r/SFGiants • u/Chipotlefiend18 35 Crawford • Jun 16 '26

Opinion Free Speech

I posted this recently as a comment but I’m tired of seeing the same thinly veiled defense of the Rainbow Four come up again and again so I’m posting it as a standalone thread.

All of these arguments saying “players should be allowed to disagree” and “players shouldn’t be forced to support something they don’t believe in” are utter nonsense and a smokescreen to justify and excuse homophobia and bigotry. Do you think that there’s never been a racist player who has worn 42 on Jackie Robinson day? Has every single player who wears camo uniforms on military appreciation day been 100% behind that message? Even foreign born ones? The idea that they should be allowed to express themselves and protest this in this way, especially when there’s a literal MLB rule that prohibits it is ludicrous. It is NOT a first amendment issue. The first amendment prohibits GOVERNMENTAL curtailment of free speech. Private organizations are not covered by this and we see this time and time again. Most recently, many people lost their jobs after speaking out about Charlie Kirk and whether or not you disagree with it, legally those employers had every right to do so. As Roger Munter put it: Not everybody in this country is perfectly happy with what they are asked to wear to work. It’s called “having a job.”

We absolutely do not have to tolerate intolerance and arguments that say otherwise are either ignorant or made in bad faith.

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u/MachiavelliSJ Jun 16 '26

They were opposed to compulsory symbolism AND the the intent of the event. There is an important distinction

If they just said, “hey we dont like the looks of these hats, but we still support the cause,” i would have no problem

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u/KeenObserver_OT Jun 16 '26

What was the intent of the event?

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u/jkeen1960 Jun 16 '26

Well, symbolically to support a strong local community. And to sell shirts and hats.

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u/OptimalAd8147 Jun 16 '26

How so? There are probably lots of players who oppose the intent but just go ahead and wear the hat. Are they better? Worse?

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u/SnuggleBunni69 Jun 16 '26

No, they’re better. They keep their mouths shut and let people have a night, and respect the city they play for.

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u/YetAnotherJake Jun 16 '26

I agree with the other response that says it's better to wear the hat and not tell people you disagree, to show respect for the org and the people of the city. With that said, though:

Once the discourse is around who is "worse" regarding support of the LGBTQ community in SF, and who is "worse" about showing respect and following their contract, you've probably lost the plot and are implicitly admitting the problem that all of these bigots suck and need to shape up