I’m a Pennsylvania native (but I'm not a Steelers or Eagles fan!) and have lived in the area for a couple years now. When I'm not working, I'm coaching swimming. If you want ask me a question, or don't like my blog, or just want to give me some coaching advice, I'd love to hear from you! -Christina Christina@MainlineDayton.com
LeBron James: Race NOT a Factor
by Christina,posted Oct 1 2010 1:29PM
LeBron: Race a factor in 'Decision' coverage LeBron James Says Race "Played A Factor" In Decision Backlash
LeBron James says race a factor in reaction to Miami Heat announcement
LeBron James says race may be a factor in backlash
James's manager: Race a factor in coverage
Lebron James Unwisely Pulls the Race Card to Explain Plummeting Popularity
LeBron James and Maverick Carter Play the Race Card Post-Decision
Those are just a few of the headlines that have plastered the newspapers and internet since reports came out that LeBron James did an interview with CNN and made some comments about race.
How many of you have watched the CNN interview?
I have to admit, it was quite hard for me to find the actual interview between LeBron James, Soledad O’Brien, and Maverick Carter, James’ advisor.
I’m going to guess most people offering opinions have only seen the question that O’Brien asked, ‘Do you think there’s a role that race plays in this?’ in clips.
And if that was the only section of the interview you watched then yes, those headlines you see above would make you think he was playing the race card. But sadly, the only one who played the race card, was Soledad O’Brien and her producers.
I challenge you to watch the video, the entire video.
Assuming that most of you did watch it, now what do you think? Do you still think LeBron played the race card?
Well someone did, but it wasn't LBJ.
James was asked a question, by a reporter; who I’m going to guess, was A. told to ask that question or B. was told to spice up the interview.
And maybe this is the female in me, but if you notice, Ms. O’Brien, in almost the entire video is wearing black.
When she asks that question, she is wearing…pink.
And when Maverick Carter, James advisor, answers the so-called race question, you never actually hear him comment on race. All he says is, ‘it definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out in the media…and things that were written, for sure.’
I don’t know what question Maverick Carter answered, and I don’t know why Soledad O’Brien asked that particular question on a different day of filming, but what I can tell you, is that this is a non-issue. The only ‘race’ that is a factor, is trying to get your story as much coverage as possible with inane questions.
Because lets be honest, if race actually did play a factor in him staying or leaving Cleveland, then let’s just call bullshit on that right here and now.
According to the 2000 Census, (sorry 2010 isn’t out yet) but Cleveland had a 51% black population, the first Florida city to register on the list, was Tallahassee, with 34%; I should also throw in that Tallahassee is 8 hours from Miami. Oh and just for the fun of it, if race was really a factor, then he would have gone with the Knicks; New York is the leader with 3.5 million African Americans.
LeBron James has done a lot of obnoxious things -taking his talents to South Beach is pretty high on the list - but he didn't play the race card.
