|
Wow, this thread is getting involved. Not surprising since any issue involving race is a lightning rod in America. Not necessarily good or bad, just the way it is.
First of all, I personally wouldn't have T'd the kid. As Rut said, this is much different than the "N word." To me, the N word is profanity and an automatic T. This kid just made a stupid comment that was as ignorant as it was wrong. Make no mistake, I would straighten him out real quick with something like, "hey number 24, I call them as I see them just like my partner does. He doesn't care which team wins this game any more than I do. The only thing we care about is that we keep it as fair as we can. I will not tolerate any more comments like that." Now he's had his "sportsmanlike warning."
If someone I was working with felt the need to call a T in that situation, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but I can't see me calling one at that point. My skin (no pun intended) is thicker than that.
What I don't agree with Rut on is changing the way I call fouls on that particular kid. That's worse than just calling a T, clearing the slate and moving on. Calling fouls on him later in the game that wouldn't be a foul by any other player is "holding a grudge" and approaches unethical, IMHO. Besides, you're penalizing more than just that kid by doing that... your penalizing his teammates with those "additional fouls" as well.
As far as having to fill out reports or having to justify a T with an assignor, I couldn't care less. I do what I think is appropriate at the time to manage the game without worrying about some backseat driver later. I do everything I can to "preventative officiate" but if a T is needed, a T will be given.
Z
|