhering to the dress code for a couple hours a week during gametime should not be an issue. People need to get their priorities straight.
it's for gametime - but for the players not in uniform who are on the bench (who are on the IL).
i personally think it's unnecessary.

[kimpossible]

If you didn't know, the NBA has instituted a new dress code banning players from wearing things like chains, excessive and oversized jewelry, throwback sports jerseys, doo-rags, etc.


The list also includes t-shirts, shorts and headphones. Overall, I think they're trying to go for professionalism more than making everyone dress 'white.' But I also think it's punishment for all based on the misconduct of a few. Most that come to mind are Blazers doing dumb shit like choking coaches, running dog fighting rings, racing down I-5 like it's the Autobahn high as a kite in a Hummer.

They do have to get rid of the trashiness of a few but it doesn't seem fair to make it that strict for an entire league of young men, or fans that don't necessarily want to see players look like corporate weenies.

But then again, I'm not a basketball fan so maybe I don't understand the situation that well.

[deez nuts]

i'm sure to a certain degree it is a backlash to hiphop culture. but, i think it's more to appease to corporate sponsorship which basically funds the league, the teams and the players.

the new dress code doesn't only affect players like allen iverson. it also affects players like steve nash who regularly wears jeans and t-shirts on game day.

[Arex]

If it's for players sitting on the bench, I think it's pretty stupid. I don't know why one would necessarily want to dress like a "hoodlum," or get all bling-blinged out in the first place, but I think the players ought to have that right. And even if I or the league or anyone else thinks a player is dressing "down," I'm sure the players that dress that way don't agree with that assessment and feel they're dressing in a way they think is stylish and appropriate. So to the extent that the league is associating a certain style of dress as inappropriate or as "dirtying" the NBA's image, that's racist.

[bluemonq]

how does the NBA associating a certain style of dress as inappropriate make it racist? are you saying that mode of dress is predominant and intrinsic to a particular race, and the NBA, in a slap to that group's face, deemed that style improper? because that's what you seem to be saying.

[nonamerasian]

I see the complaining players' point that they are required to dress up a lot, but it's kinda like the game day dress codes at some secondary schools where players dress formally every time they are representing the school.

When travelling between schools attending team functions.

It makes the teams look disciplined and respectable.

That's an image the NBA needs.

And, unlike kids, these players are paid handsomely to represent their institution (the NBA franchise).

The players are going to work.

It wouldn't hurt if they looked like it.

[Arex]

how does the NBA associating a certain style of dress as inappropriate make it racist? are you saying that mode of dress is predominant and intrinsic to a particular race, and the NBA, in a slap to that group's face, deemed that style improper? because that's what you seem to be saying.I don't think a style of dress must be intrinsic or even predominant in order for a prohibition on that style of dress to be seen as potentially racist. I think even popular is enough if it has a disparate impact on one ethnicity. It's more the judgment by the NBA that these certain items of clothing, popular among Black players, are somehow inappropriate or tarnish the image of the NBA, that I find racist.

But in the league's defense, aside from the ban on the bling bling (which seems ridiculous to me), if they're simply trying enforce a blanket "business casual" dress code (as evidenced by the ban on jeans), vs. selectively prohibiting certain attire popular primarily among Afrcan Americans, I see it as less problematic. Kinda like how I'm fine with schools requiring uniforms whereas I'm fully opposed to schools saying no baggy jeans, no blue and red flannels or other "gang" attire.

[haplesshobo]

it's for gametime - but for the players not in uniform who are on the bench (who are on the IL).
i personally think it's unnecessary.

Its also for news conferences after the game.

So, Kobe can't wear anymore throwback jerseys afterwards but would have to be dressed up.

[yoMAMA]

NBA needs to learn some gentlemanly behaviour from the vikings.

:biggrin:

[grimfan]

how does the NBA associating a certain style of dress as inappropriate make it racist? are you saying that mode of dress is predominant and intrinsic to a particular race, and the NBA, in a slap to that group's face, deemed that style improper? because that's what you seem to be saying.

That's my main point, that black culture shouldn't be summed up by gaudy jewelry and throwback jerseys. But it is. Why is that? Do blacks choose that image for themselves? Or is it fuelled by the rap industry, a business that gets most of its profits from the pockets of young whites? As I said before, are the G-Unit guys just modern day Sambos?

