Hardaway: Doing the Right Thing

by gsdubz on Sep 28, 2007 10:20 AM PDT

It appears that Tim Hardaway has really taken steps to educate himself and become more conscious and aware after his discriminatory comments.

"I've always told my family, there's going to be bumps in the road," Hardaway said. "And I caused a huge bump, the biggest bump in my life. But I'm going to do whatever I can to correct it. That's all I can do. So that's where I am."

That process began in earnest when he learned of the institute, which has classes and programs designed to raise awareness on issues facing "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all youth."

The group, founded in 1996, seeks to prevent teen suicides while boosting the self-esteem of children and keeping them free of violence and discrimination.

"I was scared out of my ... mind," Hardaway said of his first visit. "I didn't know how they were going to act toward me. But you know what? They welcomed me with open arms. That eased a lot of my nervousness."

So he went back a second time, then a third, then a fourth.

And that early apprehension is now gone. His photo appears on the group's Web site, smiling alongside some members of the institute's staff.

"We were surprised how real our relationship with Tim got," Fugate said.

He's now considered a friend there, and his presence is so valued that Fugate released a letter earlier this month touting the work Hardaway has done.

"Thanks to his honest albeit misguided reaction, Tim did find his way to YES Institute and the education he got was not just about others, but about himself," Fugate wrote. "Because he is a role model, perhaps other people will also learn -- hopefully before bad consequences happen to them."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgiivmMr_qJ7LNmoOO1taBe8vLYF?slug=ap-hardawayremarks&prov= ap&type=lgns

It's funny when you look at how other individuals have reacted to discrimination allegations and you see a huge difference in their approach. He went quiet, didn't want any recognition for the work he did to educate himself and reach out to the community he offended, and to this day, still really wants to stay relatively under the radar to avoid the label of "making amends" and instead try to learn and become more conscious. I gotta give him mad props for doing the right thing.

But seeing as how this is an internet blog, I am sure there are people dying to still bash him, so go right ahead ladies and gents cuz it's a free country!

(But seriously, I hope you don't, I 100% forgive the guy and am proud of how he dealt with the situation).

Poll

Tim Hardaway - what do you think?

Still discriminatory, hangs out with Donny Imus

3 votes

I see improvement, but still don't like him

7 votes

He's genuine, I am proud of him and forgive him

31 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

Tim Hardaway

he played for the Warriors, and had a sweet crossover, so he'd have to do alot more than this for me not to like him

More Hardware Coming!

by gsw4life on Sep 28, 2007 12:02 PM PDT reply actions

hehe

heard that.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Sep 28, 2007 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

well

i like him as a basketball player, he can have the opinion of anything he wants to have it on, it doesn't bug me.

by djchuckdeez on Sep 28, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Bleh,

As a bballer, I loved him. I don't think he's genuinely changed, but he's doing the right thing publically.

by DubsDominate on Sep 28, 2007 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

Bygones

My threshold for forgiveness is a lot lower for evil words than for evil deeds. We've all said crap we regret. Timmy got the backlash he richly deserved (including a memorable thread on this site); now he seems to be trying to make good. Props.

As George Takei says, we don't hate you, Tim. As a matter of fact, we like you. We like you very much...

http://www.influks.com/post897.html

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 28, 2007 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

Great Video

That is the funniest thing I've seen in a while. Thanks for posting.

by olympicmike on Oct 1, 2007 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Still A Schmuck

I loved Timmy when he was a dub, but what he said on National TV was hard to forget. Prop's for realizing your stupidity and ignorance Timmy, but I bet the fact that you were and probably still are going to lose a lot of potential $ because of your comments, that is the true motivating factor of why you went to 4 classes on gay awareness. Money is always the motivating factor for most people, especially washed up professional athletes who have no real grip on reality. I wonder what Timmy's Lord up stairs thinks of gay awareness and greed? Enough on that subject. Anyway, go Warriors! I wonder if John Amici is going to invite Timmy over for a pool party anytime soon now that he has seen the light?

by gabezgsw on Oct 1, 2007 11:12 AM PDT reply actions