African-American sportswriter Jason Whitlock called LeBron James a bigot after the 4-time MVP spoke about the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
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Jason Whitlock, a former Fox Sports writer who currently runs a website called Outkick the Coverage, took the unorthodox step of calling out the most celebrated player in basketball today for his stance on the Jacob Blake shooting.
LeBron James spoke about the incident, which happened 3 days ago in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the Lakers’ blowout 135-115 win over the Blazers in Game 4 of their first round series. In the post-game interview, James said he and his teammates are ‘scared as black people’.
Jason Whitlock calls out LeBron’s ‘bigotry’
As Fox Sports affiliates are wont to, Jason Whitlock has a knack for the dramatic. But in this case, his words seem to throw light on the issue from a different and a genuine angle.
“I’m black. I’m not scared. I’m not terrified. Neither is LeBron James. He’s lying. He and the political activists controlling him want black people to immerse themselves in fear. Fear is a tool used to control people. If you comply with police instructions, there is virtually no chance of an American citizen being harmed by police.”
Also Read: “We are scared as Black people”- LeBron James gives hard-hitting interview on Jacob Blake shooting
There are many facets to the Jacob Blake case beyond the obvious. The 29-year-old father of five kids has been booked in the past as a s*x offender. In alternate footage of the incident that has emerged, it was shown that police officers attempted to tase him before shooting. It is worth noting that the reflex of any police officer would be safety first if a civilian does not comply with their instructions.
“LeBron James has more than 40 million followers on Twitter. Doesn’t he have a moral responsibility to be informed and measured before commenting on a controversy that could inspire civil unrest? What’s the harm in waiting 48 hours, 72 hours or a week?”
“As a black man that sort of racist tactic should be terrifying. That racist tactic was used to deny us freedom in this country. No one who professes to care about the welfare of black people would adopt the tactics of white bigots.”
“Bigots, regardless of color, have a common trait. Ignorance. Ignorance fuels their ego. Information is their enemy. They avoid it at all costs. Negative anecdotes frame their worldview.” Whitlock said.
While LeBron certainly should have done a bit more research, the fact remains that Whitlock is clearly grasping at straws here. To equate James’s stance with bigotry is a huge stretch. For James to come out and stand against needless police brutality shows moral fiber more than anything.
There’s certainly a middle ground between being a bigot and being misinformed, and Whitlock is conveniently forgetting this in his haste to find fault with James.
