Kobe Bryant Was Not Impressed by the Miami Heat’s Trayvon Martin Protest

[Danny Up]

What did Kobe say that was wrong? We don't know what happened. We know Trayvon got killed, that's it. That whole it was racism , he was a good kid. Is all unproven.

 

[Newzz]

http://thinkprogress.org/security/2007/05/24/13220/lebron-james-darfur/#

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ira Newble recently wrote an open letter criticizing China’s role in the Darfur genocide, urging fellow basketball players to pressure China to change its policy ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics. “China cannot be a legitimate host to the premier international event in the sporting world – the Summer Olympic Games – while it remains complicit in the terrible suffering and destruction that continues to this day,” the letter stated.

While most of Newble’s teammates signed the letter, only two did not: Damon Jones andLeBron James. James, one of the NBA’s most recognizable faces, is a perennial all-star and was named a tri-captain of the 2006 USA World Championship Team. In an op-ed in today’s Christian Science Monitor, NYU history professor Jonathan Zimmerman explains the dynamics behind Jones and James’s decision:

James said he didn’t have enough information about the issue to take a stand. Mr. Jones wouldn’t comment. We can choose to take them at their word, of course — or we can follow the money. Jones has an endorsement contract with an up-and-coming Chinese shoe and apparel company. James has a $90 million deal with Nike, which has huge business interests in China. [...]

Ironically, LeBron James has not decided whether he will compete in Beijing. But in the real battle, over Darfur, James has elected to stay on the sidelines. That’s his right, of course. And the rest of us have the right to call his behavior what it is.

China is Sudan’s largest trading partner. Brookings scholar Roberta Cohen wrote, “Were China to use even a small part of its leverage to call Sudan to account, it would go a long way toward saving lives in Sudan.”

In July 2005, the Center for American Progress Action Fund teamed up with the Genocide Intervention Fund to call citizens to “be a witness” of the genocide and ask major television networks to report on the massacre. James now appears in Nike advertisements calling others to be a witness… of his basketball stardom.



NOT defending what Kobe said tho, but these NBA players are not who we should be looking to for social issues.

LeBron dont care about the Chinese people.



He leaves that to Yao Ming and Kobe

 

[CantStop]

That's his opinion where are the facts tho?

 

[TheNig]

Now we can see who are the white members of LWO . Joking aside, this is indefensible......Kobe (who recently jumped on the social media bandwagon himself) was not trying to make a stand against faux protesters and militants. He is actually insulting those that did take action in a situation that he obviously knows nothing about.

What action did they take?

 

[yoyoyo1]

international blacks are smarter and more successful than American blacks, even in the USA, so it's not a surprise Kobe would have an enlightened and more rational (better) opinion.

 

[Broke Wave]

Lebron and Wade are also worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and yet they were able to support the Trayvon Martin cause and the collective consciousness of black america, while Kobe chose to occupy a different space on the issue. You're twisting yourself in a pretzel trying to create your own reality here.

Oh really? And how did they "support the trayvon martin cause"? Did they commit any monetary support to the family? Did they help the family get a civil suit? Did they do anything except wear a stupid fukking hoodie? I guess that's all it takes to placate you negros, a few instagram pics and viola I'm supporting the issue

 

[Newzz]

international blacks are smarter and more successful than American blacks, even in the USA, so it's not a surprise Kobe would have an enlightened and more rational (better) opinion.

 

[NormanConnors]

time for Nasir to hit the lab again and drop that sequel

 

[superunknown23]

Now his stans are trying to change the subject

 

[KingJudah]

He's right. But not in this case.

 

[madness]

nikka, how you gone play Carlton like that. When Will got shot, Carlton was ready to busy his gun.

kobe wouldve patiently waited for the cops to arrive and let them assess the situation

meanwhile will's lying on the ground

 

[Type Username Here]

Oh really? And how did they "support the trayvon martin cause"? Did they commit any monetary support to the family? Did they help the family get a civil suit? Did they do anything except wear a stupid fukking hoodie? I guess that's all it takes to placate you negros, a few instagram pics and viola I'm supporting the issue :mjlaugh:

Symbolism and support for social causes go a long way sometimes.

 

[Malta]

http://thinkprogress.org/security/2007/05/24/13220/lebron-james-darfur/#

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ira Newble recently wrote an open letter criticizing China’s role in the Darfur genocide, urging fellow basketball players to pressure China to change its policy ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics. “China cannot be a legitimate host to the premier international event in the sporting world – the Summer Olympic Games – while it remains complicit in the terrible suffering and destruction that continues to this day,” the letter stated.

While most of Newble’s teammates signed the letter, only two did not: Damon Jones andLeBron James. James, one of the NBA’s most recognizable faces, is a perennial all-star and was named a tri-captain of the 2006 USA World Championship Team. In an op-ed in today’s Christian Science Monitor, NYU history professor Jonathan Zimmerman explains the dynamics behind Jones and James’s decision:

James said he didn’t have enough information about the issue to take a stand. Mr. Jones wouldn’t comment. We can choose to take them at their word, of course — or we can follow the money. Jones has an endorsement contract with an up-and-coming Chinese shoe and apparel company. James has a $90 million deal with Nike, which has huge business interests in China. [...]

Ironically, LeBron James has not decided whether he will compete in Beijing. But in the real battle, over Darfur, James has elected to stay on the sidelines. That’s his right, of course. And the rest of us have the right to call his behavior what it is.

China is Sudan’s largest trading partner. Brookings scholar Roberta Cohen wrote, “Were China to use even a small part of its leverage to call Sudan to account, it would go a long way toward saving lives in Sudan.”

In July 2005, the Center for American Progress Action Fund teamed up with the Genocide Intervention Fund to call citizens to “be a witness” of the genocide and ask major television networks to report on the massacre. James now appears in Nike advertisements calling others to be a witness… of his basketball stardom.



NOT defending what Kobe said tho, but these NBA players are not who we should be looking to for social issues.

LeBron speaking out on Darfur
Initially, LeBron James was criticized for not signing a teammate's letter in response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Now, James is speaking out on the issue and says he will continue to do so as the Olympics draw closer, writes Shelley Smith.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3398947


Compare a 23 year old to a soon to be 36 year old

 

[Born2BKing]

Now we can see who are the white members of LWO . Joking aside, this is indefensible......Kobe (who recently jumped on the social media bandwagon himself) was not trying to make a stand against faux protesters and militants. He is actually insulting those that did take action in a situation that he obviously knows nothing about.

I think it was because people prolly was saying asking him why he hadn't done nothing but Bron and Wade and many others did. He is just trying to justify why he didn't do nothing but came off super bad. He may regret this one for a minute. The black community have strong feelings towards Trayvon. At least he still has a ton of asian and white fans.

 

[Poitier]

Symbolism and support for social causes go a long way sometimes.

Compare the Olympics to Instagram brehs

LeBron speaking out on Darfur
Initially, LeBron James was criticized for not signing a teammate's letter in response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Now, James is speaking out on the issue and says he will continue to do so as the Olympics draw closer, writes Shelley Smith.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3398947


Compare a 22 year old to a soon to be 36 year old

Anyone who has to be forced to speak out was never sincere. If it's about age, what is Lebron speaking out against now?