Politics and sports are usually two separate worlds, but as of late, the two have intersected unlike we’ve seen since the days of Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Jim Brown and Bill Russell. Nowadays, players have more influence and platform to speak about anything they want, more so than previous generations. More and more athletes are socially conscious, and the NBA is a great example of that.
LeBron James has always been a leading figure in the world of sports, speaking about anything he deems is important and has enough knowledge about. He leads the way, but it was his talented point guard Kyrie Irving that took his turn to speak out this past all-star weekend about the controversial bill that forced the city of Charlotte to lose the 2017 all-star game.
The game event was all ready to go until the NBA decided that New Orleans was better suited at this moment in time, uproxx.com explains.
Charlotte, which was set to host the All-Star Game this year until the league moved the game after the bill wasn’t repealed, initially passed an ordinance offering protections for LGBT individuals – and inside the motion was allowing people the freedom to use whichever bathroom they choose. That was what the North Carolina lawmakers focused on, and HB2 moved forward quickly behind former governor Pat McCrory.
Irving, as well as other NBA personalities were asked an array of questions during all-star weekend, anything from politics, to everyday life and basketball matters, but when the 24-year old was asked about the situation, he chose his words carefully and responded in a professional and well thought out manner.
“We all believe in equal rights as humans,” Irving said. “I think we should all stand for that. No matter what preference or particular gender or any way anyone wants to live their life, I think it should be an open installment for anything you want to be in this world. Once that wasn’t echoed [by North Carolina], and it was echoed by the league, we had to move places.”
The all-star game wasn’t the only event the city lost, NCAA events, concerts and businesses also parted ways.
Irving is familiar with the state of North Carolina, as he played his college ball at Duke University, about a 30-minute drive from the state capital.
Charlotte will have the chance to get the all-star game back in the coming years, but the bill will have to be removed from the books. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been adamant about that, and players like Irving will continue to push for positive change in the future.