Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 4:31 pm  |  116 responses

Hey Myles

Allenp and Myles talk LeBron and race.

by Allen Powell

From: apowell@itsfake.com
To: maxamillion@thekingmustdie.com
Man, why do you hate LeBron so much? You’re going to give yourself an aneurysm you know that right?

From: maxamillion@thekingmustdie.com
To: apowell@itsfake.com
Whatever dude. You keep making excuses for the Kang if you like, but you and I know he’s running like a punk from The Decision and that’s the only reason he’s even discussing race. Seriously, he’s getting everything he deserves.

From: apowell@itsfake.com
To: maxamillion@thekingmustdie.com
I really disagree. You know what; we should resurrect that series you tried to get started with Ryan where we write open letters to each other on stuff. You know, kind of like what Bill Simmons and Jason Whitlock did but without the douchery. I’ll hit you with something in a minute.

From: maxamillion@thekingmustdie.com
To: apowell@itsfake.com
I’ll be waiting.

****

Hey Myles,

It’s getting a little ridiculous, don’t you think?

Yes, it sucked how he left Cleveland. It sucks that he’s never admitted that The Decision was a bad move. And it sucks that the first time he ever discusses race in any way, it appears he’s trying to duck his own culpability in a bad decision. The disgust is understandable.

After all, this is the same LeBron who didn’t see “race” in his cringe-inducing cover shoot for Vogue where he resembled aLeBron James marauding King Kong. Nor did he feel compelled to mention race when he refused to sign former teammate Ira Newble’s petition protesting abuses in Darfur. Both of those cases seemed like clear cut examples of racial issues, yet LeBron remained silent.

But, just because he’s been silent in the past doesn’t mean that when he finally speaks he can be ignored. You know?

Besides, who else saw Soledad’s “race” question as a blatant ploy to get a sound bite for her next poo-butt two-hour special? She asks a loaded question about one of the most complicated topics in the world and doesn’t even bother to follow up on it? Do you think she allows LeBron James to get away with a one-sentence answer if she is really interested in meaningful dialogue? Of course you don’t.

And what’s up with the latest salvo from basketball’s No. 1 buffoon? Everybody else may see the Round Mound of Retard as some sort of sage, but his comments resemble the ramblings of a hypocritical clown with a tenuous grasp on anything resembling intelligence.

Look, LeBron’s answer was completely true and completely asinine. Don’t even mention Maverick Carter, who decided against issuing a mea culpa, and instead took a shot at the media that’s going to write the first draft of history on LeBron’s career. Maybe Maverick should ask Isiah Thomas what fighting with sportswriters does for your legacy. It’s cool that LeBron has embraced the American tradition of nepotism, but his buddies need to know when to fall on the sword to protect the throne.

Still, it’s a bit confusing that LeBron’s comments bothered so many people. He didn’t call every Cleveland fan a racist, nor did he claim that anybody who disagreed with him switching teams was a bigot.

LeBron said that in the United States of America, a country that became and remains a superpower on the backs of minorities across the globe, race is an inescapable part of every situation. Are people really so divorced from the realities of the past and present circumstances that they cannot see the logic in that statement? Is basic psychology so foreign?

Then again, Americans do love their fantasies. More porn anyone?

It seems that many folks who disagree with LeBron haven’t thought about his thought process. The consensus is that he’s an egomaniacal coward, and The Decision is the proof. People have claimed that the classless way LeBron jilted Cleveland is driving their anger, but, honestly, who really, REALLY cares about Cleveland?

We’re talking about Cleveland. Not New York, not Philadelphia, we’re talking about Cleveland… Is LeBron staying in Cleveland going to make Cleveland a better city?

Look, LeBron gave Cleveland fans some of the best basketball of the past decade, and made Dan Gilbert a ton of money. He managed to wring success out of horribly flawed teams despite some suspect offensive coaching.

Doesn’t it seem plausible that LeBron figured the ledger was balanced? He might have expected a few hurt feelings, but it’s unlikely that he thought The Decision aftermath would be so toxic. The Cleveland Plain Dealer actually had to warn fans that racism and attacks on LeBron’s family were out of bounds. That doesn’t happen when people truly “love” you, right?

The line really is thin.

