Seth Udinski, FISM News
L.A. Lakers star forward LeBron James has been known for pushing liberal agenda as a self-proclaimed political expert and social activist. In the wake of the death of Ma’Kiah Bryant, a 16-year old girl who was fatally shot by police in Columbus, Ohio, while trying to stab another girl, James took to social media to blast the police. He tweeted a message last week in which he posted a picture of an anonymous Columbus police officer and a threatening message. He later deleted the tweet amidst backlash, but defended it by claiming his anger with law enforcement is justified.
James’ actions have caught the attention of some who, unlike the entitled multi-million dollar NBA star, understand the true nature of being a faithful officer of the law. This past week, Deon Joseph, a 25-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and an African American himself, wrote an open letter to James in which he challenged and rebuked the NBA star. He said,
Your tweet that targeted a police officer in Ohio who saved a young woman’s life was irresponsible and disturbing. It showed a complete lack of understanding of the challenge of our job in the heat of a moment. You basically put a target on the back of a human being who had to make a split second decision to save a life from a deadly attack. Instead of apologizing, you deflected. You said you took your tweet down because you did not want it to be used for hate, when the tweet itself was the embodiment of hatred, rooted in a lack of understanding of the danger of the situation.
Joseph agreed with the need for protection against police brutality, specifically for African Americans. He then rightly exposed James’ hypocrisy in doing exactly what the “bad apples” of the police force do when they encounter a black person – assume the worst in an entire group based on the actions of a small minority.
Joseph then threw down the gauntlet politely but firmly. He challenged James to an honest, private conversation:
The offer is on the table Lebron. No cameras. No fanfare. Just two men who care talking. I know it’s a long shot. But this division and hatred must stop.
Currently, James has not responded to Joseph’s request.