One kid's trash is another kid's...

[JetMetFan]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey high school athletes who talk trash could find their teams penalized and themselves under investigation by the state Civil Rights Division.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and the state Attorney General's Office announced the new policy on Wednesday.

They say it brings athletic events into line with the state's anti-bullying law for schools.

The sports policy goes into place this fall.

Participants could be in trouble if they make harassing statements related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Referees would also be required to report incidents for possible further investigation.

[JRutledge]

SMDH!!!!

Really?

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

SMDH!!!!

Really?

Peace

Agreed. Civil Rights Division? Seriously?

[JRutledge]

So are they going to get involved when kids talk trash to each other on the playground? What about when playing video games?

Peace

[Nevadaref]

They will be focusing on an Illinois state championship game.

[Bad Zebra]

Leave it to the northeast to try to regulate trashtalking in an athletic event. Am I surprised? Not at all...but I would expect Connecticut or Massachusetts to be the first followed closely thereafter by New York. The only thing left would be to try to find a way to tax trash talking as well. I'd love to see the form the officials are expected to use to report such incidents.

[Multiple Sports]

Rut -

We had our posts deleted, just to let you know, I respected your opinion on the matter....

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I'd love to see the form the officials are expected to use to report such incidents.

The form probably be the least of the worries. NJ already has an online form for Ts/ejections. It'll just be a matter of writing what little Johnny or Janey said. Nothing like a good old "he said, (s)he said."

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Adam

Agreed. Civil Rights Division? Seriously?

Isn't freedom of speech a civil right?

Mind you, that isn't applicable on the court, but when the government gets involved, that's overstepping.

JMF, I have to wonder what Gov. Christie would say to this.

[BatteryPowered]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Isn't freedom of speech a civil right?

Mind you, that isn't applicable on the court, but when the government gets involved, that's overstepping.

JMF, I have to wonder what Gov. Christie would say to this.

Yep...but participating in extracirricular activities is not. Want to play...you play by my rules. Don't like the rules...don't play.

That said...this is stupid and virtually impossible to enforce. So, if an official issues a T for taunting does the player also get charged with a crime?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

So, if an official issues a T for taunting does the player also get charged with a crime?

No. It would depend upon what the kid said to the opponent and even then it's not as though the kid is going off to jail or being sued for a civil rights violation. If the comments were related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion there could be issues. If the comment was about someone's mother or their opponent's inability to guard them, then it's business as usual.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

No. It would depend upon what the kid said to the opponent and even then it's not as though the kid is going off to jail or being sued for a civil rights violation. If the comments were related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion there could be issues. If the comment was about someone's mother or their opponent's inability to guard them, then it's business as usual.

AFAIC, it should be business as usual either way. 15 year olds don't need this stuff showing up on a permanent record in 10 years. Deal with the issue, teach the lessons that can be taught on the field/court. Sending them through the legal system is ridiculous, IMO.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

Rut -

We had our posts deleted, just to let you know, I respected your opinion on the matter....

That is fine. I just feel our society is changing so much it does not matter what political affiliation people have, this world has gotten really over the top in what is considered offensive and over the top. Kids used to work things out and now adults have gotten in the way of everything.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Kids used to work things out and now adults have gotten in the way of everything.

Anybody remember do-overs?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Adam

AFAIC, it should be business as usual either way. 15 year olds don't need this stuff showing up on a permanent record in 10 years. Deal with the issue, teach the lessons that can be taught on the field/court. Sending them through the legal system is ridiculous, IMO.

I'm not saying I agree with how it's being handled I'm just trying to explain it as best as I understand what's going on. Interestingly, NJSIAA's officials' handbook already had something about situations like this:

In addition to the NJSIAA disciplinary action, any violations of our sportsmanship rule, including, but not limited to disqualifications in the area of racial, ethnic, gender bias, will result in the NJSIAA contacting and working directly with the Conference and Community Agency (Human Rights/Civil Rights Group) which focuses in on this important aspect of social behavior as it relates to athletics.

I can't seem to find anything specific from this past season that prompted a change to take situations out of the hands of the CCA and put them into the hands of the AG office's Civil Rights division. My guess is the situations at Rutgers over past few years - both athletic (Mike Rice) and non-athletic (Tyler Clementi) - had more than a little to do with it.