Read and React: Does intent matter anymore?
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Here’s a question for you: Does intent matter?
Apparently for the Chicago Cubs, it doesn’t. At least not enough to give them pause before playing Russian Roulette with one of their own fans’ reputation.
The backstory, if you don’t already know it, is this: During Tuesday’s game, a Cubs fan found his way into the background of the TV broadcast while former Cub Doug Glanville was giving a report from the field. As people are wont to do in these situations, he took advantage of his air time. In this case, he flashed an upside-down OK symbol.
Some, like me, viewed it innocuously as playing the circle game. Others deemed it racist. (It’s too complex to go into in this space, so if you’re curious why, read more here.)
Whether the gesture is an actual symbol of “white supremacy” is up for debate, but that’s not even what’s in question here.
The fan’s intent is. Or at least, in my view, that’s what should be.
If his intent was malicious, he should be banned. No question.
But the Cubs admittedly don’t know his intent and, apparently, don’t care. Still, they were able to deem the hand gesture “ignorant and repulsive,” and it even gave Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein “shivers.” Within 24 hours, they banned the guy from Wrigley Field, saying that if he tries to enter, he could be prosecuted.
So here you have one of the most popular and powerful sports organizations in the world labeling one of its own fans a racist without knowing if he’s actually racist. That’s a hell of an accusation to make, one that carries far greater ramifications than being banned from a baseball stadium.
The Cubs’ quick reaction makes one wonder if the organizational brass is compensating for something, say, a make good in the wake of the embarrassment brought about by the publication of bigoted emails sent by … the owner of the Chicago Cubs.
“In our view,” Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said, “the burden of proof would be on [the fan]. I’m trying to think of a way he could convince us this is not what we all think it is.”
What we all think it is? Kenney himself admits that until social media alerted him, he “wouldn’t have recognized what [the gesture] meant.”
Is it too far for him to think that maybe this guy didn’t either? That maybe, just maybe, he was playing a silly game that’s been around for decades as opposed to flashing a “symbol of white supremacy” that’s existed in the fringes of the internet for barely two years?
But yeah, guilty until proven innocent. That’s the responsible reaction when it comes to a person’s reputation. I’m sure that’s how Crane Kenney and Theo Epstein would like to be treated if the roles were reversed.
Again, if the intent was malicious, the fan deserves what’s coming to him. But without knowing the intent, what the Cubs have done here is irresponsible.
I’m a Cubs fan, and I can’t stand them right now.
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