For decades athletes have spoken on issues in their community. This has
been a growing thing because most people look up to these athletes and respect
their opinions. Athletes opinions can start trends, shift cultures, and start serious
conversation. Recently there has been talk about Donald Trump’s reign in office
by athletes. About how this country at this pivotal point in history were
racism, police brutality, and school shootings have increased. Lebron James and
Kevin Durant were asked to speak on this matter. Lebron’s comments were “The
No. 1 job in America, the point of person, is someone who doesn’t understand
the people, and really don’t give a f**k about the people.” […]
“And this time now with the President of the United States,
it’s at a bad time. And while we cannot change what comes out of that man’s
mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us, as
this is not the way.” (Slam). Kevin Durant follows by saying, “When we talking
about leadership and what’s going on in our country. It’s all about leadership.
And I learned that playing basketball. I learned a lot of life skills from
playing basketball.
“You need to empower people. You need to encourage people.
And that’s what builds a great team. And I feel like our team, as a country, is
not ran by a great coach.” (Slam). These are arguably the 2 best basketball players
in the world speaking on Donald Trump’s presidency that received a lot of attention
for that. One particularly from Fox News reporter Laura Ingraham where she said,
“Look, there might be a cautionary lesson in LeBron for kids: 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 a
hundred million dollars a year to bounce a ball. Oh, and LeBron and Kevin:
You’re great players but no one voted for you. Millions elected Trump to be
their coach. So keep the political commentary to yourself or, as someone once
said, shut up and dribble.”(SBNation). Her discredit of Lebron and Kevin Durant
sparked a massive conversation. Was she in the wrong? Should the players be
able to speak on this without being bashed for it? Why is she angry that she
said this about trump? The players have a voice. Everything they says matter
and people want to know these things. People want to get to know who they and
their kids are looking up to. So, for the sake of the fans I believe their
voice matters. To direct a crowd in the way of justice and equality. What do you think?
I've read about this story a little bit before, and I think that Laura Ingraham was totally wrong for this. At this point I want to use a term commonly used by racists when they don't have any viable arguments, "everyone is entitled to their own opinions." I think that aside from having donated literally millions of dollars to multiple foundations and individuals, James and Durant are people whose lives are affected by Trump's decisions. If someone is influenced by someone else's actions as heavily as people who simply live in the U.S. are influenced by Trump's actions, they are definitely "entitled to their own opinions." In addition, sports players have enormous platforms to do more than just "shut up and dribble." I definitely think that her hostility has something to do with her intolerance for the vast number of black men and women who (surprise Laura) do happen to have valuable opinions, most of which are much more educated opinions than hers.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that their voices matter! Everyone should be allowed to speak their mind (freedom of speech), so I really don't know what the news reporter was thinking....and they should not be bashed about what they are saying. If someone disagrees with them they can, but they shouldn't bash them at all.
ReplyDeleteI also think you make a good point when you say that the people want to hear what Lebron or Durant were saying because people look up to them. Celebrities do have a huge influence on people so to have their voices heard is important.
Also, whoever said that a leader needs to empower or encourage people is so right; personally, the best coach I've ever had was the most encouraging one.