LeBron James, America’s Most Popular Athlete, Is Increasingly Using His Powerful Position To Speak Out Against Racial Inequality

TOPLINE

Unafraid to make controversial comments in the past, LeBron James has become even more vocal in his support of the Black Lives Matter movement since the death of George Floyd, which has sparked 10 consecutive days of protests, demonstrations and riots that have captivated the country.

KEY FACTS

Key Background:

In 2018, after James had criticized President Donald Trump in an ESPN interview, Ingraham chastised James. “It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball,” Ingraham said on her show two years ago. “Keep the political comments to yourselves. …Shut up and dribble.” However, two days ago, with fellow athletes knocking Drew Brees for his comments, Ingraham staunchly defended Brees’ right to speak out and take a controversial stance. “Well, he’s allowed to have his view about what kneeling and the flag means to him,” she told her viewers. “I mean, he’s a person. He has some worth, I would imagine.” Highlighting the hypocrisy and inconsistency in those two statements, James tweeted, “If you still haven’t figured out why the protesting is going on. Why we’re acting as we are is because we are simply F-N tired of this treatment right here! Can we break it down for you any simpler than this right here????” 

Big Number:

$41.8 million: In 2015, James partnered with the University of Akron to provide a guaranteed four-year scholarship to the school for students in James’ I Promise program who qualify, which is expected to cost approximately $41.8 million. The I Promise School is an elementary school in LeBron’s hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Tangent:

Earlier this week, James and his business partner, Maverick Carter, announced a new project they are working on. Writer Salima Koroma is developing a documentary for James’ SpringHill Entertainment Company about the Tulsa Race Riot. Also known as the “Black Wall Street Massacre,” the carnage occurred in 1921 when mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has been characterized as the single worst episode of racial violence in American history. The announcement of the documentary came on the 99th anniversary of the tragedy, and one day after Tulsans protested against racial injustice in the memory of Geroge Floyd in the Greenwood District.

Critical Quote: 

“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do,” President Donald Trump, in August of 2018.

Further Reading:

More NBA Players—Including Michael Jordan And Lebron James—Speak Out Loudly Against Police Brutality (Forbes) 

LeBron James, Akron to fund 4-year scholarships for I Promise students (ESPN)

Drew Brees Says He ‘Will Never Agree With’ NFL Players Kneeling During National Anthem (Forbes) 

LeBron James rips Fox News’ Laura Ingraham for her Drew Brees hypocrisy (Mercury News)