Return of The King

As far back as we can remember, sports and politics have often found themselves in the crosshairs of public perception. Those who oppose athletes speaking out are only concerned with what they say rather than the actual act. See, athletes speaking on political issues are ok as long as those who oppose agree with what they are saying. How can someone demanding accountability and equality be deemed a racist? That doesn't even make sense. But here we are. Recently, two well-known athletes have found themselves on the receiving end of such criticism. Lebron James is currently under unjust attack by right-wing media pundits, who continue to pinpoint him in their targeted attacks to appeal and double down on their agenda-driven tactics to appease their base. Right-wing extremists like Laura Ingraham continue to use James as a hallmark for their tired repugnant takes on who is allowed to speak out and who isn’t. This is the same woman that told James to shut up and dribble while showcasing and highlighting Drew Brees and Herschel Walker on her show. You know why? Because their words fit the discouraging and actual racist narrative that she pushes daily. Who made her the gatekeeper of all things political? Huh? Who, Laura? Whack ass Fox News? Former NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer Brett Favre is yet another high-profile athlete who came under scrutiny for attacking players for politicizing sports but stood in agreeance with Drew Brees' stance on the American Flag and National anthem. Truthfully, I don't have a problem with how any of them feel politically because that's their right to speak their mind on how they view the world. So, if they can, why can't Lebron James and the other players around the sports world? James seems to be the constant punching bag for these so-called Journalists. Why? The answer is simple, attack the most influential athlete in the world to weaken his strengths in the public eye. See, the goal is to tarnish and dim Lebron's light, so he's not as impactful of a voice to the voiceless. What makes Lebron the constant target that these out-of-touch puppets continually take aim at is the symbol of prosperity that he represents. Lebron empowers an entire generation of younger athletes that look like him and even those that don't.

As he sets his sights on a return to the game after the most prolonged absence of his career, Lebron looks to once again dominate the NBA playoffs. Many start to wonder how much he actually has left to give to the game and to life itself. One can only imagine that there is so much more. He's only begun to scratch the surface of the impact he's already given to generations to come, from local schools in Akron to putting his entire childhood team in power positions to succeed. Lebron has undoubtedly supplanted himself as someone who should not be told to just shut up and dribble. Although, in a rush to demand accountability for another officer and young black teen killing, Lebron did find himself on the wrong end of a never-ending debate surrounding police brutality. After immense scrutiny and backtracking, an attempt to explain his wording was even met with hesitancy and diminishment from those same right-wing pundits. Asking for accountability does not make one a racist. Some of these people that are so quick to accuse Lebron of racism should actually look up the definition and stop pandering to their ignorant and hate-filled audience, who will never agree with him on anything anyway. 

As he prepares for yet another playoff run in his long and illustrious career. The polarizing effects of Lebron even reverberate within me. See, I'm a lifelong, die-hard Kobe Bean Bryant and Laker fan, so the thought of cheering for Lebron is even odd for me at times. But, how can you not cheer for him? How can you not root for the good of someone who challenges every barrier they place in front of him? The kid from Akron. The chosen one. The King. He put his team on and WON.