Jesse Jackson Says A Foolish Thing

You had to be living under a rock to not know about Lebron James signing with the Miami Heat.

The two-time NBA MVP was the most sought-after player in this year’s free agent class, and he made the announcement on an ESPN special called “The Decision” that was watched by nearly 10 million people.

The most interesting thing about the drama has been people’s reaction to James’s choice. Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cavs, wrote an emotional open letter where he accused James of a “shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own” and “shocking act of disloyalty,” among other things.

As entertaining as Gilbert’s letter was, ultimately he was crying crocodile tears. Gilbert railed against entitled athletes when he indulged James’s every whim in hopes of keeping him in Cleveland. Gilbert is a hypocrite.

But instead of dismissing Gilbert’s letter as the rantings of a jilted lover, Jesse Jackson jumped into the mix with his own letter declaring that Gilbert’s statements “personify a slave master mentality” and hold “legal and social implications for the league, its union and the character of LeBron James.”

Comments like this illustrate why Jackson’s reputation has gone from civil rights activist to “race hustler” in many people’s eyes.

Does it make sense to make references to slavery when talking about someone who just signed a deal for more than $100 million? Lebron James does not meet anybody’s definition of oppressed. In fact, James has no problem indulging in stereotypes, such as this racially-tinged photo for Vogue where he recasts himself as King Kong.

The United States has yet to effectively deal with its legacy of slavery, but bringing it into situations where it is not relevant is not only a distraction, it makes it more difficult to hold the more substantitive and necessary discussions about its lingering impact.

There are so many serious issues worthy of Jackson’s time that his concern for Lebron James looks like a bid for media attention.

Jesse, you messed up this time.