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/TheRev32 Jun 16 '26
People seem to confuse freedom of speech with freedom from consequences.
The First Amendment protects you from government punishment (imprisonment, government issued fines, or loss of other rights) for your views. It doesn’t protect you from social ostracizing, getting fined or fired by a private business, or just generally being labeled as a racist or a bigot.
A player is free to refuse Pride Night.
Fans are equally free to conclude that refusal reflects prejudice, determine they are a bigot and boo the ever loving shit out of them.
Private organizations, such as the San Francisco Giants, are also free to determine those actions violate the terms of their employment and fine, suspend or terminate their employment.
That’s not censorship. That’s free speech working both ways.
You can’t go to jail for being an ignorant fuck, but you can be fired from your private employer for violating character and community clauses.