Fundamentals of Interactive Journalism

Note: This serves as an update to Maya’s post on the Josh Howard mess, which I had originally intended to write about. The story has taken an interesting turn.

As Maya wrote, a YouTube video of Josh Howard, taken on what looks to be a camera phone, talking ignorantly during the National Anthem of a charity softball event leaked to the net a few days ago.

In just 11 seconds he makes a couple really dumb remarks about his choice not to recognize the playing of the Anthem and the reason why:

“The Star Spangled Banner going on right now. I don’t even celebrate that shit cuz I’m black…”

The public quickly latched on to this video, and the reaction was a negative one. People were extremely upset at his actions, at what he said, and even at the fact that the NBA would most likely not punish him in any way, leaving it up to the team to handle the situation.

Handle the situation the Mavericks have.

Mark Cuban — the infamous, outspoken, and media active — owner of the Dallas Mavericks has always been savvy when it comes to creative ways to handle his team. Cuban is a successful businessman, and he operates the franchise more in the mode of an entrepreneur than a traditional owner.

Cuban is also a blogger.

In the wake of Josh Howard’s YouTube comments, Cuban did something brilliant:

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says forward Josh Howard realizes his comments about the national anthem were wrong and the player has apologized.

In his online blog, Cuban also responded to e-mails he has received commenting on the player’s remarks by saying Howard “will work with us” and “beyond that, it’s a private issue.”

-from CNNSI.com

Cuban then posted a huge amount of nasty e-mails, with the sender’s names and e-mail addresses included,  that he had received from infuriated Mavericks fans and haters alike. I read them yesterday; they were laced with profanities and choice racial epithets. They were the kind of thing that makes you feel uncomfortable to read, things like calling Howard, and I paraphrase the gist of about five of them, an unpatriotic, dumb ni****.

The e-mails were left up on the blog for about a day, then removed.

In their place now stands this: a brilliant post from Cuban entitled “I made my point.”

As much as I felt posting my “Thanks for the Advice on Josh Howard” post was the right thing to do, I have had an upset stomach all day because of it.

I thought it was important to point out the hatred and ignorance of so many who quickly judge people they have never met, based purely on soundbites and headlines. If you think you know any public figure based on what you see on TV or read on the internet or in newspapers, you are sadly mistaken.

I wanted to point out the irony of them experiencing the onslaught of attention from suddenly and unexpectedly being placed in the media spotlight from a throwaway comment.

The post continues for a few more paragraphs, so be sure to read all of it, because Cuban makes some excellent points.

What Cuban effectively did was show the fans that it is unfair to make verbal attacks behind the veil of (perceived) anonymity that so often accompanies the internet. Cuban did not condone Howard’s comments, although he certainly does have a level of bias since he has a personal relationship with him.

However, he also did not condone sending hateful e-mails with no fear of repercussion. Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas News has an insightful take on the whole transpiring.

…That said, we all know the information superhighway is a wonderful place that has changed our lives – and our world.

But the Internet has also given way too many cowards the courage to write things they never would say to someone in person because they can do it anonymously and without worrying about confrontation.

Well, Cuban has exposed a few cowards and their views to the world

It is an interesting time, this internet age. The internet was the vehicle for leaking Josh Howard’s comments. It was the outlet for many excessive Howard bashing comments. And it was the platform for Cuban’s perspective bearing reply.

Did it solve anything? I’m not sure. But certainly, in this situation at least, it caused a little self reflection. That’s worth something.