by
BGLH
This year’s Olympics have been incredible for black athletes with three women in particular, Simone Biles, Michelle Carter and Simone Manuel, winning gold and making history in the process. Biles is the most decorated US gymnast of all times, Manuel is the first black woman to win gold in an individual Olympic swimming event and Carter is the first American woman EVER to win gold in shot put. Lebron James, who just made history himself as part of the first basketball team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win an NBA championship, reflected on how inspiring the historic wins were for him and his daughter.
Simone + Simone = Gold??!!! Congrats young Queens!! Truly inspiring for so many especially young black girls. My daughter was watching with me. #GoUSA#GoldStandard
The image, also posted to James’ Facebook page sparked the ire of many non-black fans who felt the basketball star’s unapologetic celebration of black achievement was divisive.
 
 
  
Of course there were a few commenters that actually ‘got it.’
 
People can boo-hoo all they want. Race still matters very VERY much. Simone Manuel’s win comes at a time when blacks are historically and systematically cut off from access to swimming pools. Beach and swimming pool bans for blacks were a fixture of segregation and, though no longer technically legal, continue today with incredibly low access to pools in black communities. Furthermore, demeaning ‘beliefs’ about black people and water continue to circulate, with some white people honestly thinking that black people cannot float because they have denser bones. As for gymnastics, it is an expensive to train in, making it traditionally inaccessible to many black Americans, who have some of the lowest socioeconomic outcomes in this country. Gabby Douglas’ mother has gone on record detailing the incredible sacrifices she made as a single mother — including sending her daughter out of state to live and train — to give Gabby a shot at greatness. Simone Biles’ parents adopted her from a drug-abusing mother and, in the process, invested in her talent. So race does indeed matter, because the playing field was NEVER even.
72 Responses
ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH WHITE PEOPLE IS THAT, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU AND WILL NOT MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY CREATED IN THEIR MINDS, A SICK PERCEPTION OF YOU. AND LIKE THE SAYING GOES, WHATEVER THE PERCEPTION A HUMAN CREATES IN THEIR MINDS OF YOU, THEN THIS IS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO TREAT AND OR RELATE TO YOU.
THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND WHO YOU ARE UNLESS THEY ARE HUMBLED AND HUMBLED THEY WILL. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY OUT FOR THEM.–THEIR WORLD IS DECLINING AS WE SPEAK
THEY SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT WE DO NOT FORGET WHAT THEY HAVE PUT US THROUGH IN THIS COUNTRY
ITS QUITE AMAZING THAT THESE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEGRADED, UNDERMINE, ABUSE, DEPRIVE, DENY, ENSLAVE, SHOOT AND BRUTALIZE YOU ON THE STREETS OF AMERICA, ALL OF A SUDDEN ARE ACTING LIKE, YES, WE ARE ONE, WE ARE ONE AMERICA–ITS THE SAME AS GOING TO FIGHT THEIR DEMONIC WARS ABROAD AND WHEN YOU COME BACK THEY STILL TREAT YOU LIKE DIRT AND NOW THEY ARE OUT THERE ACTING LIKE WE NEED THEIR APPROVAL TO CONGRATULATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR PEOPLE? THEY HAVE GOT A HELL OF A NERVE. THEIR WELL KNOWN JEALOUSY OF BLACK PEOPLE HAVE NO BOUNDS. .
THIS CHILDISH BEHAVIORS OF THEIRS WILL NOT STOP BLACK PEOPLE FROM CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THEIR PEOPLE, PERIOD, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT. WE DO NOT NEED YOUR APPROVAL
I totally agree. Now we’re citizens when we’re winning gold, smh
So well said
Good for LeBron. Very proud with how well Black women did in the Olympics.
Guess it’s a good thing the comment was deleted before I saw it.
He shouldn’t care what they think for real. Go Team USA! #blackgilrsrock!
When black people do something bad they represent all other black people, when they do something good, race doesnt exist, they represent americans ?
Preach on it. Notice how when the media prints a story about a black criminal white people don’t say “black criminals! Why cant it be ALL criminals or American criminals?”
Does he care what they think? Mr. LeBron do you care? Well you shouldn’t!
Look at how they want their plight understood…lol They tell on their person every single time. They don’t want black people to achieve anything because they’re jealous people. They tell us everyday BLACK LIVES MATTER! That’s why they try so hard to destroy us…not happening.
