The NBA should pay attention to Montrezl Harrell’s racist remark
2020 has been a tough year. It began with the wildfires in Australia, continued with a global pandemic, and with a revolution against racism. In the meantime, the world of basketball suffered the losses of David Stern and Kobe Bryant.
However, as we speak, NBA games are being played in a very well-organized bubble. Fight against racism is the main social issue that LeBron James, Chris Paul, and their peers are focusing on. Everybody speaks about the importance of equality and how Black Lives Matter.
Originally, when this movement appeared, there were a lot of people who had a problem with this slogan, saying that all lives matter, not only black lives. The leaders of the Afro-American community responded that it is true that all lives matter, but right now, the black lives are in danger.
A couple of nights ago, in game 3 of the Mavericks-Clippers series, Montrezl Harrell called Luka Doncic a “bi**h a** white boy”. I don’t think that Doncic got upset or that Harrell is a racist, but I can only imagine what would have happened if the Slovenian called Harrell a “bi**h a** black boy”. The press would have exploded with accuses towards Doncic and he would have been suspended by the league.
Instead, almost no one talked about this incident between Harrell and Doncic. As I said earlier, I don’t think that Doncic got upset, but this kind of talk gives the idea that it is alright to be racist as long as you are not saying anything about black lives.
Let’s be clear I’m not trying to diminish the Black Lives Matter movement. What I’m trying to say is that if you request someone to behave in a way with you, you have to behave in the same way towards them. You can’t ask someone to stop being racist with you, but then be racist with them.
In the end, I think that Harrell was frustrated, I don’t think he is a racist, but in my opinion, Adam Silver should have a statement about this incident. Otherwise, the league will lose some credibility.
*photo: fadeawayworld.net
