Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lebron James "white property"

At times in America there is a willingness on behalf of most of us to ignore the truth because of its ability to make us uncomfortable. It is difficult to come to grips with the reality that we have not come as far as we would like to think. That the path towards true freedom for all of us is a long way off and that we still must courageously resist the insidious nature of racism in all its forms. This is one of those times. The despicable treatment of Lebron James by Cleveland fans and their Owner is cloaked in the latent racist themes that still characterize so much of America. The notion that the Cavaliers or the city of Cleveland owned Lebron James is deeply problematic. However, this reality pales in comparison to the ways Lebron has been characterized by the Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert has defined Lebron as "narcissistic" and "cowardly" simply because Lebron had the nerve to make a business decision that he felt would benefit him and his family. It is not Gilbert's frustration that is troubling it is the arrogance that is embedded in the outrage. It speaks to American History, and how throughout that history African Americans have been expected to be forever humble and deferential in their relations with whites. This vicious paternalism that characterizes so much of white black relations is intertwined with the turbulent history of America. Lebron is nobodies property and attacks cloaked in the idea that he belonged to Cleveland should be resisted on all fronts. African Americans must be vigilant in challenging the ways racism still seeks to define so much of our lives. It does not matter how rich or famous we become, to some we will always be property and ignoring this history or explaining it away with post-racial rhetoric does not make us progressive no it simply makes us HOUSE NIGGAS! To my comrades in the struggles as always Lets Get Free!

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