Jesse Jackson Dan Gilbert Comments Controversy – Jesse Jackson has never been known as one to bite his tongue. In 2008, you may remember that he was caught on camera talking about how he wanted to “rip Obama’s testicles off,” and now has stepped into the limelight once again, this time criticizing Cleveland Cav’s owner Dan Gilbert. His statement was responded to by Jason Whitlock, who is known as one of the most outspoken sports columnists. Whitlock never bites his tongue either, and when the two of them disagree with one another, you can expect both parties to speak their mind.
Jackson said that Dan Gilbert’s letter to LeBron James after he announced he was leaving for another team represented “his feelings of betrayal,” and that they also “personify a slave master mentality.” He went on to say that Gilbert “sees LeBron as a runaway slave.”
Whitlock quickly responded to the comments, and had a number of things to say about Mr. Jackson, including:
“Gilbert vented. I give James credit for not responding. Jackson and other African-Americans need to follow LeBron’s lead. We look foolish. We look hypocritical. We come across like people who have little genuine interest in seeing racial prejudice disappear and more like people who just want it to swing in our favor.”
It will be interesting to see how Jackson responds to the rebuttal. Whitlock made a number of very good points in his article, and many share his sentiments. Jackson has not commented on the article as of yet.
I completely agree with Mr. Whitlock’s comments and position. As an African-American I am very sadden by Rev Jackson’s comments, especially the “slavery reference”. As an well known NFL player has often said, “child, please”! L. James turned down millions of dollars from the Cleveland Basketball team and he is a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE….slavery, Mr. Jackson? You have completely lost your mind or your once again seeking the spotlight ( most likely both!) PS: By the way, L. James DID QUIT in those games Mr. Gilbert noted–just as he quit in the play-off games last year too.
I am so sick and tired of the whole LeBron James news. He did what he did. He left his team in a semi-shady way. I am sick of hearing both sides of the arguement. I am a Cleveland native, and stand by all my sports teams. The motto in Cleveland is there is always next year… I hope that all this can blow over. It has been brought to far too many levels. And now to Jesse Jackson??? Really??? All because a man poured his feelings into a letter to true fans?? Get a life Mr. Jackson, get a life. Slavery has been abolished for well over 100 years, and everyone alive today has never seen the days of slavery. Lets please leave the sports to the people that sign the contracts, not the people trying to make a name for themselves…
Comments of Dan Gilbert were well past the line of dignity and respect. Lebron has every right to leave Cleveland, and play for any team he deems fit. Rev.Jackson reacted to what seemed to be degrading and making harmful threats his cowardly self could never deliver…along with a championship..lmao, he is just bitter of the revenue he will now miss..smh. Also the money awarded to the players comes nowhere near what the good old boys receive, and they know they have to open up their purses, or there won’t be a cash cow called NBA, have we forgot the Jordan era! Self promotional value is as American as apple pie…and slavery was abolished 100 years ago, but have we forgot the 50,60, and all the after affects, hatred, profiling, and slander…still exist!
Tell me more Jesse..I’m from “Hymie Town”