The statement Jesse Jackson released yesterday about Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is truly offensive.
The week has just begun and I already think Jackson may have solidified his title as jerk of the week.
From the Associated Press:
Jesse Jackson criticized Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Sunday, saying Gilbert sees LeBron James(notes) as a “runaway slave” and that the owner’s comments after the free-agent forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.
Shortly after James announced his decision last week, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland’s fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one. He called James’ decision “cowardly” and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.
“He has gotten a free pass,” Gilbert told the AP in a phone interview late Thursday night. “People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.”
Jackson said Gilbert’s comments were “mean, arrogant and presumptuous.”
“He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” the reverend said in a release from his Chicago-based civil rights group, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Here is Jackson's full statement:
“Mr. Dan Gilbert's accusations, expressed in an open letter to LeBron James after his announcement that he will play next year’s NBA season for the Miami Heat, have legal and social implications for the league, its union and the character of LeBron James. By saying that he has gotten a free pass and that people have covered for him way too long, Gilbert suggests that LeBron has done something illegal or illicit.
He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship--between business partners--and LeBron honored his contract.
He must know the Curt Flood suit, which changed plantation rules and created free agency; and the Spencer Haywood suit that changed eligibility rules.
If he believes that LeBron quit in games 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals, then, why did he fire the coach? If he believes that LeBron intentionally quit, determining the outcome of those games, why did he pursue him and offer him and additional $120 million to stay in Cleveland?
These accusations endanger LeBron. His jersey is being burned in effigy, and he is being projected as a betrayer by the owner.
When players or coaches speak disrespectfully to or about referees, they are fined. If Mr. Gilbert cannot prove that LeBron changed games by quitting, he defames his character. He should have to face a challenge by the NBA and the players association. LeBron has every right to an apology.
Other players cannot just watch this as if it is LeBron’s personal problem. This is an attack upon players in general.
LeBron is not a child, nor is he bound to play on Gilbert’s plantation and be demeaned. He has been a model citizen and has inspired the children of Akron, Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the United States.
He has conducted camps for children, helped to win a gold medal for our nation and his public deportment has been excellent.
Mr. Gilbert's statement is mean, arrogant and presumptuous.
I hope that LeBron will speak up and speak out clearly and forcefully.”
Good grief.
I don't see anything wrong with Jackson speaking in James' defense and pointing out the positive contributions he made while playing for Cleveland.
But all this slave rhetoric employed by Jackson is really out of line.
"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave."
"LeBron is not a child, nor is he bound to play on Gilbert’s plantation and be demeaned."
James isn't the first professional athlete to leave a team for greener pastures and leave bad blood behind in the process.
It's extremely unfortunate that Jackson is choosing to play the race card.
It's unseemly.
I think Jackson's statement is "mean, arrogant and presumptuous." He owes Gilbert an apology.
Jackson's outrage is so selective. He's bent out of shape over fans burning James' jersey, but I don't remember Jackson condemning the many Leftists who burned President George W. Bush in effigy.
As usual, Jackson is jumping at this opportunity to get himself in the middle of big story. As usual, he's stoking racial animosity.
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