Ah, the Irony

Josh Howard got himself in a little bit of trouble on YouTube. While attending a sporting event, and during the National Anthem, he was caught on tape saying: "The Star-Spangled Banner is going on. I don't celebrate this sh!t. I'm black."

Now a lot of people are jumping all over Howard for this comment. And I certainly don't agree with his sentiment. BUT, he has every right to say it. The irony, however, is that Howard is knocking America, a place that gives him the right to say what he said. In America, Howard can say that and endure nothing more than the ridicule of other citizens. In some other countries, such a video would mean a fine, imprisonment, or worse. I mean, seriously, what do you think would happen to Yao Ming if he were caught saying something like that during the Chinese National Anthem?

I have no problem with people speaking their minds. And I don't even have a problem with it when it's anti-American. I just hope they realize that the very place they are disparaging affords them the right to do so.