[Hiroshi2]

Even high school teams dress up on game day.


I don't see what the problem is. I know they can afford all of the finest Armani suits, etc.? So what the fuss?


Honestly, as far as this being a backlash to rap culture or whatever, who cares. 50 cent is still 50 cent even when he has on a suit. Al Pacino still looked like scarface when he had on his suit.


Stop actin like little bitches and just put on the suits. It's common knowledge among black people that anytime you're trying to sell shit to white people (and the NBA players are basically products that are being sold to millions of people around the world, most of whom are probably white) that you have to act a little bit classier, and more upscale than what you would on the block, back in the hood or whatever. White people don't go for that ghetto shit, they're not gonna invest money in or with "hoodlums", especially not black ones. The rap game might be the only exception where white people's stereotypes of black males are exploited for profit. Other than that.....................no, just put on the damn suit. Shit. It's not that hard.

[miksong]

You know its racially motivated. I mean for the last couple of years the NBA and NFL has done everything to "whiten" up the league a little more. If you notice, the NFL plays alot more Rock and stuff and the NBA with this.

[grimfan]

I don't think it's to "whiten" the league as much as it is to "de-blackify" it. Also, I've noticed a significant push to "Asianize" the NBA: just look at the latest shoe commercials. I think the NBA is afraid that its league will become an increasingly niche sport for hip hop enthusiasts, and drive out the casual viewers.

[Faithless]

The policy from NBA.com.

http://www.nba.com/news/player_dress_code_051017.html

NBA Player Dress Code

1. General Policy: Business Casual
Players are required to wear Business Casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business.

"Business Casual" attire means

A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater.
Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans.
Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.


2. Exceptions to Business Casual

There are the following exceptions to the general policy of Business Casual attire:

a. Players In Attendance At Games But Not In Uniform

Players who are in attendance at games but not in uniform are required to wear the following additional items when seated on the bench or in the stands during the game:

Sport Coat
Dress shoes or boots, and socks


b. Players Leaving the Arena

Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.

c. Special Events or Appearances

Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate -- e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.

3. Excluded Items

The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time while on team or league business:

Sleeveless shirts
Shorts
T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team-identified, and approved by the team)
Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for the event or appearance, team-identified, and approved by the team)
Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes
Sunglasses while indoors
Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room)


*** *** ***

Here's a good article on the con-side of the dress code. It makes several points that I agree with, but it also raises this issue, too:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9679068/

One wonders if Stern's dress code will also exclude the $100 sneakers that fuel so much of his league with their advertising dollars?

And it's not just the sneakers with the logos the corporate sports industry wants them to flaunt, it's all the other gear -- the tee-shirts, the other shirts, shorts, socks, headbands, (pants, I think), etc.

All that multi-million dollar corporate advertising in the form of multi-million dollar human billboards would now possibly be replaced by items from Mens Warehouse?

Can George Zimmer guarentee that?

I was hoping to see something from www.nbpa.com (the NBA Players Association web site), but I can't find any complaints yet. Players have been doing that individually.

But I'd be more interested in knowing if the likes of Nike, Converse, Reebok, etc., etc., would be saying, "Who the fuck does Stern think he is?"

[ahsingjai]

With those accounting business suits, those players will end up bankrupt on the score board.

[Faithless]

Is basketball the only sport where they don't wear khakis and polo shirts outside of their uniform?

[ahsingjai]

I heard this on Real time with Bill Maher from Chris Webber.

"For everybody who said this is racist, is like saying a black person can't be fresh and fly."

[mrazntre]

The reasoning behind the dress code is weak, IMO. David Stern said that he wanted to lay down a minimum dress code that most teams already employ. NBA players are employed by their respective teams and should adhere to their team's policies. There's just no way around it. However, if the NBA says that teams already have a satisfactory system in place, then why does it need to be addressed now? There's no need for it. The players aren't in a board meeting, they're sitting AT A GAME. When's the last time you wore a suit to watch a game? How are you supposed to get in the huddle with your guys, cheer them on and all that if you're wearing a suit? That's just stupid.

The uniform is their suit. That's their dress code. Period.

I could understand if Sterns wanted some sort of team unity to show on the bench, ie. wear their team's clothing. such as a warm up or something. if I were mark cuban or some other outspoken owner, I'd tell the guys to screw the dress code and wear Mavs gear to the games.