Nah, the biggest problem is that LeBron changed the paradigm, and like another athlete who once favored grandiose titles, he shook up the world. Unlike Michael Jordan, LeBron didn’t wait for his organization to draft a budding superstar, and then reap the benefits. He didn’t pitch a hissy fit and demand a trade like certain Hollywood stars of yesterday and today.

Nope, LeBron signed a shorter contract, gave his organization a timetable to improve and when it didn’t, he left for greener pastures. It was quite possibly the most impressive power play in the NBA since Oscar Robertson sued the League in order to create free agency.

And that might be where the race factor comes into play. The relationship between the NBA’s largely white fan base, the largely white media that cover the league and the black players who play the game is complicated. Certain white fans cheer black stars for their athletic feats, but resent their massive paychecks and perceived lack of gratitude.

The dominant view is that a career in professional sports is a privilege instead of a reward for sacrifice and dedication. Media members claim that athletes don’t appreciate their lives, while those same journalists bitch and moan despite having a job that allows them get paid to watch and write about sports!

People are uncomfortable with players taking more control of the League. They’ve been fed lies about who is to blame for rising ticket prices and athlete defections. Fans have been taught that greedy athletes gut teams, not stingy owners and bumbling general managers. LeBron is the unholy proof.

Miami’s trio of stars has ushered in a new day in America sports, and whenever a black face is attached to change in this country, the backlash is relentless and harsh. Americans fear certain things, and LeBron represents one of those things. It doesn’t matter what color we are, we’ve all received the same training. That’s why it’s about race.

Ya’ dig?

Allen

Allen Powell is a New Orleans-based journalist.

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  • Nicole

    Thank you, Mr. Powell. I have a PhD in Psychology and I couldn’t have said it better.

  • D-Mack

    OMG! The Nupe, I can’t believe I found someone who also didn’t see a problem with “The Decision”
    I mean, lets be real. The minute Lebron made his decision, ESPN and every media outlet wasn’t gonna talk about it? Wade and Bosh made their decision and ESPN replayed that interview for hours. I guess everyone is mad Lebron decided to organize it. Also, what’s the right way to let millions of people down? and who gets to decide what’s the right way?
    As far as not informing Cleveland, he had no obligation, morally or legally, to inform them he was leaving. The Cavs didn’t do anything for Lebron another team wouldn’t have. Also, James stopped communicating with the Cavs weeks prior so lets not act like they were blindsided when he said he wasn’t returning. If I fulfill my contract and leave, I have no obligations to let my former employer know I’m not coming back. This is a business first and foremost. No one said the Denver Broncos ownership/management was classless when Jay Cutler found out he was traded by watching ESPN. Why? Because athletes are viewed as commodities. Fans only care about whether a player benefits their team and if they don’t they’re expendable, regardless of whether the player has ties to the community. John Salley said so on his podcast.
    I do agree that Soledad should have asked some sort of follow up, but just the fact that the taboo topic of race was brought up was gonna get Lebron more criticism.

    As far as Jason Whitlock/Uncle Ruckus and Charles Barkley, it really goes to show that generation is also an issue as much as race is

  • http://hoopistani.blogspot.com hoopistani

    whatever
    SLAM needs to, for once, take off its LeBron-goggles and see the world as it is. LeBron was smart to make the decision he did but was stupid to make The Decision. And although Sir Round Mound Barkley might be “hypocritical” in what he said, he still said the truth. LeBron was stupider to affirm that it was a race thing.
    Look, let’s take an example of another player who recently won back-to-back MVP titles but is white. Imagine Steve Nash a few years ago gets dissatisfied with the Suns never quite getting over the hump despite his performances, and he decides to leave them, but he leaves them in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY LEBRON did (the flirting, The Decision)
    Are you telling me the world (and phoenix) won’t be as mad with Nash as they were with LeBron because he’s white? I’m not buying it.
    Of, but of course, Steve Nash would never do that, cuz Steve Nash is awesome. Not cuz Steve Nash is white.

