[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Rev. Jesse Jackson: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert put LeBron James in danger - ESPN

Here comes Jesse to play his race card and try to wedge himself into the spotlight. This guy is an embarrassment. His comments are inflammatory and irresponsible.

Actually Nevada and JR, that response is in many ways accurate and not new. The reactions to LeBron leaving really makes you wonder when a free agent leaves and you act as if he was obligated or owed you something. That is business.

BTW, there is a book that talks about the very same issue called, Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete by William C. Rhoden. The book was published in 2006 and talks about the treatment of athletes who are Black from the admiration to the criticism.

This was not a new idea. And I love it when people say "You played the race card" when people make observations about people's behavior and decide what that means whether it is Dan Gilbert to Mel Gibson. This was a similar conversation I have already had with several Black people that saw Gilbert's comments in the same way. Jackson did not play a card, Jackson made a common observation.

Peace