UConn Women: Br{ache the Silence video

[Icebear]

Unfortunately, the Br{ache simply makes it look like an ad for the candy company.

 

[cferraro04]

They're in college I hope they're doing more than just playing basketball.

True, but they get their public persona from playing basketball...I think these other things political / social tend to distract from playing the game. Academics goes with the territory...making social commercials and political commentary just prior to or during the season is distracting in my opinion. In the off season...is another story...I have no problem with any of it...except when it is dragged into the public lexicon during the season and if it distracts from what it is that they have to do to be successful during the season.

 

[doggydaddy]

True, but they get their public persona from playing basketball...I think these other things political / social tend to distract from playing the game. Academics goes with the territory...making social commercials and political commentary just prior to or during the season is distracting in my opinion. In the off season...is another story...I have no problem with any of it...except when it is dragged into the public lexicon during the season and if it distracts from what it is that they have to do to be successful during the season.

How can a video done on preseason distract them during the season?

 

[alexrgct]

I fail to see how any of this is distracting.

For one thing, there has been no news whatsoever that has fostered excitement for the WCBB season. In fact, the consensus is that UConn is going to be the prohibitive favorite to repeat. There is simply very little to say until the season starts.

For another, the issues of gay athletes in WBB in particular is one people have tried to ignore (see Baylor while Griner was there) need to go away. Issues of homophobia in WBB, I'd argue, do detract from the game, and cause some elements of the population to ignore the sport completely. Now you have THE power program in WCBB publicly supporting inclusiveness. It's also a good marketing statement in terms of promoting the notion that your program is gay-friendly (and a lot of gay women do watch WBB). In my view, inclusiveness is good for people paying attention to WBB rather than being distracted from it.

 

[meyers7]

LGBT = Lesbian Gay Bi s e xual Transgender and any time there is a Q used it's for Queer....

Well that doesn't make any sense at all.

I like the "Questioning" Q better. At least it makes sense.

 

[meyers7]

Unfortunately, the Br{ache simply makes it look like an ad for the candy company.

mmmm candy corn.

 

[meyers7]

Actually, it does to those within the various communities.

I'm sure it does there. But to the rest of the world, not so much. It would be like listing a group as Dogs and B!tches, Cats and Toms, Cows and Steers, cars and convertables. A subset of a larger group.

But their group, so they can call themselves whatever they want.

 

[meyers7]

I fail to see how any of this is distracting.

For one thing, there has been no news whatsoever that has fostered excitement for the WCBB season. In fact, the consensus is that UConn is going to be the prohibitive favorite to repeat. There is simply very little to say until the season starts.

For another, the issues of gay athletes in WBB in particular is one people have tried to ignore (see Baylor while Griner was there) need to go away. Issues of homophobia in WBB, I'd argue, do detract from the game, and cause some elements of the population to ignore the sport completely. Now you have THE power program in WCBB publicly supporting inclusiveness. It's also a good marketing statement in terms of promoting the notion that your program is gay-friendly (and a lot of gay women do watch WBB). In my view, inclusiveness is good for people paying attention to WBB rather than being distracted from it.

Agree, I don't see how it would be distracting. Just another media thing they do. Probably only took a couple hours of preps and filming. They looked like they had fun (see the bloopers), in a week or so nobody will even remember they did it.

 

[UConnCat]

How can a video done on preseason distract them during the season?

It won't be a distraction. I don't see how delivering a message of inclusion and unity could possibly be a distraction in a team sport, particularly regarding an issue that is present in the sport they play. I imagine the players feel good about themselves and proud of their video, and they should be.

 

[pinotbear]

mmmm candy corn.

new on the market, and absolutely delicious. I'm a lover of traditional candy corn, so this is in addition to, rather than in replacement of, regular candy corn.

 

[ndmb]

Well that doesn't make any sense at all.

I like the "Questioning" Q better. At least it makes sense.

The word queer is used to encompass those people whose sexualities or gender identities or sex aren't within the LGBT framework. Examples include people who are intersex, people who are asexual, and people who feel that terms like lesbian and gay reinforce a gender binary and don't represent their identities. While not everyone in the LGBT community considers themselves to be queer, it avoids the temptation to create a longer and longer acronym (LGBTQQIATP, for example) to strictly define everyone who doesn't fall within heteronormative sexuality and gender.

 

[meyers7]

The word queer is used to encompass those people whose s e xualities or gender identities or s e x aren't within the LGBT framework.

Hmmmm, that fits me. Never considered myself queer, except in the odd, unconventional, or eccentric way.

While not everyone in the LGBT community considers themselves to be queer, it avoids the temptation to create a longer and longer acronym (LGBTQQIATP, for example)

Well the way they are going, (i.e. it keeps growing and growing) I don't think they have a problem with a long acronym. They seem to tack on a new letter every couple of years. Heck eventually they will have to allow in an "H" and we'll be back to the start.

 

[RadyLady]

It won't be a distraction. I don't see how delivering a message of inclusion and unity could possibly be a distraction in a team sport, particularly regarding an issue that is present in the sport they play. I imagine the players feel good about themselves and proud of their video, and they should be.

I agree AND...there have been murmurings about negative recruiting with respect to sexual orientation in the past (not sure which schools since I heard only murmurs), so especially for recruiting this message is important - I believe anyway.

 

[Icebear]

I happen to be in Gettysburg today attending lectures for Continuing Ed on Luther and marriage and issues related to this thread which I will not address. Really excellent and very wholistic for all folks.

Also, tonight the Appalachian Brewery which boarders campus is unveiling its new beer tonight, "Luther's Bock." I foresee a few growlers heading north with me for a couple of parishioners.

