So Rob Port thinks the appropriate punishment for ugly racial taunts at sporting events is thus: The team whom the taunter is cheering for forfeits a game, then a season, then several seasons, depending on the number of incidents.
These incidents are indeed appalling, and punishment should be appropriate and swift. But Port’s response is misguided and overwrought. In another column, he surmises that the death penalty for murderers is on the wane because it’s not a deterrent. But his own sporting death penalty of sanctioning the team for the actions of some fans will, he opines, work wonderfully. Nobody will utter racial epithets if their team will forfeit.
Yes, and burning the offenders at the stake would deter future racist behavior. Totally ill-advised, of course, but at least directed toward the responsible people.
Of course, schools need to get more vigorous on kicking the bums out of games and suspending them from school. Of course, parents or anybody who hears this stuff need to intervene.
But unless it’s a player, or coach, or school official making the racist comments, don’t kill the team for what somebody in the 12th row is doing.
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Port’s remedy reminds me of occasions in grade school when certain teachers would unfairly sanction an entire class for one student's misbehavior.
Don’t punish the point guard for what the pointy-headed miscreant is yelling. Dish out the punishment to those who deserve it, not the kid calming his nerves to make a free throw.
Matt Gerszewski lives in West Fargo.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
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