Last week, the Oklahoma City Thunder found themselves in hot water after denying internationally-adored rapper/Mountain Dew drinker Lil Wayne a front-row seat for the team’s playoff game.

According to reports, Wayne called the Thunder management two weeks before the game, politely requested a seat, and even promised to donate money to a local soup kitchen should the Thunder win the game.

The Thunder responded in dramatic fashion, berating Lil Wayne with one racist epithet after another.

Just when Weezy thought the Thunder were done, they took to Twitter, mocking Lil Wayne’s music and poking fun at his braids.

Wait, I might have that story backwards.

In fact, it was Lil Wayne who was completely in the wrong.

According to representatives for the Thunder, Lil Wayne demanded that the team provide him with courtside seats, despite the fact that the stadium had been sold out for every game of the playoffs thus far.

However, the basic logic of the situation seems to be lost on Weezy, who has taken to the airwaves, denouncing Oklahoma City for their racism.

“It’s the players stepping up but of course the players aren’t white. I don’t want to be sitting there on behalf of you and I’m sitting next to a (person) that’s like ‘I don’t want this (guy) sitting next to me.’ (Forget) you … I’m in Forbes,” said Wayne.

Conversely, team spokesman Dan Mahoney gave an equally controversial summary of the scandal: “We just didn’t have the seats available. It’s that simple.”

Unfortunately, most media love this type of sensationalism, and it was only a matter of time before the story was dissected and analyzed by what seemed like every member of ESPN’s staff.

Sadly, these “controversies” are reflective of America’s obsession with stars, and while Wayne may have just wanted attention with his comments, the media reaction is telling of our national culture.

We need to stop rewarding feigned controversy with attention, and realize that having a record deal does not make someone a god (or even a demigod). In fact, if we idolize these stars so much, we should scrutinize them even more intensely. After all, it is their lyrics and ideas that dominate our airwaves.

Granted, I shouldn’t have held my breath with Wayne, or even expected that he understand the situation in Oklahoma. The fact is that these megastars rarely hear the word “no,” and most can’t handle the thought that they aren’t actually the most important person in the world.

However, the arrogance and egotism of today’s stars should not force us to cave to their demands. Instead of rewarding them with publicity and attention for acting like toddlers, we should readily tell them “no.” It’s actually pretty simple:

Friend: “Hey John, do you want to borrow my Lil Wayne CD?”

Me: “No.”

John Downen is a junior journalism major.

He can be reached at 581-7942

or at [email protected]