Kenny Smith's open letter to Charles Barkley:

[Mr Bubbles]

this is my issue with the coli, why do you (not just you, general sentiments in every thread) think everyone is going to go to their workplace expressing every view of theirs, no matter how offensive? do you start discussions with your white boss, co workers, teachers, or classmates, etc. going off on your disgust of whites, gays, etc and/or expressing your deepest hate or 100% honest opinion, etc? i know i've worked with white men who, thru various covert comments, have revealed they're the type to be sitting at home calling these protesters "******", but they've never said anything crazy to me because work is not the platform for them to go off the handle. these subjects aren't black and white, nor are the actions people should take.

This goes both ways though. White people in the NFL have come out swinging saying that the players were wrong for what they did and need to apologize. Why are they allowed to take a side but we're not? Because they have the power? I'm not saying come out calling people crakas or anything like that. But speak from the heart. White people are going to be offended by anything we do no matter what it is if it isn't being submissive. People like Shaq who have money can help bridge us to getting power through businesses which give us jobs which give us money.

 

[OG_StankBrefs]

 

[Youhadasparkwhenustarted]

I hope this letter picks up as much traction in the media as Barkley's quotes did, but I think we all know it won't. Kenny's right, Barkley no expert on social issues, and he's not even thoughtful or empathetic, so his opinion shouldn't be given the weight it does. But since Barkley's a notable figure, and since his opinion helps reinforce the negative world views of bigots and racists everywhere( "bu-t-t-ttt, Barkley said it and he's black!"), his words will continue to be held up by the same people who hate his ass. So props to Kenny for stepping up, it seems most people won't check their peers when they say some dumb shyt.

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

This goes both ways though. White people in the NFL have come out swinging saying that the players were wrong for what they did and need to apologize. Why are they allowed to take a side but we're not? Because they have the power? I'm not saying come out calling people crakas or anything like that. But speak from the heart. White people are going to be offended by anything we do no matter what it is if it isn't being submissive. People like Shaq who have money can help bridge us to getting power through businesses which give us jobs which give us money.

Who else besides ditka, who we know to be a toe the line racist, came out and said anything negative? Serious question. all the usual talking heads I watch all came out with the ho hum pc bull or supported the players actions.

As for creating jobs, etc. that's true and fine, but that has nothing to do with the topic of whether shaq, analyst-x, etc has to go off the handle at work speaking unfiltered views on sensitive topics...the people that choose to, awesome, but not everyone wants to handle it that way

 

[WeDemBoyz]

Kenny's so real. Chuck is a buster. Shaq is going to mumble. Ernie will try and skip over the subject tomorrow.

:mbwow:

 

[havoc]

Glad he addressed it. He's right about certain people going right to Chuck cause they know how they'll be able to frame his comments.

Yep. The conservatives punks like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are going to frame his comment into a deflective weapon to deflect racism, and used Chuck's opinion as a pass to commence racial diatribe on black people. Speaking from my suspicions, I often think that Chuck is unaware that he is being use as a pawn by conservative media. Kenny as a true friend notice the tactical scheme by the right media and stepping in to slow down Chuck from spewing asinine opinion in regard of racial issues. I hope Kenny could convince Chuck to stay away from the media if the discussion isn't related to sports.

 

[WeDemBoyz]

Barkley is just starting his c00n campaign when he tries to run for political office as a Republican. He's just in cruise control and no one should take his words seriously. I bet he doesn't even believe what he says either.

Props to others for calling out his bullshyt though.

 

[raw613]

I fukked with Barkley as a player when he was active, but every time he tries to speak out on a social issue I cringe. I don't care if he is conservative, but be so on ya own terms ( like anybody with any party really),but he goes way too far in trying to appease people that don't give a fukk about him

 

[lutha]

check out the shirt and wifey. nuff said

actually: chuck was at this event too...along with kenny, he went to it every year they had it..

 

[reserved_one]

If Kenny was to debate with Charles on TNT 2morrow night....he would crush him. Barkley is a ignorant loud mouth that loves to hear himself talk.

 

[lutha]

good shyt kenny...i dug what he was saying except 2 things:

1. duncan is better than chuck....but chuck is in the convo, and you cant go wrong with either....

2. this, katrina, and trayvon were about race....no need to p*ssy foot around that....until people start acknowledging that, we not gonna have real convos about it.... hopefully he said that just to get chuck to have the convo, and not cause he truly thinks that...i think it's the former cause kenny a smart brotha....

 

[lutha]

oh yea: for everyone thinking they gonna seriously debate on air: hell naw..... kenny not gonna throw chuck under the bus/tear him down like that on tv....they'll probably just briefly mention it, not go too indepth.....that convo they'll have behind closed doors...

 

[beenz]

Kenny's so real. Chuck is a buster. Shaq is going to mumble. Ernie will try and skip over the subject tomorrow. Chuck seems to have forgotten where he came from or the dirt he has done in life. Dude is a straight hypocrite.

why are we even suprised?? chuck is known for fukking white hoes and being a republican and this goes all the way back to his playing days

 

[BXKingPin82]

these brothers gotta get on some infinite level real shyt for me
cause im kinda lost as to why all these muthafukkas playing bytch with all this bullshyt thats been going on
props to Kenny but I dont understand how some of these guys (like Barkley... I have all his books) just fall in line and play foot stool to these crakkkers all of sudden.
You would think that NOW
with all the outlets to get your word out you would say how you feel, how you REALLY feel about some shyt. I say it again and again. Im not the realest muthafukka in the world.
Or some Malcolm X ass nikka.
But goddammit if I were in the position as some of these guys... BLACK MEN.
maaaaaaaan...
with the bullshyt that STILL goes on in this country in regards to colored folks...

Id be public enemy #1 right now the shyt Id be saying

 

[Da King]

Lost all respect for Kenny smith backing down from saying GOATcan is the GOAT PF. When chuck himself says TD is the GOAT the discussion is over