LeBron James Is ‘Terrified’ About His Life Away from Basketball
Throughout the last several years, LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has utilized his platform to bring attention to social issues. That has been taken up several notches over the last few months after the increase in publicity of these ongoing problems. James aired his strong feelings toward that after the recent near-fatal shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
LeBron James remains outspoken on social issues
The last few months have seen an enormous increase in the push for social change across the United States.
Much of that has come directly from the continued mistreatment that the Black community receives from law enforcement. These issues have led many prominent professional athletes to use their platforms to bring attention to these situations. LeBron James is among those that have utilized their strong social media presence to call for action.
James is one of the most vocal NBA players, which holds much gravity because he’s the face of the league. His words carry significant weight while he has long been vocal about these social issues for many years. The continued occurrence of these tragic situations for Black Americans in the United States has further pushed the need for massive change.
That has led to James airing out his vulnerable feelings after yet another disappointing situation.
LeBron James is fearful due to social issues
LeBron James once again voiced his concerns about social issues after a video surfaced of the nearly fatal incident involving Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Blake is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot eight times in the back by a police officer on Sunday evening after he attempted to get into his car.
His three young children were in the vehicle while his fiance was outside the car, witnessing the incident unfold. In response to that, James voiced after Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers that Black people in the United States are “terrified” because of the unknown factor when it comes to treatment from law enforcement.
“I know people get tired of hearing me say it but we are scared as Black people in America. Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified. Because you don’t know, you have no idea. You have no idea how that cop that day left the house. You don’t know if he woke up on the good side of the bed, you don’t know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”
It’s another puzzling situation that left James baffled that the police officer didn’t utilize other means of detaining Blake before firing his gun. There were other options available, but the one chosen has left the 29-year-old paralyzed from the waist down. The sentiment that James voiced is one that many Black Americans feel toward law enforcement because of the continued unfair treatment.
Many other NBA players voice need for change
It isn’t just LeBron James in the NBA utilizing his platform to bring attention to these social issues.
Oklahoma City Thunder star point guard Chris Paul ventured that route after Monday’s win over the Houston Rockets as voiced the need for people to vote. Paul went as far as challenging each NBA team to have all their players registered to vote to help create change. It also saw Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill question whether the NBA should have continued their season amidst all these social issues.
Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell went to Twitter to air out his raw feelings toward Blake’s situation. Mitchell stated that he didn’t care about the games and the playoffs and that there is a “real problem,” which is why the Black community doesn’t feel safe.
The NBA community has continued to stay on top of these social issues, which they utilize their platforms and the league’s to bring attention to these ongoing disappointing situations.
