Thought I'd let some smoke clear before weighing in on the statewide controversy over six Lady Razorback basketball players on the team who locked arms and knelt as our nation's national anthem was played at a recent exhibition game.
I'm glad I did. As of Thursday, two team members announced that such behavior wisely will be replaced with a community effort called "Project Unify" where players and citizens will gather to discuss pressing societal issues of the day. I'd say that fine idea is like turning a sow's cauliflower ear into a silken Razorback purse.
As for the original incident more than a week ago, yes, these six players had every right constitutionally to put on such a display, even while in Razorback uniform and on Razorback business.
I and many across our state nonetheless had a problem with the ladies using their standing as uniformed scholarship players in a Razorback-sponsored venue to act out on behalf of their personal cause.
This flap was never a legitimate constitutional issue in my mind. Rather, it's a question of good judgment, common sense and regard for the public institution which provides these talented ladies with a high-visibility platform to make themselves and our state proud.
As a result of their demonstration, three legislators threatened the University of Arkansas' budget, particularly since the administration and athletic department also had expressed support for this radical behavior under the Razorback banner.
Meanwhile, I salute Coach Mike Anderson's men's Razorback basketball team for choosing to stand tall with hands over their hearts in honor of our compassionate and free nation through regard for its anthem. Thousands of fans and citizens salute your gestures of affection and respect during that exhibition game.
And today, I'll add kudos to the Lady Razorbacks for their decision to exchange a perceived negative for an inclusive positive that hopefully will have a beneficial effect.
The Lady Razorbacks (and all of us) indeed have a constitutional right to express pretty much anything legal short of screaming fire in a crowded theater. But the adults who teach and mentor them also surely made them aware of why they are free and that our actions invariably have consequences. If not, they have by now.
Coach Jimmy Dykes all along said he not only supported his players but was actually proud they acted on their beliefs. Athletic Director Jeff Long even felt it was a good move for Dykes to publicly support the protest. Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz agreed with both men.
The chancellor and others say they heard from lots of incensed supporters and fans in the aftermath of the kneeling incident. I'll just bet they did.
Hopefully, now that this tempest on a court stands resolved, the ladies' understandable yet obviously poor choice hasn't damaged their reputations or that of their team, our flagship university and the state.
In retrospect, I saw it as relevant that their silent protest in an arena wasn't conducted as spectators up in the bleachers, or with placards in the streets. It came due to the elevated public standing afforded them by the university's women's basketball program.
To me, that means there are certain expectations of appropriate behavior and good taste indicative of the publicly supported programs that bears the state's name. I feel certain they realize and understand that now.
Taking a knee to the foremost musical tribute to our nation and its Constitution (along with all the Americans of every color and faith who served and died defending our liberties) can't help but be perceived as an insult and affront. It matters not whether the slight was intended as such.
While the unfortunate incident thankfully is behind us now, I still feel the need to expound on this sad new national fad further.
Higher expectations for the behavior of public sports teams is nothing new. Every athletic team I participated in since since junior high school had specific expectations to follow. We each were told in no uncertain terms to wear a tie when when traveling to football games. I went along as part of the team despite my constitutional right to ditch the tie.
Should white players on athletic teams drop to their knees at anthem time to protest the many thousands of white criminal suspects who wind up being shot by police? Where do we draw the line of inappropriate behavior while wearing a school's official uniform?
Believe me, friends, after the career I've had, I understand just causes. I can lament better than most journalists I know on just how harsh and unfair the criminal justice system can be against black and white citizens alike, especially those from poorer economic circumstances.
But I'd also never use the elevated standing afforded me by a tax-supported state university to flaunt my opinions publicly while part of a team in uniform.
Congratulations again to the Lady Razorbacks for finding such a positive and equitable solution to their concerns. Now use the courts to have a wonderful, winning season.
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Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at mmasterson@arkansasonline.com.
Editorial on 11/12/2016