LeBron James admits that he’s scared by the horrific images of unarmed citizens being gunned down by the police in broad daylight, but says his support of Colin Kapernick won’t result in refusing to stand for the national anthem.
James is in favor of peaceful protest, but is dismayed that so little seems to be changing.
LeBron will stand for anthem, says 'scary' to be parent now (from @AP) https://t.co/TPHhdmp8Vn
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) September 26, 2016
LeBron says he fears what would happen should his son get pulled over by the cops:
“I’m not here to ramp on America, that’s not me,” James told the Associated Press on Monday. “I’m not a politician, but I’ve lived this life and I’ve got a family and what scares me is my kids growing up in this society right now, where innocent lives are being taken and it seems like nothing is being done.”
“I’m all in favor of anyone, athlete or non-athlete, being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner and that’s exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that,” James said. “When I’m passionate about something I’ll speak up on it, so me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That’s who I am, that’s what I believe in. But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and don’t agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing. […] You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion and he’s doing it in the most peaceful way I’ve ever seen someone do something,” James said.
A father of three, James has been disturbed enough by recent shooting to fear the day his 12-year-old son, LeBron Jr., gets a driver’s license and can be out on his own. […] “You tell your kids if you just apply and if you just listen to the police that they will be respectful and it will work itself out,” he said. “You see these videos that continue to come out, and it’s a scary-ass situation that if my son calls me and says that he’s been pulled over that I’m not that confident that things are going to go well and my son is going to return home.”
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