I don’t Jason Collins personally but he seems like a great guy. Me personally gay men in the locked room would make me uncomfortable .

— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) April 29, 2013

@runninrebe1 thx you for your comment SIR, homosexuality is nothing to fear,I don’t think it belongs in a mans locker room

— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) April 30, 2013

@runninrebe1 I’m attracted to women,is it ok for me to walk around a women’s locker room naked, and they be naked.

— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) April 30, 2013

I don’t judge anyone!! I have fallen shortof the grace of Allah myself, but stop trying to make this acceptable.

— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) April 30, 2013

And here’s Larry Johnson circa his days as a Converse endorser. AKA Gradmama.

#DoesntAddUp

To be clear, expecting a monarchy to advocate and leverage black progress is flawed and dangerous thinking. But, if this is the philosophy filtered down from tribal, spiritual, and political cultures of black Americans throughout the ages, can we do better than the First Lady? Her perceived candor and her ‘realness,’ makes black folks excited and down for whatever cause which graces her platform.

Her advocacy hasn’t come in the packaged ‘I Have a Dream’ format, but at every turn, she has been accessible, compassionate and energetic about issues impacting black folks, and meeting black people where they are. Obesity and education, among her key points of advocacy, have been black American bugaboos for generations. Her outreach on these issues isn’t limited to areas of affluence or camera-friendly confines, but in areas that genuinely need a shot of hope.

Cynicism always deserves a fair chance to be heard, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that her outreach is the hall pass through Black America which the president couldn’t use without political and racial animus from the conservative right. Maybe it’s all political posturing, a way for the White House and the president to show allegiance to a core base of supporters without the appearance of actually doing so.

Or maybe it’s because she, Valerie Jarrett, and other members at the heart of the Obama outreach machine are now considering the legacy of the Obama presidency – the infinite possibilities of positive gains for black Americans this administration can create for generations to come. Not that black Americans are incapable of doing it ourselves, but like the LGBT and Hispanic movements for equity and respect, a word from the top of the world goes a long way.

We expected more from our first black president, but if we get more from the first black first lady, should that be a worthy substitute?

ESPN analyst Chris Broussard was not among the supporters. A staunch and open Christian, Broussard expressed his views on homosexuality and Christianity on ESPN’s ‘Outside the Lines.’

On the surface, the sentiment against Broussard may be a question of why is he blasting Collins for being open with who he is, and who thousands of other athletes are without having formally announced such. But with all things being considered, why is it okay for Collins to openly discuss his sexuality, but not okay for Broussard to discuss his religious philosophy on the subject?

If we are just talking on the merits of the freedom and the accessibility to give an opinion, both are entitled and empowered to do so. Christian views are more accepted to share in American than are opinions supporting homosexuality, despite a strong surge in pride and support for the LGBT community over the last 20 years.

Both Collins and Broussard will have supporters and opponents, and both are publicly discussing very personal and intimate details that guide or comprise the core of their lives. There is no right or wrong to their reason, or genuine beliefs in this case.

So should people be jumping on Broussard because he did exactly what Collins’ has been encouraged and supported in doing?

Fortunately for her and all black journalists, she handled the ignorance with professional grace and humor.