[achtungbaby]

The policy from NBA.com.

http://www.nba.com/news/player_dress_code_051017.html

NBA Player Dress Code

1. General Policy: Business Casual
Players are required to wear Business Casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business.

"Business Casual" attire means

A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater.
Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans.
Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.


2. Exceptions to Business Casual

There are the following exceptions to the general policy of Business Casual attire:

a. Players In Attendance At Games But Not In Uniform

Players who are in attendance at games but not in uniform are required to wear the following additional items when seated on the bench or in the stands during the game:

Sport Coat
Dress shoes or boots, and socks


b. Players Leaving the Arena

Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.

c. Special Events or Appearances

Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate -- e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.

3. Excluded Items

The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time while on team or league business:

Sleeveless shirts
Shorts
T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team-identified, and approved by the team)
Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for the event or appearance, team-identified, and approved by the team)
Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes
Sunglasses while indoors
Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room)


*** *** ***

Here's a good article on the con-side of the dress code. It makes several points that I agree with, but it also raises this issue, too:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9679068/

One wonders if Stern's dress code will also exclude the $100 sneakers that fuel so much of his league with their advertising dollars?

And it's not just the sneakers with the logos the corporate sports industry wants them to flaunt, it's all the other gear -- the tee-shirts, the other shirts, shorts, socks, headbands, (pants, I think), etc.

All that multi-million dollar corporate advertising in the form of multi-million dollar human billboards would now possibly be replaced by items from Mens Warehouse?

Can George Zimmer guarentee that?

I was hoping to see something from www.nbpa.com (the NBA Players Association web site), but I can't find any complaints yet. Players have been doing that individually.

But I'd be more interested in knowing if the likes of Nike, Converse, Reebok, etc., etc., would be saying, "Who the fuck does Stern think he is?"

This is absurd and retarded. What's the impetus for such draconian regulations?

I agree -- I think the players should turn this around on him and respond by attacking his pocketbook. It's the only way people understand sometimes.

[grimfan]

This is absurd and retarded. What's the impetus for such draconian regulations?

I think the Ron Artest incident was the single most contributing factor. The image of a young, buff, and violent black male is all-too threatening for most "American" families. For years, the NBA has adopted the hip hop culture in order to expand its popularity, practically branding itself as the sport of the streets (football's for hicks, hockey's for Canadians, and baseball's for squares).

[Hanuman]

The bottom line is, I don't think race is the motivating factor. I think Business is. Dollars and cents (sense). The NBA has been steadily losing viewers since the Michael Jordon days, and Corporate sponsers want something done fast. Look at the Yankees. A huge franchise where image is everything. They have strict dress codes, no facial hair etc. and it's not a big deal. They are all professionals and they deal with it.

Do the same in the NBA and now it's racist? Please. Why cause they can't where what they want to work? Come on. They are professionals, getting paid a lot of money to do what they like to do. There are people who make a lot of money working in the the corporate world too, Wall Street, Law, and others and guess what. They are expected to dress a certain way and they do. These people need to grow up.

[moJo]

it may not be aimed at race, but what about towards the hiphop culture?

why can't they just make suits mandatory without banning "chains, pendants, or medallions"?

[Faithless]

Is it about image or attitude (or both)?

So, you drop the gold chains and sleeveless tees, and dawn the preppy look. Doesn't help the hotheads who still goes into the stands and attempt the beatdowns. I guess it is less threatening to those who mentally afix all sorts of ideas behind the imagery.

And who can really afford those tickets, anyway? And is the NBA pandering to them? Maybe, the NBA should just be honest in this way to its players. "You play for the other man and not the brother man. Recognize, mister G, sir."

[ahsingjai]

Is it about image or attitude (or both)?

So, you drop the gold chains and sleeveless tees, and dawn the preppy look. Doesn't help the hotheads who still goes into the stands and attempt the beatdowns. I guess it is less threatening to those who mentally afix all sorts of ideas behind the imagery.

And who can really afford those tickets, anyway? And is the NBA pandering to them? Maybe, the NBA should just be honest in this way to its players. "You play for the other man and not the brother man. Recognize, mister G, sir."

They can't beat down people in GQ style.