This article was published in the Galveston Daily News on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
“Republicans buy sneakers, too” is a line often attributed to Michael Jordan in the 1990s. Jordan’s unwillingness to engage politically is attributed to his desire to protect his wallet.
This attitude has been criticized by many activist athletes over the past decade. This change has been so dramatic that many star athletes have based their entire public persona advocating for social change.
No star has been more vocal than LeBron James, the face of the NBA for the past 15 years. His actions have raised his profile and helped him make hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsorships.
James and the league of social justice athletes have proven to be nothing more than self-serving hypocrites. When the authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party overreacts to one simple tweet by Daryl Morey, an NBA general manager of the Houston Rockets, these self-proclaimed social justice athletes have lined up to kowtow to a foreign power to grovel in fear of losing a dollar.
What a revolting display of anti-patriotism. These athletes have been more than willing to degrade the United States to the tune of millions of dollars. When a communist country takes offense, they all line up apologies repeatedly.
China is not our friend. The Chinese state represses freedom of speech and jails those willing to speak out. All freedom loving people, American and otherwise, should condemn the hypocrisy of the NBA and these players.
Nike has made millions off its Colin Kaepernick in slogan: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
It appears the NBA and its players have a new slogan: “Believe in something. Unless it will cost you a dollar.”
The people of Hong Kong are waving our flag and singing our national anthem. They believe it means something. Let us stand with the people of Hong Kong. America is great because we lead. We must never kowtow to authoritarianism. Stand for the flag, stand for freedom and stand for America.
