LeBron James took time to speak on the racism that Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was subjected to on Monday night.
Following the Cleveland Cavaliers victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, LeBron James took the podium postgame to talk about the Cavs’ second dominant victory in the series and passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in all-time playoff points. He also took the time to comment on the situation regarding the Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones, who was recently taunted with the “n-word” by fans of the Boston Red Sox.
“It’s not great for sports”, said James. “It’s not great for society.”
"If we can keep the conversation going, I think it helps."
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 4, 2017
LeBron took time to address the delicate situation involving Adam Jones. pic.twitter.com/TeNeGU6Otc
While James admitted that his knowledge of the situation is limited as he’s been engaged in these playoffs, he says he was watching the game when it happened and noticed athletes coming to Jones’ defense.
In fact, Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who was in the opposing team’s bullpen on Monday night stepped up for Jones.
Fact: I'm Black too ✊🏽Literally stand up for @SimplyAJ10 tonight and say no to racism. We as @RedSox and @MLB fans are better than this.
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) May 2, 2017
Betts even got the Red Sox fans to give Jones a standing ovation when he returned.
According to Fox Sports’ Chris Bahr, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy and owner John Henry have threatened to revoke the heckler’s or hecklers’ tickets, which Jones says are “sacred” to Red Sox fans.
As for how often Jones heard these racist remarks (quote transcribed by Fox Sports’ Chris Bahr):
"“I don’t know how many fingers I have, or toes, to keep count. You hear it. It’s just unfortunate that someone would resort to try and bring you down like that,” Jones said."
Regarding the situation, while James said he hasn’t personally heard any racist remarks directed towards him, he’s glad that the conversation about racism is still happening. It helps. It helps because, well, racism is still happening.
Young black Americans are still being murdered in cold blood and their murderers are going unpunished. The Ku Klux Klan still has rallies. Rhetoric from Capitol Hill has been divisive this year, simultaneously infuriating multiple ethnic groups.
He makes sure to tell his sons as much though, as he says, him telling them about it and them experiencing it are two different things.
James, who grew up in the Spring Hill projects of Akron, Ohio, where rent was only $17 a month, had a far different lifestyle growing up than his sons have as the heirs of the King of the NBA. James was impoverished growing up. His net worth is now $275 million, according to Forbes.
Lifestyles for the rich and famous are much different than the lifestyles of the typical American, regardless of race. However, that doesn’t mean that James’ kids won’t experience some level or form or racism.
Jones can attest to that.
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