LeBron's Flagrant Foul

During a recent press conference, President Bush, when asked to rationalize the economic relationship between his European allies and his enemy of the week country Iran, he rather candidly said "...let's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes." This is a remarkably blunt admission by the "leader of the free world" (there's an irony for you) in describing the somtimes contradictory relationship between money and business on one side and peace and democracy on the other. Although in a rather smaller scale, here is an example of this relationship, which can be seen as a microcosm of the larger picture.

Most everyone, especially sports fans, are starting to become familiar with the name LeBron James. He is a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers who, almost single handedly, carried his team into the NBA finals for the first time in the team's history last Saturday, beating the dreaded Detroit Pistons 4 games to 2 in the best of 7 series. Also known as "King James", LeBron is touted as "the next Michael Jordan", in talent and perhaps surpass Jordan in financial wealth. LeBron signed a $90 million endorsement deal with Nike in 2003, while still in high school! Though only 22 years old, he is listed as the 6th richest athlete on the Fortune 500 list of 2007 and also won "The Wealthiest Athlete of the Year" award at the ESPYs last year.

Recently, LeBron's teammate Ira Newbel drafted a letter to the Chinese government demanding that they put pressure on the Sudanese government in order to help stop the genocide in Darfur. The Chinese government is a big business partner with the Sudanese government, investing heavily in oil. All of Ira's teammates, except LeBron James and Damon Jones signed the letter. Yeah, I know. Who is Damon Jones, right? Yes, he is nobody really...I mean in terms of NBA stardom, compared to James. He is what they call in basketball lingo "a bench warmer". I guess he figured this was the only way he could get his name called in the same sentence with LeBron James, even though they are on the same team.

All joking aside, why did LeBron James, an NBA megastar whose signature would have put the much-needed weight on the letter, decline to sign the letter? Well, as the above article suggests, let's follow the money. Both LeBron and Damon have marketing contracts with a Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning Sports Goods Co. And remember that $90 million contract between James and Nike, a company which runs hundreds of sweatshops in China? Well, my hunch is that the contract probably contains a clause that prevents James from speaking out against the Chinese government in any form, including signing a petition.

One might give LeBron a pass on this, citing his youthful indiscretion and conclude that he may be too naive to understand the implications of his action or inaction in this case. However, there have been many young athletes before him who took a firm stand on issues and did what they felt was the right thing. In 1967, Mohammed Ali was 25, only 3 years older than LeBron James is, when he took on the U.S. government and refused to fight in Vietnam declaring, "No Viet Cong ever called me nigger" . For his stance, Ali was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in jail. The decision was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a time when political discourse in the country was so bitter that people were divided in racial and political lines, taking a stand Ali took against the "big bad" U.S. government was not only courageous, but outright perilous for a young black man. He was stripped of his world heavyweight title and his boxing license. The financial damage and the set back to his career was immeasurable, but Ali was able to overcome all and regained the heavyweight title again. After his conviction Ali said: "I'm giving up my title, my wealth, maybe my future. Many great men have been tested for their religious beliefs. If I pass this test, I'll come out stronger than ever."

I guess the Mohammed Alis, Bill Russles, Kareem Abdul Jabbars, Arthur Ashes, Jim Browns , or the John Carlos & Tommie Smith's of the world are becoming extinct, aren't they? James, please spend some time with the ones who are still alive before they pass on. They may have some tips for you on how to match a big and incredibly athletic body to an even bigger and caring heart. It's more satisfying to be rich spiritually than materially - ask Ali.

Now James, listen to me young man. Here's a chance for you to score the biggest point in your young career. And you thought that game-winning lay-up against Detroit was your biggest one! Trust me; you will have plenty of chances to score points like those. I am talking about an opportunity of a life time to make a real difference in other people's lives. They come once in a lifetime. Use it, jump on it, put your big hands around like you do with that basketball and take charge. You'll be a better person for it. And believe me; you don't even have to go to jail because of it. How about a little humanity here? I realize you have been protected, shielded, cuddled and pampered by almost everyone you know up until now, and I don't expect you to be like Ali overnight. I also realize that it is difficult to be politically and spiritually conscious when people around you treat you like a rancher treats his prized milk-cow or his studhorse, but I am sure you look at yourself in the mirror everyday. And when you look deeper, you will come to the realization that those people in Darfur are of your color, not that skin color is a pre-requisite to help others, but you know what I mean. Who knows, if you look deep enough, you may find some Nubian blood in you. Have you seen what Nubian people look like? Here's a sample . Remarkable, isn't it - the resemblance to you? You know where Darfur is located, 'Bron ? Yes, it's close to that old Nubian Civilization. Do you know their history? You'll be amazed! Here... take a look. And yes, they had kings too!!! Just like your nickname! Isn't that a coincidence? Yep, they are actually civilized people, despite what the U.S. media shows you on TV sometimes. Don't get me wrong, the more publicity about Darfur the better, but you know they do us sometimes, right? Yes, they are a very proud group of people.  It's just that they have fallen on some hard times these days like we all do from time to time. And it was all through no fault of their own either. Yes, they had kings, queeens, warriors, businessmen and women, engineers etc… Yeah, Sudanese people, just like all human beings on earth, given the chance, can do anything they want. They can even play in the NBA! Remember Manute Bol? How about the current player - the one who plays for the Chicago Bulls - yeah, LuolDeng? Oh My God! Deng! How will you be able to look him in the eye next season? How about Dikembe Mutambo, for that matter, another African playing in the NBA who has done so much for his brothers and sisters in Africa? Oh well, I am sure you will find the courage to face them. I'm just trying to help a brutha out, 'Bron.

You know James, I have another idea. Why don't you take some time this off season to have a talk with Mutambo and Deng and see if they can help you with this? Come on, do this for us and make us proud, so next time we see you on the TV making one of your spectacular plays or thunderous dunks, we can be proud of both the athlete and the human being.

Chereka