A movement has started in the NBA, a socially active movement, raising awareness for police brutality and the death of Eric Garner, who was yelling in the video “I can’t breathe.” Many athletes have worn shirts, pants, or something to represent their protest, Derrick Rose was the first on in the NBA. He wore the “I can’t breathe” shirt, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers, including LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving, a long with the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns. It received a lot of publicity and praise from tons of celebrities and people around the world, but now the President of the United States is praising it.
According to Sandra Sobieraj Westfall of People Magazine:
“You know, I think LeBron did the right thing,” Obama told PEOPLE two days after that Cavaliers-Nets game.
“We went through a long stretch there where [with] well-paid athletes the notion was: just be quiet and get your endorsements and don’t make waves,” he also said. “LeBron is an example of a young man who has, in his own way and in a respectful way, tried to say, ‘I’m part of this society, too’ and focus attention.
“I’d like to see more athletes do that,” he added. “Not just around this issue, but around a range of issues.”
There have been mixed views about if the players should wear the shirts, even Adam Silver said he preferred for them not to. Obama’s comments are injuries because not too long ago, he said the protests in the streets are not necessary, and now he is praising the KING himself. Interesting, and it’s always good when the President of the United States praises you.
