LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma were among the first NBA players to react to the Atlanta shootings at an aromatherapy spa.
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According to reports from the Guardian, 8 people have died in three separate shootings on Tuesday night. This happened at massage parlor venues in and around Atlanta, Georgia.
Two of the venues were in the city of Atlanta. The third was near Acworth, in Cherokee country, about 30 miles (50km) north-west of the city. At around 5pm, five people were shot at Young’s Asian Massage Parlor near Acworth, police said.
2 victims died at the scene of their shootings, while two others passed away in hospital. Seven victims were women and six were Asian – damning evidence to profile these incidents as racially motivated crimes.
LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma react to the Atlanta shootings
Kyle Kuzma seemed to be deeply affected by the incident, judging from the content of his tweet after a win for the Lakers. This is the message that he put across to all of his followers:
“Racism isn’t just one race. Sad we’ve got to continue to see hatred among us all.”
LeBron James also spoke about this on his on Twitter handle: “My condolences goes out to the families of all the victims and the entire Asian community tonight on what transpired in Atlanta at the Aromatherapy Spa. Coward a** young man!! Just senseless and tragic!!”
NBA players have been quick on the uptake while speaking up about racism for quite a while now. The league prides itself on its inclusive approach and in empowering its black athletes. The fact that they stand in solidarity with other communities that suffer discrimination is great for the league.