  • http://aslkdfjasdf.net why

    I agree with almost everything Allenp says about race in general. I won’t go so far as to say he is wrong on this issue — at some level, it is likely that race played a role in this. But to me, LeBron claiming that race played a role in public perception of him is like an environmentalist saying baby farts play a role in global warming. Sure, technically it is probably true, but when there are a thousand more significant reasons for global warming, is it worth pointing out that baby farts play a role? No. And to me, race plays the same role as baby farts in the backlash to the Decision. I hated the Decision for several reasons — he sh*tted on his home town on national television, he took the easy way out by joining Wade instead of beating him, he generally carried himself like a pretentious, egomaniacal d0uche — and none of these had anything to do with race. I feel the exact same way about Brett Favre. Sure, there are probably some people who feel the same way for the same reasons who hate LeBron more than they would a white guy in the same situation. But is his blackness one of the primary, or even secondary, reasons for the negative backlash against him? No. I don’t think so. There are a lot of legitimate examples of unequal race-based treatment of athletes by fans and media, but to me the LeBron issue isn’t one of them.

  • The Fresh Prince of Nsam

    I didn’t want 2 talk about this anymore, but the debate seems very gentlemen-like here, so I’ll bring my modest contribution:
    1- I didn’t see anything wrong with “The Decision”. 2 me it was just a 1 hour press conference. Maybe he could’ve informed Cleveland front-office and the rest of his suitors first, but that would’ve been more just out of galantry and good-manners than anything else.
    2- About the teaming up with Wade and Bosh, that also ain’t an issue 4 me, maybe bcuz I’m from a soccer world were Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckam, Raul, etc. can team up in Real Madrid and there’s no problem. Plus 2 me, the Magic Johnson’s Lakers, Larry Bird’s Celtics and Jordan-Pippen-Rodman Bulls were also superteams.
    3- About the fact that he’ll not be “The man” in Miami, that he left Cleveland “His team” 2 join Wade’s Team. From what I’ve heard about the 2 cities, who having d choice will not want 2 leave Cleveland 4 Miami? (Jo Noah said it all during last year playoffs, who goes 2 Cleveland on holidays?) I’m pretty sure if he has been playing in Miami and Wade in Cleveland, Wade and Bosh would’ve come 2 Miami.
    4- And finally 4 bringing d race card? He just answered a question people, he’s not the 1 who brought the topic and I really thought that was the safest answer he could’ve given. But again, maybe he could’ve just said “No, not really”…
    Conclusion: 2 me the only explanation 2 all the hype caused by The Decision and its aftermath is that people now expect every pro BBall athlete 2 win exactly the way Mike did and maybe LBJ (and Nike) fault is 2 have made people believe that he will do the same and now he gives up because he realises that he can’t “be like Mike” and people hate him because of that.

  • The Fresh Prince of Nsam

    Please be indulgent 4 the language, grammar etc. faults in my 6:07 comment, English is a 3rd language that I’m working on perfecting.

  • http://www.twitter.com/hurstysyd Hursty

    Thankyou Allen.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    LZ
    I support contraction. I really do.

  • KHALID SALAAM

    ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ………..

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    ORRRRRR We can all accept Lebron for the insanely talented athlete that he is. Nobody should look to him as anything more. I’m sure he wasn’t the brightest kid in school, nor did he have to be. He’s good at basketball.

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    If Bill Russell were to discuss racism, I’d be all ears. Hell, if Ray Allen were to discuss the racism he had to deal with while attending UConn, I’d listen in a heartbeat. Penny Hardaway, discussing the subject would be worth listening to as well, having grown up in the south where race is still a very sensitive subject, and where implied segregation is, unfortunately, less of an issue than it should be. If John Amechi wants to talk about inequality, I’m for that. Lebron James, or “The King,” has been drooled over since high school. This is the first time he’s faced any sort of controversy and backlash. Maybe, to him, this is what racism looks and smells like. Mr. James is not built like Kobe so he doesn’t have that “Me Against The World/Even though you love me, I know you secretly hate me” mentality.

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    Not sure how I forgot Iverson in that last post, but A.I. came into the league and challenged American society’s prejudices by his lonesome. While that wasn’t necessarily a battle with racism, per se, it did unmask and expose the country’s perception of black culture, and more directly, black youth.

  • Jake

    Ummm,I don’t know what basketball games YA’LL have been going to,but every Heat game I’ve been at I’ve been the only white guy within 100 feet of me(not that I care).

