I continue to enjoy LeBron James, Kevin Durant and this current generation of athlete-activists. LeBron has done a lot in the past few years to speak out against racism and injustice, and he actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton last year. Following the Charlottesville terrorist attack, LeBron spoke out during an event for his charity, saying:
“I know there’s a lot of tragic things happening in Charlottesville. I just want to speak on it right now. I have this platform and I’m somebody that has a voice of command, and the only way for us to be able to get better as a society and us to get better as people is love. And that’s the only way we’re going to be able to conquer something at the end of the day. It’s not about the guy that’s the so-called president of the United States, or whatever the case. It’s not about a teacher that you don’t feel like cares about what’s going on with you every day. It’s not about people that you just don’t feel like want to give the best energy and effort to you. It’s about us. It’s about us looking in the mirror. Kids all the way up to the adults. It’s about all of us looking in the mirror and saying, ‘What can we do better to help change?’ And if we can all do that and give 110 percent … then that’s all you can ask for.”
“The so-called president…” I love LeBron for going out there and #NotMyPresident-ing. He also tweeted this: “Hate has always existed in America. Yes we know that but Donald Trump just made it fashionable again! Statues has nothing to do with us now!” LeBron “triggered” a lot of alt-right neo-Nazis babies and they were all yelling about him. What’s great is that other NBA players had his back. Kevin Durant has his ring now after a successful season with the Golden State Warriors, and it’s tradition for the NBA Champions to visit the White House. So far, the White House hasn’t invited the Warriors, possibly because the White House knows that few of the Warriors will show up. Durant was #NotMyPresident-ing too!
Kevin Durant says he won’t visit the White House with the Golden Star Warriors if the NBA champions are invited to meet President Donald Trump.
“Nah, I won’t do that,” Durant, the 2017 NBA Finals MVP told ESPN. “I don’t respect who’s in office right now.” Championship visits to the White House have become a regular occurrence in recent decades. But many champion athletes — including several New England Patriots players — have declared that they wouldn’t make the customary trip in protest of Trump’s administration. Durant is just the latest to voice his decision, and the NBA star said he’s sure his team will follow his lead.
“I don’t agree with what he agrees with, so my voice is going to be heard by not doing that,” Durant told ESPN of Trump. “That’s just me personally, but if I know my guys well enough, they’ll agree with me.”
Durant told the publication that Trump’s rhetoric on the events in Charlottesville has led to increased racial tension in the country.
“He’s definitely driving it. I feel ever since he’s got into office, or since he ran for the presidency, our country has been so divided, and it’s not a coincidence,” the athlete said. “So to see that and to be where we are now, it just felt like we took a turn for the worse, man. It all comes from who is in the administration. It comes from the top. Leadership trickles down to the rest of us … In my opinion, until we get him out of here, we won’t see any progress.”
It might seem like a no-brainer, or like a “water is wet, prominent African-American slams Donald Trump” kind of story. But keep in mind – generations of athletes were influenced by Michael Jordan’s “Republicans buy sneakers too” mindset of “don’t get involved in politics.” Athletes like LeBron James and Kevin Durant really are risking the wrath of fans, fewer endorsements and less money by speaking out in this kind of way. I love them though.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
Not just less money, but risking their lives. those KKK supporters of trump’s are fracking crazy. a black man, who has made it good, should be grateful he got where his is, they think I bet.
so it’s a risk, and brave of him, to speak out so blatantly.
I don’t buy sneakers. I own less than half a dozen pairs of shoes! But if they faced blowback or boycotts because of the truth I would be inclined to buy many pairs.
I read his statement yesterday and admire his clear, straightforward stance. And yes, this statement is brave. Look at what’s happened to Colin Kaepernick.
Colin did more than take a knee. He encouraged people not to vote in 2016 and was proud not to have voted at all. That is why he left a bad taste in some people who would have supported him mouths.
Colin said he wasn’t going to vote. He didn’t try to lead a movement telling everyone not vote. And voting confidentiality is still a constitutional right in the US. That is, at least until drump and Putin figure out how to identify those who voted against drump.
He didn’t vote- which is a problem- but even before that pearls were clutched and there was much outrage over how ‘disrespectful’ and ‘entitled’ his not standing for the anthem- and his reason for it- was. I was on his side with that before, but even more so now after everything that’s happened with Trump.
I own lots. Lots and lots! I’m a runner, lifting shoes, court shoes. And I toss very few. It’s somewhat sentimental. Anyway, I don’t buy because of endorsements. Most of athlete endorsed shoes are bought because of fan stuff. Not function, but with a major price tag.
I doubt any kkk members are fans. Sales won’t hurt. Might rise.
Tennis is the only professional sport I follow, but I know LeBron, Kevin and Colin for their activism and I love them for it.
It’s amazing to me that NFL players can beat women, brawl at strip clubs, get busted for coke, etc., yet a man who who takes action on behalf of injustice is the one punished. SMDH
LeBron and Kevin are American heroes and I applaud them for standing up for what is right!!!!
But they’re not risking much. It’s popular opinion and the morally correct voice. Lots of trumps base don’t follow these players. Not the sport. The act to speak up is great, but let’s not pretend their finances will take any hit. No to little risk. Great reward.
And for all the idiocy and bigotry Trump represented he’s now associated with the far worse stigma of being a neo Nazi sympathizer.
NONE of the GSW were going to the WH. Including the coach. Hence the lack of invite. Its just like trump to play like he’s not getting owned by all these boycotts. “Oh don’t worry we were getting rid of that committee anyways” to cover up the fact that he’s like by a very small (and stupid) part of the country. Ego so fragile.