Last month, Cari Champion sat down with LeBron James and Kevin Durant to talk about their success straight out of high school, and the negativity that comes along with it. From the criticisms to the blatant racism, the ballers explained how they navigate through rallies of hate.
In the interview, which was released on Thursday, the athletes also touched on the current political climate and the ignorance of Donald Trump, with James pointing out the fact that the President of the United States doesn’t “give a f*c* about the people.” However, as the three continued, they also discussed social injustices, and what little affect their celebrity status has on racism.
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Even with all the money in the world, the greatest basketball players in the world are reduced to racist slurs, as “They will always try to figure out a way to let you know you’re still beneath them,” James said.
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And he was right because just hours after the interview surfaced, Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham used her racist white power to reduce James to nothing more than the White Man’s entertainment.
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“Must they run their mouths like that?” Ingraham asked during the Thursday night taping of her show. “Unfortunately, a lot of kids and some adults take these ignorant comments seriously.”
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“Look, there might be a cautionary lesson in LeBron for kids,” she said. “This is what happens when you attempt to leave high school a year early to join the NBA. And it’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball.”
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But, much like her president, Ingraham’s statement was incorrect. James did not attempt to leave high school a year early, the multi-millionaire baller graduated high school and then went pro after being drafted first, which is more than Trump has ever accomplished, and that was just at the age of 19.
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“You’re great players, but no one voted for you. Millions elected Trump to be there coach,” Ingraham said, which is also debatable seeing as how there is a special council committee currently investigating a rigged election. “So keep the political commentary to yourself, or, as someone once said, ‘shut up and dribble.’”
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To be clear, James made a name for himself. He worked his butt off to become something from nothing. He owns businesses, creates jobs and has never done anything negative to tarnish his brand or disrespect his family. The man is a role model, and frankly, one of the best that our future has to look up to.
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