Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Michael Jordan: ‘He Took Commerce Over Conscience’

[↓R↑LYB]

You guys talk about how black empowerment starts with building wealth in your communities.

And yet the second someone of color is in a position to spearhead such empowerment, you're quick to give them a pass and hop on that "everyone is out for themselves" argument.

And the way you justify this is to point at other white rich people and say that they don't get caught up in social issues or "white empowerment".

As if the black experience/predicament is anything like the white one.

Why are you looking to Jordan to empower black people? Jordan has never stood up for any cause and has never claimed to be pro black. It's hilarious because dudes will go on all day about what Jordan ain't doing or saying but will buy Apple products all day when Apple actively discriminates against hiring black people

If you're gonna boycott Jordan for not doing anything for the black community, boycott all companies that don't speak up as well.

Jordan can't help me in my community. I live in Atlanta. He's in Chicago. So if I want to empower my community, I have to do it because I live here. Jordan doesn't owe anybody shyt except sneakers.

 

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Kareem the same dude who sued a fellow muslim for having the same name as him then did a beer commercial.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Kareem a deadbeat tho?I gotta see some receipts

 

[Rocket Scientist]

kareem got a lot of his hippie ideas from hanging out in indian reservations

naw from smoking that peace pipe

 

[Remote]

Why are you looking to Jordan to empower black people? Jordan has never stood up for any cause and has never claimed to be pro black. It's hilarious because dudes will go on all day about what Jordan ain't doing or saying but will buy Apple products all day when Apple actively discriminates against hiring black people

If you're gonna boycott Jordan for not doing anything for the black community, boycott all companies that don't speak up as well.

Jordan can't help me in my community. I live in Atlanta. He's in Chicago. So if I want to empower my community, I have to do it because I live here. Jordan doesn't owe anybody shyt except sneakers.

If the most recognizable and one of the most powerful and influential black men on the planet doesn't owe it to himself and others to uplift and improve conditions for his people, then it's a damn shame.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

If the most recognizable and one of the most powerful and influential black men on the planet doesn't owe it to himself and others to uplift and improve conditions for his people, then it's a damn shame.

Nobody knows what Jordan is doing for black people, and honestly it's irrelevant. Jordan is a celebrity. I'm not sure why we're looking to him for anything.

 

[Gravity]

you sound really angry did i strike a c00n's nerve? you got shemar moore written all over you
didnt know i had to personally run a program to give back to my community
guess volunteer work and donating $$ to my community is shameful
but not to dissapoint ya bytch ass the ANNUAL xmas toy and coat drive I help fund in harlem is coming up
not gonna even argue with a sambo im gonna post it in this thread just make sure ya bytch ass keep your word and donate that 100 and show the coli the receipts.

You're trying too hard with all the smilies fakkit. My point remains. Any grown black man sitting around waiting on some rich celebrity to swoop in and save them is a bytch.

Notice how everybody is a community organizer when you call them out. You c00ns aren't fooling anyone.

 

[homiedontplaydat]

I'm not gonna go at Kareem like that out of respect, but its crazy how yall in here talking like Jordan has never done ANYTHING for the black community. Jordan ain't Muhammed Ali, but he's not Don Lemon either.

I think some of yall really let that whole "no nikkas" shyt cloud yall judgement of this man. Jordan has done more for the black community than anybody posting on this site, I just find it ridiculous that any of us here think we are in a position to judge him.

 

[Bolzmark]

Because society made him who he is. Society helped him along the way. And if it wasn't for those fighting for his rights before he even knew what a basketball was, he would not be in the position he's in today.

Its EVERYBODIES duty to give back to society, otherwise there would be no society.


Exactly. I'm not wealthy in any way, but I still do what I can to help people that need it. We all should


no one said anything about being a savior. This is a strawman yall like to throw out and attack.

People regardless of their walk in life should be looking to help out their fellow man. Being that money=power, its not unreasonable to expect athletes and entertainers to give back.


And Jordin didn't spend one moment marching, protesting, fighting for his right to exist in the world he does. yet he still reaps the benefits.



what are you doing?