I know I am weird but I can really enjoy sitting through 4 hour long plus lectures in heavy theology, it's a fun day I get day two tomorrow.

I will, also, be taking in the new Civil War Museum that in Old Dorm on the seminary campus.

 

[RadyLady]

I think this is pathetic. Many want to watch athletics only and not have to watch some advocacy for a social position run down their throat. Why this particular social position and not some other that affects far far more people?
.

Oh, you mean such as Kay Yow and breast cancer? Lotta Pink during the year, I must say. And I strongly suspect that this "social position" regarding LGBT affects many more people than you appear to believe.

 

[meyers7]

I agree AND...there have been murmurings about negative recruiting with respect to s e xual orientation in the past (not sure which schools since I heard only murmurs), so especially for recruiting this message is important - I believe anyway.

I was thinking about that and thought it could work for or against. But then thinking some more, would you really want a player/family involved with UCONN that was against inclusion?? So overall I don't think it can hurt and you're right it could help.

 

[reno tony]

Whether I agree or don't with a particular cause, I don't like people representing me without my permission. When these players wear UCONN uniforms that is what they are doing. These athletes are on scholarships, not hired diplomats for the University. If they do it while not wearing their uniforms or representing the University and all that entails, then I applaud them for standing up for what they think is right. Otherwise, leave the special causes that can bring controversy to the University's PR people.

 

[RadyLady]

Whether I agree or don't with a particular cause, I don't like people representing me without my permission. When these players wear UCONN uniforms that is what they are doing. These athletes are on scholarships, not hired diplomats for the University. If they do it while not wearing their uniforms or representing the University and all that entails, then I applaud them for standing up for what they think is right. Otherwise, leave the special causes that can bring controversy to the University's PR people.

Really? Those four represent you? How nice! Imagine being in college and not being able to do or say anything about anything, especially if it is a message about tolerance, and especially if you are on scholarship unless you have permission from everyone that follows the college team(s).

What a crock of cracker barrel cheese!

These young ladies are wonderful representatives of the university, and diplomats of a sort. I think that the message was well stated and well done.

 

[reno tony]

I guess some people just miss the point.

 

[Icebear]

Reno, my expectation is they have university support or it would not have happened. I am sure the university has a policy supporting inclusiveness.

 

[Northeast86]

Whether I agree or don't with a particular cause, I don't like people representing me without my permission. When these players wear UCONN uniforms that is what they are doing. These athletes are on scholarships, not hired diplomats for the University. If they do it while not wearing their uniforms or representing the University and all that entails, then I applaud them for standing up for what they think is right. Otherwise, leave the special causes that can bring controversy to the University's PR people.

Icebear is correct, they are simply vocalizing the non-discrimination policy of the University. Furthermore, the State of Connecticut also has an anti-discrimination policy. Perhaps if this were a different institution, in a different state that didn't afford protections and rights then I could understand (although not agree on this specific issue).

I have to say, I know LGBTQIA rights are a sensitive issue and many people don't think they have a problem with it. That being said, when you are concerned about a 2 minute video made in the preseason taking away time from training and being a distraction, were you also concerned about the "Call me Maybe" video shot during the season, which took much longer presumably. Were you concerned about the "Drop It Like It's Hot" video shot during the Final Four a couple years ago? I remember a lot of laughs and support about how funny the Huskies are, not that they should be playing basketball non stop.

http://www.uconn.edu/disclaimers-and-copyrights.php

http://www.glad.org/rights/connecticut/c/anti-discrimination-law-in-connecticut

 

[Kibitzer]

Ahem. Be reminded that LGBT and LGBTGIA are abbreviations, not acronyms.

An abbreviation is a series of letters representing a series of words (like those cited above or NSA, CIO or AFL), used for convenience in writing.

An acronym is also a series of letters representing a series of words, but in this instance they create something that can be pronounced like a word, when spoken. A few examples: NASA, scuba, POTUS, RINO or the PATRIOT Act.

And, just to stay on message, I admire the UConn wcbb (that's an abbrviation) players for taking a stand against a form of intolerance that can't possibly be near the distraction that their countless interviews for media must be. I see it as voluntary, meaningful, and just the right thing to do.

 

[meyers7]

Ahem. Be reminded that LGBT and LGBTGIA are abbreviations, not acronyms.
An acronym is also a series of letters representing a series of words, but in this instance they create something that can be pronounced like a word, when spoken. A few examples: NASA, scuba, POTUS, RINO or the PATRIOT Act.

I pronounce LGBT and LGBTGIA.

 

[Phil]

I pronounce LGBT and LGBTGIA.

Then you are allowed to call it an acronym, but no one else.

 

[UcMiami]

Whether I agree or don't with a particular cause, I don't like people representing me without my permission. When these players wear UCONN uniforms that is what they are doing. These athletes are on scholarships, not hired diplomats for the University. If they do it while not wearing their uniforms or representing the University and all that entails, then I applaud them for standing up for what they think is right. Otherwise, leave the special causes that can bring controversy to the University's PR people.

I think you can take the hint from the first moments of the video - the 'Huskies All Access' logo - that this was fully sanctioned and supported by Uconn. So if you have a beef about it, please contact the University PR department and the board about the University policy position.
Personally, I like that the university and its athletes and the state all support the idea of speaking out about discrimination and bullying - seems like a pretty good cause. And kudos to the players for participating and carrying it off so well.

 

[Icebear]

Then you are allowed to call it an acronym, but no one else.

He sounds like he is choking, however, so I am not sure that counts. People run up to him offering the Heimlich procedure.