Very inappropriate comments from fans and how to address

[Adam]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

How is it different if someone calls me a Mick or a Big Hitler or a Nazi? Why is that different than the OP? Because of the color of my skin? These are still slurs. Or should these slurs be treated differently for some reason? They are still inappropriate. I still maintain that blocking out such commentary is the most effective.

But, once again, I understand that I am in the minority, here.

Those are racial slurs and will earn a quick ticket to the outdoors. If they harp on my weight, eye sight, foot size, hair color, or whatever, I'm fine. Don't get into race, though. Riots don't start from arguments about foot size. They do come from racial arguments, though.

BTW, racial slurs fit into your category 1.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Big difference from the OP's complaint. BIG difference.

Yes, a very big difference. Not even close.

Peace

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Big difference from the OP's complaint. BIG difference.

Yup...........anything racial should be dealt with swiftly, in any situation, anywhere.

[williebfree]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

... I try to completely block out any comments directed at me. .... The bottom line is that there are lots of things people can identify to try to get under my skin.

Other than that, I try my darnedest to just ignore them. I do not want to give them the satisfaction that they have been able to get under my skin.

If you followed my first response.... I did not advocate for a stoppage of the game. I suggested making the AD/GM aware of the comments and trust they will promptly deal with the situation. At that point, I refocus on the game.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by williebfree

If you followed my first response.... I did not advocate for a stoppage of the game. I suggested making the AD/GM aware of the comments and trust they will promptly deal with the situation. At that point, I refocus on the game.

I would also add that if, as an official, you are losing your focus on the game due to the commentary being used, you now need to get game management involved to have the individual(s) removed. It is a corollary to my reason 2. for removing a spectator. In this case, their actions are not affecting the play of the players, but are affecting the ability of the official to perform his/her duties as an official.

[mutantducky]

----Op,.Or if a player comes up to me and says they are hearing racist things then I'm getting some sort of admin person over there to the trouble area right away.
I wasn't a ref at the time but I've known of trouble from white fans and I've seen a black fan get kicked out for it too. schools don't want to be embarrassed or have that sort of rep so hopefully they will deal with it promptly.

[Adam]

If I hear racial slurs coming from the stands, they're done. I don't care if it's directed at me (white) or a partner of any skin tone. When I'm with my friends (of various races), we've been known to joke around with that stuff, but not in this setting, not ever.

For the first time ever, I dealt with some fans this year. Some kids were sitting in the corner during a Freshman girls game making a bunch of comments all game. Then I heard a couple of F-bombs, and told them to cool it. They responded less than favorably, so I ignored it the rest of the game (it was almost over).

On the way to the locker room to wait for our next game, I informed the GM that she had a couple knuckleheads in the corner dropping F-bombs and she could deal with it however she wanted.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by grunewar

As I read these posts I just find it utterly incredible that we are even talking about these types of situations in 2009! Amazing, in a sad way. I hope I never have to deal with it. But, as always, the Forum has given me food for thought in case I do.

Originally Posted by IREFU2

Why?

Just because I haven't seen it or heard it in any of the areas and leagues I've done - ever. I've had my share of name calling, and I suck, and I'm blind, and I missed it, and I don't know the rules, etc. But, it has never degraded to this point....and I just think it's sad to hear that this type of behavior still exists when we're talking about a game. JMO

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

My hair is rather short; My forehead is a bit, uh, long; I have bushy eyebrows to the point that I have been referred to as "unibrow"; I am somewhat taller than average; and I weigh a decent amount less than average (some may say thin); I have pretty big feet (not quite clown-like, but big); I get up and down the court rather quickly, but my long arms and legs can look stork-like to some; and I'm not the best lookin' guy in the gym.

Wait a minute. Didn't you write the Emancipation Proclamation, and make an important speech called the Gettysburg Address? I would suggest that you don't buy tickets to Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater.

Some people think that I look like Steve Garvey. Fans yell, "Cheater", and, "Paternity suit", at my games. I don't favor one team when I officiate, and I think that I look good in a suit, so the yelling doesn't bother me.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Wait a minute. Didn't you write the Emancipation Proclamation, and make an important speech called the Gettysburg Address? I would suggest that you don't buy tickets to Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater.

Some people think that I look like Steve Garvey. Fans yell, "Cheater", and, "Paternity suit", at my games. I don't favor one team when I officiate, and I think that I look good in a suit, so the yelling doesn't bother me.

About this time of the season, I can FEEL like I am about 200....

[kgeorge0263]

I was quite entertained, educated, relieved, etc. from all the posts to this thread. I definitely feel I could have done something with game management regarding my situation that has now happened two times. I know that by contacting game management that this situation could've been rectified or at least addressed, but it is something difficult to do..as pointing out to individuals that this is happening. This also brings the situation up again, where it can play with your head. I guess I did the easy thing by ignoring it, which in the big picture is not the best thing. I think if it happens again, I will talk to the game manager, so at least that individual and other fans know that this will not be tolerated. It is just not my personality or nature to ruffle feathers, even though I was not the individual to start the conflict. Although I have done better dealing with normal "t's" with unsportsmanlike acts by coaches and players, I still feel uncomfortable dealing with fans when they do something like this. I also don't like to cause attention to myself in dealing with a racial comment.

Thanks again and good luck with the rest of your season!

Thanks for your support...

-KG

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by kgeorge0263

It has now happened 2 times to me where a fan has made a very inappropriate racial comment towards me during my basketball games.

The first situation, I was called a "chink" in some manner where they yelled about either my calls or not having calls for their team. I was offended, but did not let it bother me. I looked into the crowd to let that individual know I heard them, but could not pinpoint the individual.

Today, I had someone say something similar with chinaman in it. Same thing...I could not tell who it was.

What do you think is appropriate to do in this situation? I know certain races/ethnicities are highly offended by certain words used against them, so being a proud Korean, I do take offense to these comments.

Any words of wisdom would be helpful.....

Thanks...

I had this problem in a college game over the past weekend. There was this one fan making borderline comments to the opposing team. My partner looked at security and then the armed guard started moving over towards the person making the comments and he shut up for the rest of the game.