Until these ‘I don’t see color’ white folks are willing to have a meaningful and honest dialogue about race and racism, without screaming race baiting, playing the race card, or that happened in history, then they need to please STFU when we acknowledge our own for the kings and queens we are.
Ugh typical, white folk always have to make things about them. The most annoying thing is that these people will never know what it feels like to be black and unincluded, and then they have to rub it in with stupid and ignorant comments like “why does race matter”. Race damn sure matters to you when you’re clutching your bag, or crossing the street when a black person walks by.
ok, if a jew came out and said the same things, no one would be crying…lets say an Italian came out or an Australian….would white folk have an issue with that? NO!
They’re so afraid of blacks turning to blacks as role models…no white people! you white athletes and actors can’t always be role models to blacks. Can’t we pick and speak on it?
Whites with skill and spirituality are at times role models for blacks but not whites with skills and no spirituality.
Well Lebron can’t really speak for ALL young girls… he can speak for his own daughter though. His young black child was able to watch history being made by people who looked like her! That’s what happened, and if people can’t see that then they’re the problem, not him.
HE DOES NOT NEED YOUR PEOPLE’S APPROVAL TO CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS PEOPLE. . YOU WHITES NEED TO GO ANS SUCK ON A BONE
Did you post this response for the wrong person? I don’t have a problem with him celebrating the achievements of “his people” That was the point of my post. I was celebrating right along with him!
I wish that these people would think this way when cops kill kids and then they assume, “he’s black, he looks like a hippity hop star, he must have been acting badly.”
He said he watched it with his daughter who is a black female… There’s nothing wrong with celebrating young black women, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about other races.. Trust me! If Simon Biles does something wrong, I’m sure you will hear her color mentioned
I just think some white people don’t get it. When it comes to crime in America they sure know how to mention race. When a Polish boxer has a fight in America, Polish Americans come out in droves to support and rave wildly about it. Same thing with other ethnic groups and nationalities. Since African Americans typically don’t have a known home country we can’t show that national pride to a foreign country so we show support ethnically
The ‘funny’ part is, you can find hundreds of comments from white athletes praising other white athletes as inspirational, potential role models for other young white people. They just don’t have to/want to express how their whiteness plays part in their success; because it certainly isn’t hurting them. Meanwhile, black people are ALWAYS portrayed as doing well IN SPITE OF their blackness (same with women, and other minorities).
White excellence = excellence , no declarations of whiteness needed
Black excellence = excellence from a group of people not normally expected to excel
This is what happens when you claim the default.
Also, you’d think what with Americas’ current political climate, you know, with the official candidate of a major political party essentially questioning the authenticity and patriotism of any non-white citizen, that the white people making comments like this would get a freaking clue as to how alienated non-white Americans are made to feel on the regular.
We know we’re American, and we’re proud of that. You’re the ones constantly flip-flopping about our nationalism to suit your views.
so now these idiot want to claim them as their own bet it was something bad it would be oh the black girls people are so bleeping hypocritical
OMG, some white people are insufferable. They had fully accepted Lebron and forgot he was black for a second. Surprise!!
don’t be content, be “content”
and to the censors of this site, please don’t be part of the problems or hypocritical in your actions.
Maybe the devil doesn’t want them either. I doubt they’re very fun at parties.
Jesus what the hell is wrong with people? I’m a white guy but I’m not stupid enough not to know that the black community has been hurt by a legacy of oppression and racism through our entire history and it’s incredibly wonderful to have these poised and talented role models out there achieving their dreams and inspiring others, especially, but not exclusively, other young black kids. It takes nothing away from the achievements and sacrifices of their white counterparts and shame on all these bigots for thinking they have any clue what black Americans go through on a daily basis. I know I don’t
Well you just one out of many that get it. Thank you for not being stupid.
