LeBron James isn’t afraid to talk about social issues, even moments after a blowout win. James was asked about Adam Jones and racism in Boston after Wednesday night’s blowout Game 2 win against the Toronto Raptors.
James spoke uninterrupted for more than two minutes when answering the question, addressing his own experiences playing in Boston, how he addresses race with his kids, and the support Jones has gotten from others in recent days.
The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar admitted he was “not caught up on the whole story” because of his social media ban during the postseason, but knew what happened and was encouraged fellow athletes — including those on the Red Sox — who stood up for Jones.
I’ve heard a couple athletes say ‘you expect that when you go to Boston.’ For me, I’ve been to Boston, I’ve played in Boston a lot. I just try to have tunnel vision when I play. I can’t recall me ever hear anything that was racism towards me. But I think it was great that other guys spoke up for him, not even on his own team, I think the guys from the Red Sox spoke up for Adam Jones.
James said racism is a serious issue, one that impacts the way he raises his children and how he views himself as a role model to others.
It’s a delicate situation. Racism, as we know, exists. you try not to put yourself in a position to—me as a father. I just try to give my kids the blueprint on how life is gonna be. But at the end of the day, I can only tell them so much. Then they have to go out and live it themselves. For me, just try to be respectful to others. And I feel like if you do that, consistently, then I believe that karma will come back to you.
James joins a growing list of NBA figures to comment publicly on race in light of the incident at Fenway Park on Monday. Draymond Green admitted he’s heard racist taunts, while Charles Barkley says he’d have none of it if he herd racism nearby. Barkley noted he’s glad people are engaging in a conversation about race, something LeBron himself echoed.
“Racism is going to be a part of time forever, I believe,” James said. “But I think for us, the people that have opportunities to be a voice, and the people that have an opportunity to have some play on the youth that’s coming up, we have to lead them the best way we can. And we have to live with the results.”
(Via Clevescene.com)
