LeBron James: A photo of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
The topic of race and its historical impact on the US was at the forefront of the mind of NBA star LeBron James on Wednesday, when he asked reporters why he wasn’t getting any queries about a picture taken of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones taking part in a demonstration against racial discrimination in 1957.
The photo, which is black and white and was published in a report published by Washington Post last week, depicts a 14-year-old boy named Jones, who is looking out at an enclave of white students who attempted to prevent the six black students from getting into North Little Rock High School in Arkansas in 1957.
“I have one concern for you guys to ask before you leave,” said James, speaking shortly after his team’s Los Angeles Lakers 128-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I thought while driving to the office, and I’ve not received a response from you guys regarding this Jerry Jones photo.
“But during the time that the Kyrie [Irving] issue was happening, you all were quick to ask questions regarding that.”
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving was suspended for eight games in March when he refused to issue an apology after he posted a document that contained anti-Semitic content on his Twitter account.
The question of race and its historical impact throughout the US was on the top of NBA star LeBron James’ mind on Wednesday, when he questioned reporters why he didn’t get any inquiries about a photograph that shows Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at a demonstration against racial discrimination in 1957.
The black and white image, which was featured in a story in the Washington Post last week – shows a young Jones looking out at the crowd of White students trying to prevent the six Black students from getting into North Little Rock High School in Arkansas in 1957.
“I have a concern for you guys to ask before you leave,” said James in his post-game interview following his team’s 128-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I thought while driving to the office why I’ve not received a response from you about this Jerry Jones photo.
“But during the time that the Kyrie [Irving] issue was happening, you were quick to inquire about it.”
Brooklyn Nets star Irving was suspended for eight games in March because he did not apologize for posting the document that contained anti-Semitic remarks on his Twitter account.
“It’s talked about every day.’
Lebron opposed the media’s treatment of the photo from 1957 (“It appears like it’s been lost,” said the Lakers star) and the day-to-day coverage Irving’s tweet received from the media.
“We’re discussing my people and the experiences we’ve experienced and the Jerry Jones photo is one of those times which our folks, Black people, have suffered through throughout America,” said James.
“I find myself feeling like a black man and as a black professional athlete and as a person who has power and a platform when we commit a sin, or something people don’t like, and the issue is on every tabloid, on every single news report, and it’s right at the bottom of the ticker.” The topic is discussed daily.
“It seems to me that this whole Jerry Jones situation photo, and I’m sure it was years ago, and we all have made mistakes, but I am sure,” the 37-year-old James continued. “But it’s not our fault.”
If asked to comment on the photograph following its publication in The Washington Post, Jones told reporters that he was a curious child and did not realize how significant the incident was.
“I did not know that at the time, the huge moment was really taking place,” Jones said, according to ESPN.
“I’m relieved we’re still far from the point of no return.” I am. It would be a reminder to continue to do everything we can to ensure we do not let these kinds of incidents occur.
CNN has been in contact with both the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Lakers for comments.
I am proudly speaking out about social justice.
Five times NBA winner James was confronted regarding Irving in November. He responded: “I believe what Kyrie did was a snare to many people. He has since, in the past few days – or perhaps yesterday – apologized. However, he did cause some harm.
“It isn’t important which color you’re wearing or your height and what position you’re sitting in, if you’re advertising or soliciting or making statements that harm the community in which you are causing harm to people, then I won’t accept it. I’m not a fan of it.”
James was once a genuine Dallas Cowboys fan, but recently, he announced that he had switched his loyalty toward Cleveland Browns. Cleveland Browns followed the Cowboys policy, reiterated by Jones, that players take part in the national anthem, as players across the nation were kneeling to protest racial and social injustice.
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“It’s simply a bunch of things taking place while, you know, people were kneeling,” James said during an Instagram Live chat with Maverick Carter, one of the NBA star’s longtime business partners and friends.
Several people from their front office and some of the people in charge of the business said, “If you did that here, it would be the last time you are a part of this franchise again.” It was just not something I thought was right.”
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In 2018, Jones told reporters: “Our policy is to stand during the anthem and toes across the field.”
James has been vocal for a long time about social justice issues and co-founded the voting rights group “More Than a Vote” together with several other Black artists and athletes to work towards tackling the systemic racism that is causing voter suppression.
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