Society made him who he is? No, he earned that. His fame and money isn't some gift society have him. He had to work hard and have superior talent. THEN society says ok we'll let you entertain us. You turn on the tv or go to a game and expect him to play his best. You pay for your tv service or for tickets to the game. That's where his obligation ends.

Another thing that people with your stance always forget is that - YOU DON"T KNOW MICHAEL JORDAN. You want him to take a position on social issues? Do you know what his position will be on those issues? Or are you expecting him to think like you just because he's black? Please understand, you may share the same race but his life is nothing like yours and hasn't been for decades. Therefore, he may look at things differently than you. For example, back when the Ferguson and Eric Garner situations were all over the news, Charles Barkley was interviewed. One thing he said that always makes me laugh was "Well, police only come around when something is wrong". But then I thought about it, and with the lifestyle he has lived since the 80's, his experiences are different. You or I get stopped by the cops, we thinking lets not get killed today. Cop will likely be rude or whatever. Barkley gets stopped by the cops, its gonna be some "OHHHH whats up Charles!?!? Great to meet you! Oh you were speeding a little but its all good. Can I get an autograph??"

So looking for people who live privileged lifestyles to think like you do is probably the wrong thing to do. Would it be NICE, if MJ did more? Of course. But do I EXPECT him to do more? No.

 

[Big Boss]

 

[ucanthandlethetruth]

You're trying too hard with all the smilies fakkit. My point remains. Any grown black man sitting around waiting on some rich celebrity to swoop in and save them is a bytch.

Notice how everybody is a community organizer when you call them out. You c00ns aren't fooling anyone.

i'll be what ever you want me to be shemar
but when I post that Xmas toy/coat drive info just donate that $100 like you said you would fakkit
will be in touch

 

[CACarot]

I honestly think people put too much of this on Jordan. There are execs, stock holders, board members, marketers and business men at nike that have more influence over the Jordan Brand and pricing than Jordan does.

 

[Big Boss]

@Peter Vecsey what was Jordan like when he was in b ham?

 

[ucanthandlethetruth]

Only black people fall for this bullshyt.

Every other race looks out for their race when they come up... Except black folks. Nobody is asking Jordan just to hand out shyt to people, but he could at least hire black people or do something. This goes for all the boule Oprah minded negros in Hollywood & athletics.

nikkas try so hard to be on some shyt to impress white folks when white folks won't EVER fukk w/ us on that level. Look at Bill Cosby, look at Kobe Bryant, look at Oprah when she was trynna buy that purse in Europe... Look at every black QB in the league lol. nikkas is the only people who willingly let white folks play divide & conquer and will be proud on some "IM INDEPENDENT!" ... Until white folks pull that card

step n fetch nikkas really said blacks are lined up seeking free handouts from celebs the worse devils are our own

Ali was nowhere near as powerful as Jordan, and he stood up during a period where it even HARDER TO DO SO
where the backlash from American Society was much more dangerous

don't go there

Once again, you are being a fakkit and not listening

Jordan today is not in the same has a Jordan then

The Michael Jordan today does not have the same power he once held, which is why I say he wasted his chance to impact the world

the shyt you said about iverson is some cac shyt straight up
and irrelevant to the conversation

Iverson was never a Michael Jordan figure, he was never a worldwide icon, he was never beloved by the masses

What can't you understand, it's not about money you moron I already stated it

Michael Jordan was even passive in the Donald Sterling fiasco, why do you think Lebron grimmed him on the sideline

because everyone knows Jordan is in a different social standing than any black man in this country including Obama, and he chose to he could do something about it

it's reason why Michael Jordan is the only black owner in the NBA, when someone like Magic Johnson could easily be an owner too

you just don't get

i seriously doubt even this dummy doesnt understand that but the c00n is strong in this one.

You said you'd like to help, do it.

I'm not identifying myself to an internet stranger. You see the program is legit and is helping out black people. Donate

All that donate shyt dude was talkin swiftly got followed with a bunch of excuses and stipulations superc00n aint cutting no checks are you @Gravity ?

 

[CashmereThoughts]

Everybody else is getting money. Why is it a crime when a black man is getting money?

Business should never be mixed with social causes. Its either one or the other.

Jordan never made himself out to be anyone's hero.