LeBron James is no stranger to using his athletic fame as a vehicle to advocate for social justice and equality. The MVP has accused President Donald Trump of dividing the country while he reflected on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the way civil rights plays out on MLK Day 2018.
James is clear about his his feeling about President Trump. Since he has taken office, James has repeatedly challenged the current administration’s policies and rhetoric, framing them as divisive and harmful.
“We are in a difficult state right now as Americans as well with the leader of our country. But us, like I said, no matter the religion, no matter the shapes and sizes, we all have to continue to come together and shine a brighter light on, you know, I mean, (I don’t want to) use the word stupidity, but that’s basically what it comes down to.”
Even with everything going on in this country today, LeBron still wanted to make sure MLK’s legacy still remain the focal point and salute the NBA for everything they have done to honor King’s legacy.
“I think it’s unbelievable what the NBA has done. To be able to have this many games, a lot of great games today, on such a great day. For a man who stood for more than himself. You always hear people saying, ‘risking their life.’ He (King) actually gave up his life for the betterment of all of us to be able to live in a free world and for us to be able to have a voice, for us to go out and be free no matter your skin color, no matter who you are, no matter the height and size and the weight or whatever the case may be, wherever you are, he had a vision and he took a bullet for all of us. Literally. In the rawest form that you could say that. He literally took a bullet for us.”