LOL #whitetears
It seems so toothless to me for everyone to be derisive on this subject. The anger and indignation expressed here is so lost in electrons. to be forgotten within days of a change of subject, maybe to be revived at the view of controversy in the future. In my (mildly) informed opinion, the main problem and source of anger is not race, but economics and capitalism. poor people can’t afford to build pools and golf courses (only examples) in their neighborhoods and to pay to go somewhere these locations are available and be included is beyond most families abilities. RBI (Return Baseball to the Inner-city) was a noble idea. but eventually stalled and it’s main focus diverted to fundraising. but hope springs eternal. the reason for basketball’s global popularity is it doesn’t require safety equipment and it only costs a ball that holds pressure.Soccer is the world’s game because it doesn’t even require a ball. (I’ve seen it and lived it)
the real problem is economics and that will not be solved in my lifetime or yours, or your children’s. (i’m so devastated to say) the wealthy just don’t live like the rest of us and can’t fathom the choices we have to make on a daily basis. food and shelter. it’s summer so i can live without a roof (as long as no one reports me for vagrancy) but in winter it can be more of a choice. And Lebron isn’t rich. rich people paid him and even they had options if he could make them money.
All I’m trying to say in my uneducated way, that race may only be a very minor part of the problem. used to keep people (irregardless of color, religion or favorite sports team) from focusing on the real problems we face as humanity. Please evolve. everyone that reads this has a desire for a better future, and I really doubt anyone reading this is uber-wealthy. even Lebron.
I’m Jim, I almost made it to middle class from nothing but chose to be destitute now to provide the best for my dying wife. “live altruistically”
Hi Jim. I’m George. I like your writing. I also think you are absolutely spot on!
thank you, for the kind words
thank you George for your polite and gracious reply
White America wants nothing more than to rip the black American community of any sense of pride and accomplish, and desperately cry out to make us the same through unification and ironically, continue to criticize, harass, mistreat, and abuse black Americans.
Pathetic. These are proud BLACK women.
That’s true of some in the white community, shamefully. We’re not all that bad.
The headline of the article confused me at first, like who would be angry at an athlete for congratulating another athlete for accomplishing something big? But surprise, surprise, it’s just the whites back at it again as per scheduled.
Why the devil hasn’t snatched these people up yet is beyond me.
I am so tired of people whose favorite pastime seems to be intentionally looking for stupid things to be outraged about. Of course Lebron James is celebrating the accomplishments of these BLACK young WOMEN because these accomplishments are extraordinary in large part because they are BLACK young WOMEN who by virtue of their skin color and their gender have faced the challenges that entails on top of the hard work and talent necessary to compete at this level. And of course he would notice these BLACK young WOMEN in particular because he is a parent of BLACK GIRLS, a parent who wants extraordinary things for his daughters. So can we just be proud of these young women, and allow Mr. James to be proud of them and to use his notoriety to make his pride public. And perhaps those persons with the negative comments could find something else to be outraged about. You know, something that matters a bit more than their narrow world view.
The different races will never understand each other this side of heaven.
The hell we won’t. Just have to get past this sort of ignorance. We’re making progress, albeit too slowly.
Dear Salty-Teared White People,
We’s free now. You are no longer our rulers. We do not need your permission to celebrate ourselves and our achievements. So while you are crying your salty white tears, please do kiss the blackest part of our collective asses. Regards…
your attempt to make a point seems to be insulting to white people and to black people. I wish public statements weren’t so inflamitory
LMAO!! You win the internet today!!
I have never seen a black person praise a white athlete. Period.. Ever.
That’s definitely untrue. In Baltimore, everyone praises Michael Phelps, including black people. There are many others that get praised too. Maybe your experience is just limited because of where you live or the people you surround yourself with.
You know I’m actually glad to see you all disagree with me.. That’s a good thing in the world.
Next time you go to post something about white people – consider that perhaps your experience is limited. Ok ?
Are you old enough to remember Larry Bird, Tiger woods (non-black, Other), olympic volleyball, pistol pete, Havlachiz, Joe Montana, et al but you are so busy looking for our mistakes you do not see your own. Now, Name Ten, (10) Black politicians that are not presently serving in office. P. F88king S. You may include ones that have passed.
Shut your stupid ass up! Do you know how many black men, and boys love brady, Manning, and Favre? You are a freakin IDIOT!
I suggest that you go back and look at the congrats that Michael Phelps received after the last Olympics, or that Peyton Manning received after the Super Bowl, or Brett Favre after his retirement. You haven’t seen it because it didn’t fit your narrow mindset.
You must not watch/read any kind of sports commentary shows/blogs. =/
Oh now we’re simply “American”? My Job application, Drivers License Application, Social Security Forms, and Voter Registration Card would beg to differ.
