NBA player Jason Collins is gay. Who cares? Why is this news? And more importantly why did President Obama call him to congratulate him? Like other famous gay Americans, Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper, to name a few, it seems Washington Wizards Jason Collins wanted to put himself in the “spotlight.”
Collins broke the news in a lengthy article published in Sports Illustrated and said:
“I've never sought the spotlight. Though I'm coming out to the world, I intend to guard my privacy. I'm making this blanket statement in part to keep rumors and misunderstandings at bay. I hope fans will respect me for raising my hand. And I hope teammates will remember that I've never been an in-your-face kind of guy. All you need to know is that I'm single. I see no need to delve into specifics.”
Be gay, but why announce your sexual preference unless you want to attract attention to yourself and “grab the spotlight”? A person’s sexuality shouldn’t be news and it certainly shouldn’t warrant a call from the President of the United States.
Not waiting a day or better yet opting not to contact Collins, Obama phoned the NBA player within hours of the article being posted online to congratulate Collins for his “courage.” Perplexing on many levels that Obama thought contacting Collins rose to the level of such national urgency.
Obama wasn’t so quick to call and console the families of Americans slaughtered in Benghazi by terrorists. It took his administration weeks to even call the attack on our consulate in Benghazi a terrorist attack. But Obama has time to call an NBA player to congratulate him on being gay.
How many of the Boston bombing survivors or families of those killed did Obama call immediately after the terrorist attack? Days after performing at Obama’s second inaugural, 15 year old Haydia Pendleton was gunned down by two thugs in Chicago two miles from Obama’s Chicago home. Did Obama call her parents within hours to console them? But he had time to call an NBA player to congratulate him on being gay.
Syrian President Bashar al Assad has waged a civil war on his people for nearly two years, killing 80,000 Syrians and according from Israel, Britain and France, Assad also used chemical weapons on citizens. During his White House press conference April 30th, Obama said he needs more proof Assad used chemical weapons on his people. “Obviously, there are options that are available to me that are on the shelf right now that we have not deployed,” added Obama.
Obama doesn’t have time to deal seriously with Syria but he has time to make a frivolous phone call to NBA player Jason Collins to congratulate him on being gay.
First Lady Michelle Obama also thought it was important to congratulate Collins.
“@FLOTUS So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! –mo”
For all her talk about wanting kids to eat healthy, be the best the can, the First Lady should be praising kids who are escaping poverty and failing schools to make something of their lives. That takes courage. Does Michelle have their backs? A rich NBA player announcing his sexuality doesn’t take courage or warrant the First Lady’s praise.
Talk about misplaced priorities. By phoning Jason Collins, Obama promotes NBA players as role models for kids, especially blacks, when he should be promoting men like Dr. Ben Carson. Jason Collins is not a role model! Carson is a role model. Through education, Carson rose from abject poverty to become one of the world’s best pediatric neurosurgeons.
The real disgrace is instead of focusing on the country’s serious problems of chronic unemployment, which has remained above 7.5% for the past 5 years, the worst economic recovery in 80 years, America’s unsustainable $17 trillion debt and national security threats at home and abroad, Obama makes it a priority to congratulate a pro-athlete for “coming out of the closet.” America has more important things to worry about Mr. President. Maybe you should too.