If there is a player that likes addressing social issues and does not shy away from non-basketball related questions, it is LeBron James. The 33-year old uses his social media platforms and the media to speak about social issues like equality. He is known to disagree with the United States President Donal Trump’s opinions and has been critical of him in the past.
After President Trump reportedly made racist and discriminatory comments last week, including a reference to African nations as “s***hole countries”, he denied making such comments and said he was not racist. “I’m not a racist. I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed, that I can tell you,” the 45th President of the United States declared.
James did not take his word and addressed the comments. As reported by ClutchPoints’ Nikki Goel, James was outright disgusted by the comments Mr. Trump reportedly made:
Despite not saying President Trump’s name, it is clear the four-time MVP was speaking about him. James also commented on Twitter that people should not remain quiet and encouraged to follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps with bravery:
James has been a victim of racism before, even after he became an NBA superstar and all-time great. One of those incidents occurred last year when his Los Angeles house was vandalized and sprayed with a racist slur. He also opened the 2016 ESPYs alongside close friends Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. Each took turns to speak about violence and injustice, and how athletes should not be quiet on said matters.