As long as THEY are pointing it out, it’s relevant and necessary but never when we can use it as a source of pride or rallying cry. There are protocols for white supremacist ideology and practices.
I understand the relevance of what some of these people are saying but they clearly don’t understand why it IS important for young black girls to be inspired like this even more than girls of other races.
Not even a fan of LeBron but he has my support on this any of day of the week. Tell these salty ass white people to STFU.
Sucks teeth…I guess he has to protect his money but I would a told all of them to kiss my B a***.
Amazing how white people are the first to point out the fact that someone was African or black American when they do something negative. When they are not in competition, they are mere NIGGAS to white Americans. But now that they have to represent, all of a sudden, they are Americans. As soon as they get back to America, they will be NIGGAS again. GTOFH with the BS
You hit it on the head. Insert side eye here.
Crazy right
#Allgirlsmatter … Just stay out of it. Didn’t speak up when an olympian’s success got attributed to her husband or how sexist sports coverage of women is, but it looks like the word “black” is a brand new trigger. Celebrate black excellence and people come out of the woodwork telling us not to be so divisive with our joy. Same people laughing at racist memes and saying how PC we all are want to come for a black man congratulating history-making athletes.
They don’t care about girls or black people, much less black girls. They care about perpetrating the false equivalence that racism goes both ways, absolving themselves of it.
You do get that inserting a bunch of made up motivations behind someone else’s actions is in no way related to a logical point of view or a useful argument ??
Sounds to me like you’ve taken all your insecurities and channeled them into thoughts and feelings about what colour you are.. That’s given you an enemy and a cause of your suffering that’s outside yourself. Pathetic to watch..
whoa whoa whoa, back up. I get that the specific people saying “it should just be girls” probably aren’t intentionally upholding racism or white supremacist values. But Chevanne logically, usefully, and excellently points out the larger societal motivation for pretending like racism doesn’t exist, even though it clearly does, or the motivation for thinking that pointing out the achievements of black athletes is discriminatory against white people – it’s a lot easier to say that color doesn’t matter or that it’s reverse racism than to actually grapple with white privilege, and being complicit in racism.
Also, I get the irony in inserting a bunch of made up motivations for Chevanne after this post, but seriously? This is so offensive. There’s a difference between pointing out institutional racism and gaslighting a person of color on their experiences and understandings of racism.
You are stupid! White people are the reason there’s racism in America, dummy, so you should be having a talk with the creators of the problem, not the recipients of it. In other words, look in the mirror, you fool!
I don’t live in your country.. Been there a few times – it’s a fucked up place. Reading the comments here, I can see how truly divided we are as humans. Sad to watch.
Good luck in life !
I find it funny why can’t they just be girls.That right there is a label which made them hypocrites.If they really cared it would of just been Americans period.Not African American girls not American girls just American.Frowning upon us for having role models we can look up to and celebrate in the black community.One way for us to be accepted is to not be looked at like a unicorn when I go anywhere especially with my hair out.Or to treat me with respect like everyone else instead of rudeness,but they never bring that up.Until they acknowledge their privileges and turn it into equality but they won’t because to them equality is opression.
This is one of the reasons I can barely associate with whites.
This comment is an example of one of the reasons I can barely associate with anyone.
They never wanted to be reminded that we are Black unless they are doing the reminding.
to be honest the best people never think there is a difference
I just want to scream. Some ‘humans’ just do not get it. Congratulations to the young ladies!
those comments are funny because they’re always singled out as african american but as soon as these black girls do something great they want to “accept” them as american… America is so confused.
Exactly! These are the same people who want to act like black people can’t do anything positive/worthwhile, but the moment we do and point that out, then they want to accuse us of being divisive. Smh
Lebron knows that African American athletes at one time weren’t even allowed to compete in sports, it was the league itself who caused the worse division in sports. I think that in itself is a reason for him to celebrate their blackness. Also let’s not forget that at one time we couldn’t even swim in their pools without them draining it behind us, and now you have a Black Youth excel in the swim competition, breaking all sorts of records and winning that gold, another reason to celebrate their accomplishments. Just like back in the days, you want us to fight your chickens, bring home the gold, while America takes credit for it….We only get to be American when we’re winning them gold.
If they do something bad they become Black if they do something good they’re Americans.
My thoughts EXACTLY!