The Acronym That Saves Time...In Shaping A National Conversation
In staring off for the 1st blog entry of entry of 2016, I felt the need to reach back two years to 2014. More specifically, November 22, 2014 when 12 year old Tamir Rice was gunned down in Cleveland by a police officer after the officer suspected that Rice had a firearm on him; it was later revealed to be a replica of a firearm. The grand jury decided not to indict in the case against the officers. Fast forward two years later, Tamir’s mother, Samaria Rice, is quote “sad” that Cleveland Cavalier superstar LeBron James failed to speak out about the shooting. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith sided with James, saying the criticism is unfair. Where I stand on this is very simple: I understand why Ms. Rice feels the way she do. Her son’s life was taken away abruptly in the hands of the police. More importantly, the sadness by her when it comes James & his lack of speaking out has validity. He’s from Akron, a native Ohioan, a basketball superstar. I mean I get it. However, the real reason I sense is that he’s all of the above...and African-American. When Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland died, whose voice was louder? African-Americans. To zero in more, African-American leaders, actors/actresses/directors, and athletes. After Trayvon Martin was killed, players for the Miami Heat worn hoodies as a tribute for that Martin was donning a hoodie at the time of his death. I had no issue with it (maybe except for Kobe) like a vast majority did. Where I take up the issue is how the power of athletes really possess, whether they realize it or not. LeBron wore an “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt after the death of Garner in New York. This is where Samaria Rice’s point should be one of anger, not sadness. He advocated for Garner but not for her son, whose from Cleveland just like him. In essence, Tamir Rice was him. When it comes to the criticism, I’m on LeBron’s side for an entirely (and bigger) reason. That reason lies with us, people who expect the famous, super-rich people of own world, to have a voice on matters of the world. Is it fair? No; Do all of us still want it? Yes. Many of you may not remember when Michael Jordan said that “Republicans buys sneakers too?” in response to congressional race involving a racist politician in Chicago. He was criticized by many for his stance but people kept buying the sneakers. Secondly, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump (I know, I know....save the comments) alienated many in the Latino community with his comments on immigration and Muslims when wanted to bar them from entering the U.S. Did he lose votes? (He’s leading the Republican field & it’s not even close). My point is this: I truly feel that people listen & expect a response from four sets of people in this nation. In fact, I made it into an acronym:
Hollywood
Athletes
Politicians
Super-Rich
These four groupings are the voices we have an expectation (especially politicians) when it comes to any social incongruency, miscarriages of justices, or when we need to be comforted in times when the world’s at combat or comfort. All in all, LeBron was wrong not because he didn’t speak out, but because he’s an athlete who’s super-rich and an actor on the side. Imagine being punished for not speaking up just because you’re something in this world. Things that make you go hmmm.........