Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 22:38:12 -0600
From: ACTION ALERT Moderator 
Subject: ACTION ALERT: Reggie White's Speech

[ submitted by GLAAD ]

** SUMMARY **

During a shocking March 25 speech to the Wisconsin Legislature, Green Bay
Packers player Reggie White accused the U.S. of going away from God by
allowing homosexuality to "run rampant." White said, "homosexuality is a
decision, it's not a race. People from all different ethnic backgrounds
live in this lifestyle. But people from all different ethnic backgrounds
also are liars and cheaters and malicious and back-stabbing." He then said,
"I've often had people ask me, 'Would you allow a homosexual to be your
friend?' Yes I will. And the reason is because I know that that person has
problems. If I can minister to those problems, I will. But the Bible
strictly speaks against it." He then explained that God had created
different races for different reasons. Blacks, he said, are gifted at
worship and celebration, while whites are good at organization. "Hispanics
were gifted in family structure, and you can see a Hispanic person, and
they can put 20, 30 people in one home," he said, adding that the Japanese
and other Asians are inventive and "can turn a television into a watch."
Assembly Speaker Scott Jenson had invited White, who is also an ordained
minister, to speak about his community work. Jenson said that sexual
orientation is biologically based, and not a decision.

Ironically, White has received the prestigious Tolerance Award of the Simon
Wisenthal Center "for his commitment to fostering tolerance and pursuing
his vision for a better America." While he later claimed his comments were
about "coming together as a society" and not meant to stereotype the races,
he explicitly stereotyped races and equated being gay with lying, cheating,
and malicious and back-stabbing behavior. "I'm absolutely appalled that
someone of White's stature would be so insensitive to a group that has
faced so much discrimination and bigotry," said openly gay ex-Green Bay
Packer Dave Kopay. GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry said, "White's
stardom gives him influence over millions of youth and adult fans. I am
shocked that he would irresponsibly use his voice in such a damaging
manner. White's assertion that being lesbian or gay is a malicious
'lifestyle' akin to dishonesty and cruelty is bizarre, wrong-headed and
factually inaccurate. GLAAD calls upon him to apologize for his divisive
and hurtful comments and asks the National Football League (NFL) and the
Green Bay Packers to separate themselves from White's prejudicial views."

** ACTION **

Insist that the Green Bay Packers and the NFL take a stand for inclusion,
understanding and true diversity by denouncing White's divisive and
ignorant comments. In addition, ask Campbell's Soup, for whom White is a
spokesperson, if this is the kind of message they want to endorse. Also,
encourage CBS Sports, who is currently considering hiring White as a sports
commentator, to seriously reconsider in light of these disturbing comments.

Contact:

… Ron Wolf, General Manager, Green Bay Packers, 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green
Bay, WI, 54304, e-mail via WWW: http://www.packers.com/fans/ask_the_packers/

… Bob Hartlan, Owner, Green Bay Packers, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI
54307, phone: 920.496.5700

… Gene Upshaw, President, NFL Players Association, 2021 L Street NW,
Washington, DC 20036, phone: 202.463.2200

… National Football League (NFL), e-mail: nfltech@aeromail.com

… Consumer Relations, Campbell's Soup Corporation, Campbell's Place, Box
26B, Camden, NJ 08103, phone: 800.257.8443, e-mail via WWW:
http://www.campbellkitchen.com/response1.asp

… Sean McManus, Sports President, CBS Sports, 524 West 57th St., New York,
NY 10019-2902, fax: 212.975.4063, e-mail via WWW:
http://www.cbs.com/navbar/feedback.html

-- 
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