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Undignified posture

NBA forced Abdul-Rauf to make unfair choice

Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave in the National Basketball Association? Not only does it wave, but NBA administrators are wrapping it around players' throats.

Last week, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson) of the Denver Nuggets found himself suspended indefinitely without pay -- particularly severe sanctions, considering he earns about $30,000 per game. And what was his offense? Refusing to stand for the national anthem in pre-game ceremonies.

Abdul-Rauf proclaims himself a devout Muslim, and asserts that his personal religious creed prevents him from recognizing the American flag and the national anthem as symbols of freedom. Abdul-Rauf said the anthem represents tyranny and the type of "nationalistic ritualism" that his religion forbids. Therefore, Abdul-Rauf exercised his constitutional religious freedom by sitting down or staying a few extra minutes in the locker room during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." NBA officials responded last Tuesday by suspending the Nuggets' leading scorer. A few days later, Abdul-Rauf conceded to stand for the anthem -- with the stipulation that he would recite a personal prayer instead of observing the flag.

The NBA violated Abdul-Rauf's freedom of religion and speech with its harsh move. Some argue that the sanction is appropriate because the NBA is a private organization, but this argument is unfounded. Regardless of the NBA's status as a private organization, it is still subject to constitutional laws like every other American business.

Moreover, the league's written rule requiring players and coaches to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" prevents players and coaches from acting on their personal or religious creeds. The NBA's rule must be changed to allow for the diversity that makes the league great. No other organization in the world offers the opportunity for basketball competition of such caliber. The NBA's enforcement of cultural elitism is abysmal and woefully outdated compared to standards upheld by other professional sports organizations, such as Major League Baseball. National professional sports leagues must recognize that they draw players from all over the world -- and not all players hold standard ideologies. Diversity among players must be respected.

Although the controversy surrounding Abdul-Rauf's suspension has faded with the compromise, the NBA's rule requiring players to rise for the anthem still stands. In effect, the NBA did very little compromising -- it has maintained the appearance of victory while Abdul-Rauf has lost some freedom. Abdul-Rauf's concession was one he never should have had to make.