  • max

    the truth (in this case: the decision) only hurts if you’ve been lying to yourself…

  • http://sdklff.com Jukai

    I was scrolling down amazed at the level of discussion here, then I hit Khalid’s post.
    Best Khalid post ever.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    Is it me, or is it weird that while this piece was co-headed with Myles in the mix, there’s neither hide nor hair of him in response? Well, except for his initial comment stating he didn’t really write the e-mails.

  • http://Www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Because I’m gonna post a response on my blog later.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    Good….I think a bunch of us wanted to read it. Thank you.

  • http://www.google.com/news BETCATS

    Allen, this was extremely well written and was worth reading instead of skimming. But i am not in agreement that race was the main factor in the Lebron backlash (or why that anti-Lebron sediment still exists all these months later). Then again, you arent saying it is. While race is always an underlying reason that is important to take into account, when anyone writes an article like this it runs the risk of disenfranchising all the white basketball fans that are not racist and found other reasons to be mad at Lebron. What this situation could lead to is a place where I can be mad about that but a white person cant. I think we should all have the ability to judge other people as men for their decisions (not a pun) not their skin; the problem is too many people disagree. I do think it is stupid at this point to still be ‘angry’ over that tv special or anything else and i do agree that some of this is race related. How big a part of this that race is is what i want to know. Im just not convinced that it isnt another thing where too many people are talking about an important issue using a flawed example.

  • vtrobot

    Please someone explain to me how that Vogue cover is racist? They “made LeBron look like a gorilla”? How did they do that? If Jeremy Shockey replaced LeBron in that shot, same pose, etc. would he look like “a gorilla”? Please help me out because it’s hard to keep up on what’s racist and what isn’t. Just because you think something is racist doesn’t always make it the case. @ Allenp: First, thanks for contribution to SLAM. 2nd, to answer your question: What bothered me far more than anything on the night of the decision was the fact that LBJ chose not to “take his talents” to NYC. I was dying for Knicks basketball to be relevant again. The amount of disrespect that the city of Cleveland was going to feel because of the manner in which they were receiving the news didn’t cross my mind at all. I just felt bad for NYC. The color of LeBron’s skin played no role in how I felt.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    Kha, I need some royalties for your use of my trademark.

  • fizzrocket

    People don’t think the Decision special was a bad idea? Alright, first of all, telling his team that he’s leaving them isn’t just “gallantry”, it’s the most basic form of etiquette. It’s akin to telling your girlfriend you’re leaving her after you’ve already banged another chick. People need to get out into the real world. Also, for people who never saw the Vogue cover, they had him holding Gisele Bündchen in a similar manner to the poster for the original King Kong movie.

  • JTaylor21

    Somebody is a moron, people have been calling Black people monkeys from day one so that’s why that Bron Vogue shot was seen as racist or stereotyping.

  • http://Www.fiba.com Darksaber

    Co-sign Kha!

  • vtrobot

    JTaylor21, I know there’s been a lot of education happening lately on these boards, but please continue with it and tell this “moron” how the stylists made ‘Bron look like a monkey/gorilla. ‘Cause he’s yelling? You’re right, that’s something that monkeys do, not athletes. I could understand the accusation if they had LBJ up on the top of a building swatting at planes, but to call that cover racism is a stretch.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    vtrobot, are you serious? Please read my explanations above. Do you seriously not see the connections between that and King Kong–a gorilla clutching a blonde woman with one arm and roaring? No offense, but I’m really not sure why this needs explaining at all. But that’s not the most blatant connection–the parallels to the anti-German war poster are… Just see the link.
    http://mikeresponts.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/lebronvog1.jpg?w=372&h=272

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    Vtrobot, go look at that cover, look how that chick looks like a classic ‘damsel in distress’. Look how bron has his arm around her. Tell me thats not a damn near exact copy of the king kong poster.

  • http://www.danchamb.com.br Lz – Cphfinest3

    @Allenp: I see the contradiction in what I said for sure, to better explain my stance; Yes, I am for player power per say – rather the players (the ones who bring true value to the NBA) than the owners (who are just money-hungry rich people). However I do feel that the players using their power to form superteams will hurt the league in the long run. Still I am not saying I don’t want the players to have/exercise that power. Just saying that the way they exercise it, is not necessarily good for the L. Did that clarify my rather contradicting stance? I hope so.

