LOS ANGELES – One day after a mob of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol, Los Angeles Lakers captain LeBron James wondered what would have happened if the insurgent group was largely black. , and blamed President Donald Trump for the chaos.
“We live in two Americas,” James said on Thursday after the Lakers 118-109 lost to the San Antonio Spurs. “And that was an excellent example of that yesterday, and if you don’t understand that or don’t see that later. By seeing what you saw yesterday, you really have to take a step back, not even one step, but maybe four or five , or even 10 steps back and ask yourself how you love your children, or how you love your grandchildren, or how we want the United States to be seen Do we want to live in this beautiful country?
James, dressed in a black shirt with the message “Do you understand now?” In capital letters, he said he had seen news of Wednesday’s riots, which showed that a predominantly white crowd was greeted by a relatively passive police force. He said it got him thinking about how he and his family – his wife, his three children, and his mother-in-law, all black – would be treated in the same situation.
If it was mine storming the Capitol, what would have been the result? And I think we all know that, ”said James. “There are no assumptions,” and “or” but “- we already know what would have happened to my class if someone had approached the Capitol, let alone in the offices, in the hallways.”
James’ teammate Anthony Davis echoed the sentiment, contrasting with how Black Lives Matter protesters were greeted by police across the country during the summer.
“It’s like a double standard,” said Davis, wearing a T-shirt with the title from Public Enemy’s 1990 album “Fear of Black Planet” stitched on his chest. On the other hand, an entire group runs into the nation’s Capitol and is led out the front door as if everything is all right.
And if I’m not wrong, well I’m not wrong, they took things, and then the [movimiento] Black Lives Matter protested, “As soon as the looting begins, the shooting begins.” And as far as I know, if you take anything, you loot. And in that case they were escorted to the front door. And it is just a blow to us. It feels like we are going backwards. We thought we saw a change and then this happens. “
In May, Trump tweeted, “When the looting begins, the shooting begins” and threatened military action in response to the social justice movement sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was in police custody in Minneapolis when he died of a kneeling. officer. on his neck.
James, who has had a public exchange of views with Trump for years, said the outgoing president is guilty of what happened on Wednesday.
“The events that took place yesterday were a direct correlation to the president currently in the chair – his actions, his beliefs, his wishes,” said James. ‘He only cares about himself. No one. Absolutely no one. He doesn’t care about this country. He doesn’t care about his family. He only cares about him. ‘
In 2016, while standing in the Cleveland Cavaliers locker room the night Trump was elected, James openly wondered if it would be better to leave the country. He said on Thursday night it was a detrimental presidential term for the country.
“Four years ago I sat there and said this is the beginning of the end of our country. And I hope it only lasts four years,” said James. “But the one thing you can’t get back in life, the one thing you can’t ever get back, and that’s time. You can’t go back in time. We’ve literally only lost four years. How do we do that?” get back? ”.
The rape of the Capitol on Wednesday, which resulted in five deaths and the resignation of the Capitol Police Chief, came hours before Joe Biden was officially certified as the 46th President of the United States when Congress upheld the College’s count. Electoral from 306-232.
James said he believes Biden and elected Vice President Kamala Harris offer hope for the country.
“We took a step forward in November by choosing Joe and Kamala for the White House to become the heads of our country,” said James. “That’s a step forward.”
Davis said the Lakers and Spurs demonstration before the game – connecting the arms in a circle in midfield as the national anthem played – was destined to continue to inspire unity during a difficult time.
“We just can’t lose hope. No matter what. As a fraternity in the league and myself as an African American, we can’t afford to lose hope just because we don’t see change,” Davis said. “That’s what people want. They want us to lose hope, lose faith and let ourselves fade. Let the idea of change fade away. And let’s do nothing … We have to stay united and show solidarity to do. We will certainly remain strong through all of this. “