LeBron James was criticized on Twitter by ESPN journo Jason Whitaker for saying Black men are hunted in America “everyday/everytime”.
James reacted angrily to the graphic video that shows Ahmaud Arbery’s fatal shooting in Brunswick, Georgia on Feb. 23.
“We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the…..”
Whitlock tweeted that James’s response was “not helpful”, “Twitter trolling” and “shit stirring.”
“This isn’t helpful. It’s twitter trolling. It’s using this man’s tragedy to build a brand as more outspoken than Michael Jordan. There are all kinds of ways to draw attention to this tragedy. Suggesting that we are hunted everyday/every time is just shit-stirring.”
Former NBA star Matt Barnes defended James, tweeting: “You always got some shit to say.. wtf are you doing, besides coonin?”
Arbery, 25, was shot and killed by Travis McMichael, 34, who, along with his father, former cop Greg McMichael, 64, pursued the former high school football player through an upscale majority white neighborhood.
The McMichaels would later say they believed Arbery was burglarizing homes in the neighborhood.
A grand jury will decide whether to charge the McMichaels with murder. There have been no arrests.
Disgusting. And desperate. So thirsty for engagement that youre using a cold blooded murder to get off a trash ass Bron vs MJ take. I would ask how do you look in the mirror and like the person that youve become but Im sure you never liked the person you ever were
— Aye throw that Boyz II Men on (@DragonflyJonez) May 7, 2020
You. Sir. Are an idiot. You wait to critique Lebrons response to point out he's just brand building. While you without a doubt are using Lebron to brand build. It's your only play for clout. And on this topic. You've sold your soul. Sad.
— Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) May 7, 2020
He sold his Black soul a long time ago, so he can't recognize true Black angst, disappointment, hurt, pain, anguish. Ruckusing is his job.
— Noirdos (@noirdosser) May 7, 2020
I’m going for a jog in a couple of hours, as a POC it doesn’t seem so simple anymore, I want to start the hashtag #runforahmaud because I’ve been that black kid running in a neighborhood where my family was one of two black families on the street
— AKA Frank Castle (@DJ_Blak357) May 7, 2020
I used to love the NBA before we knew about the players political leanings. If we hated a guy it was because of on court stuff. Now I hate some guys and coaches for their politics. Too bad ?
— Distinctly Diane (@DianeFYI) May 7, 2020
Whitlock never misses an opporcoonity to jump in and say something critical of black people involved with ANY issue.
— Neale (@AbeFroman) May 7, 2020