  • Ronald

    @Tarzan: I agree the result of that vogue poster was classless and possibly racist. But isn’t it a bit unfair to call it blatantly racist? If we examine the thought process for a reasonable objective person we can see what the artistic decision was behind the cover. You see Lebron who is 6’8, nearly freaking 300 pounds who is a supremely gifted athlete. Using the image to convey the “King King persona” probably wasn’t a knee jerk reaction to his skin tone, chances are the whole “black people are monkeys” thing went through the artistic teams thought process the whole time but they probably to his the fact that he is such a physical specimen. Of course, I do agree that they should’ve applied a bit more foresight when making the cover.

  • Ronald

    *thing DIDN’T went through…

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Ronald, just look at the link I posted. It’s unacceptable, I don’t care what their thought process was. Not just “a bit more foresight” should have been utilized…

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    i just want to point out that vogue cover thats “racist” has more complex symbolism then that, and it has nothing to do with race.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Please elaborate then, nbk. I’m getting a little tired of continuously having to repeat myself… Regardless of the intent, it’s offensive plain and simple. Just poor poor taste. Okay I think I’m done with this subject… Maybe.

  • BBaller

    the point some of us are trying to put across to certain bloggers( Eboy and Jtaylor21 in particular)is that the aggressive and arrogant posts are not required. For the past few weeks these certain bloggers are attacking anyone with an opinion, and i have noticed many contradictions and hypocracies posted by everyone, some of the selective retention is absolutley absurd. Since the ‘ decision’ Eboy has grown into sorry Eboy but a F^*kwit, ask yourself ” if Lebron and Bosh went to Denver would you still defend Lebron so blindly?’and JTaylor21, little, little boy, go back to kindagarden and learn to share in this world, it’s not everyman for himself,me,me,me that attitude is pretty sad, you would probably agree off site.
    To everyone NO ONE is an expert,we all just speculate, even you AllenP seem to have grown an extra inch with your recent promo, stay grounded dude.

  • BBaller

    When people ask me what is my favourite sport? I’m torn between Basketball and Soccer, two sports i have religiously followed for more than JTaylor21’s entire life, and when i respond with Basketball, it is becoz of the fans. How passionate and encouraging they are unlike soccer fans who are arrogant and aggressive on websites. SLAM is going that way with its current few bloggers.Sort it out SLAM

  • The Philosopher

    @Teddy-the-Bear:
    Maybe I can help elaborate;
    Illuminati…
    @Allenp:
    In your view, do gentlemen such as Benjamin Bannaker, George Washington Carver, and Garrett Morgan, black gentlemen whom have changed the world immensely, receive relentless and harsh backlash?

  • vtrobot

    @ Tarzan/Teddy: I know that you can make the accusation that the cover is racist and I’m sure there are many other movie posters and images to support your argument. I’m just saying that I hope you realize that it also looks like an athlete with his arm around a model. Again, if it’s Jeremy Shockey in that shot, would you still think it’s a nod to old King Kong imagery or might it look like a stylist trying to show the contrast between beauty and brawn? Call me naive or a moron (thank you JTaylor), but don’t call me a racist. Peace.

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    When it all comes down to it, RIGHT NOW, the only people who can fairly talk about being treated with injustice in 2010′s America are those being mistreated to do religion (especially Muslims) and sexual orientation. Look at the backlash in NYC and throughout the country over the potential Islam Community Center (it’s not a traditional Mosque), and look at how Gays are treated, and, in that order, we will find the two greatest examples of inequality of the still young 21st Century. With everything being labeled as “racist,” it makes me wonder how Lebron would have reacted if he had to go through what Bill Russell or Jackie Robinson went through. Lebron’s not built like Kobe (I said it twice, felt I had to reiterate it).

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    And LOL @ the “Jordan’s Bulls was a superteam” when they only had two reliable offensive options, ZERO capable big men, and I made a list of all of the Bulls players on those six teams a year or so ago when we had a debate about Jordan’s “Greatness” being questionable, revealing how many non-factors were on those teams. When one of the few names that stick out are Randy Brown, you know that your team wasn’t built for it. They just had Jordan and Pip, defensive-minded and hard-working Power Forward, and a few guys who could knock down shots when called upon.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    LZ
    I wrote “contraction.”
    As in I support fewer teams, which would improve competition while providing us with more super teams and a better overall brand of basketball. I didn’t mean “contradiction.” I think your points are very valid, I just don’t see super teams, as bad if they lead to fewer teams in the league as a whole.
    Get it?

  • vtrobot

    @ Boston_Blogg3r: I hope you didn’t just state that no one in 2010 America is treated unjustly because of their race. Racism in America isn’t breaking news anymore. People are using others’ fear/hatred of Muslims to get themselves elected. I don’t know if tapping into the fear/hatred of Afican-Americans will get someone quite as many votes right now.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    BBaller
    Nah, you should read my old post. Search “Allenp” in the search heading.
    I was WAY, WAY more of an expert back in the day. Lol.
    Plus, I don’t see writing for the site as a promotion. I see it as an opportunity to force people to read my opinions outside of a the comment section. LOL.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Philosopher
    In terms of the times they lived in, or in terms of today’s times?
    Because in the times they lived in, yes, they were treated harshly whenever they tried to take full advantage of the opportunities their talents should have presented.
    In today’s times not at all.
    Boston Blogger
    I don’t know what can be said to your comment about people who can “fairly” complain about injustice. The statistics are there, the anecdotes are there, the studies and books are there to prove that’s just not the case. If that information doesn’t convince you, nothing I ever say will.

  • chazz michael michaels

    allenP is a homo

  • The Philosopher

    Allen:
    So then, if relating to racism, would not they encounter the same kind of obstacles as they did in their respective times, since racism still exists?
    With their exceptional talents, and skin color, and perhaps other factors, would not that garner scrutiny from the powers that be, at least in today’s time?
    Hence, making it more of a chore to fully live up to their respective talents?
    I guess what I am trying to ask is, what is so different about today’s time that they wouldn’t have that kind of problem as opposed to their time as far as racism is concerned?
    In Banneker’s day, he was pretty well to do, and was of high stature, well, until he died, anyway.

  • Blackphantom

    Damn, Lebron refused to sign a petition for Darfur? Gosh he’s a HUGE d*ck for not doing that. It’s a freakin’ genocide happening over there. What kinda crap is that?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Philosopher
    Exceptional black people have far less trouble improving their individual lives today.
    That’s a given. Today’s racism and bigotry aren’t even comparable to what existed in the past. I mean, post reconstruction, black people across the South were systematically re-enslaved through a form of peonage that was advanced by the local governments of the time. Now, you might compare that to the current prison industrial complex, but in reality it’s a stretch when you consider the details of what occurred in the past.
    What I’m saying is that the three men you mentioned might have some difficulties in their lives, but they wouldn’t have to overcome an entire system actively working to limit their opportunities and halt their advancement. I do believe things are often more difficult for minorities today (not always, often) but I would never compare it to what happened in that past.
    I didn’t say Lebron was a victim of racism, or that racism was holding him down. I said wrote about the response he received and some of the underlying potential factors.
    I don’t mind if people disagree with what I wrote, it’s my opinion based on what I’ve seen in the world. I’m just happy that for the most part many people thought about the issue in a new way. Thinking is good for you.

  • Blackphantom

    Co-sign AllenP. That’s the 100% truth right there

  • The Philosopher

    Allen:
    If to you I insinuated that you may have been construed as stating that LeBron is a victim of racism, my apologies, for that is not what I gathered from your post.
    Now, do you believe that the system in place now is not at least similar to the system used then? For, the same entity(ies) are still in governing power, no?
    Also, there are certain instances where some of the same things that happened in History occur now, i.e., Rodney King, Abner Louima, Sean Bell, etc.
    Is it rational to believe that those gentlemen may have had potential to do some things?
    And finally, I also believe that thinking is good for you…

  • vtrobot

    I’m not saying that race isn’t a factor at all in the direction of that Vogue cover shot and in the Q ratings, but can someone please answer the questions that I’ve been asking in these posts? How exactly does LeBron look like a gorilla in that shot? Besides the obvious omission of Big Ben, what other white athletes deserve to be ranked higher than TO and Ochocinco on the most hated Q list? Here’s another one: Why would LBJ pose for such an obvious, racist image? Like most others here, just trying stimulate more thinking (and appreciate b-ball). Peace.

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