LeBron James calls Black Lives Matter “a walk of life”, appealing to Breonna Taylor

With the time running less than a minute before half-time in the Los Angeles Lakers’ first scrimmage in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, LeBron James zoomed in on two defenders near the midfield to knock out a smashed dunk during the transition.

As James split Jerry West’s waistline as he darted through the massive NBA logo on the tipoff circle, TV viewers could see three words in block letters printed on the pitch above their screens above him: “BLACK LIVES MATTER”.

The phrase, which entered the public lexicon after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2013 and became the title of the social action that has been omnipresent in recent months following the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans, is something that James says should be considered permanent, not passing through.

“Many people use this analogy, referring to Black Lives Matter as a movement. It is not a movement,” said James after scoring 12 points in 15 minutes in the Lakers ‘defeat against Dallas’ 108 108 Mavericks. “When you’re black, it’s not a movement. It’s a lifestyle. We sit here and say it’s a movement and, OK, how long will this movement last? ‘Don’t stop the movement.’ No, this is a walk of life. When you wake up and you’re black, this is what it is. It shouldn’t be a movement. It should be a lifestyle. This is what we are …

“I don’t like the word” movement “because, unfortunately, in America and in society, there hasn’t been any damned movement for us. There hasn’t been any movement.”

Right now, James, 35, finds himself more than just a basketball player trying to get past his old legs and a global pandemic to stack another title on his Hall of Fame resume.

It is a success story from humble origins, deeply aware of the pitfalls he avoided to get where he is today. He is probably not only the best player in the league – Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo would like a word – but without doubt his most impactful voice.

“When he speaks, many people listen,” said teammate Anthony Davis.

So after James played in his first NBA uniform game in more than four months, his post-game comments focused on wider issues than how the Lakers’ defense handled Luka Doncic or what the first impression of JR Smith.

“First of all, I want to continue to shed light on justice for Breonna Taylor and her family and everything that is going on in that situation,” said James as an opening statement.

He wrote “# Justice4BreonnaT” in marker on his sneakers for the game and was asked what steps he wanted to take to offer that justice. Taylor, a black emergency medical technician, was killed in Louisville, Kentucky after plainclothes officers executed a “no-knock” warrant on an investigation into narcotics and shot the 26-year-old at least eight times, according to reports. reported. No drugs found.

“We want to arrest the cops who committed that crime,” said James of the three Louisville police officers involved.

Detective Brett Hankison has been fired. Jon Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, the other officers in the service of the mandate, were subjected to administrative reassignment.

“We as the NBA and we as players, and I as one of the leaders of this league, I want his family to know about it and I want the state of Kentucky to know that we feel this way and we want justice.” James said. “This is what it is about. What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. And this is a wrong situation that is happening in my eyes and in many other eyes, not only here in America but, I bet in the world, also.”

He stressed the irony of how “fortunate” it was that Floyd’s death – caused by a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck – was captured on video, because the tragedy was undeniable.

“I mean, is that what we have to see, a video of Breonna being killed to realize how serious the situation is?” he questioned.

James added to the din of players who have drawn attention to Taylor’s case since the NBA invited 22 teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to restart the season after a long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

James said he hopes that other players – individuals who might normally feel “scared” of potential relapses – feel empowered to continue talking while in Orlando.

“Because it’s a time when we are listened to,” he said. “Whether we really care about it or not, we’re listened to. But that’s what’s most important.”

Beyond his reflections on Taylor, James spoke with a broader reach when he approached reporters for nearly 15 minutes – about twice his normal post-game session – describing the systematic challenges facing blacks in this country.

“We know that for a step that someone else might have to take, or for a construction site someone else might have to take, we know we have to take another five steps,” said James. “We know we have to take another 10 yards to reach the final area. I mean, we understand it. We know it. But it is also what makes us strong, makes us so powerful, makes us so unique and unified is that we have had so many difficulties in our life.

“It’s just heartbreaking, man. Guys, you don’t understand. Unless you’re a black person, you guys don’t understand. I understand you could prove it, but you could never really understand what black must be in America.”

James was asked if he had sensed progress since July 2016, when he, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul opened ESPYS asking for social change.

“I mean, 2016, Barack [Obama] he was our president, “said James.” We know what’s going on now. So is that progress? I don’t think, I think we can all see and say that it’s not progress. “

Progress, according to James’s estimate, will begin with communication and the will and urgency to understand each other.

“If you could just sit there and talk to someone, watch someone face to face and say how you feel, no matter if they like it or not, you can respect them,” he said. “Someone might disagree … But if I can look you dead in your eyes and you can look back and say,” Listen, everyone is his, I disagree, “then he can respect you from that. Many people they can’t even have that conversation. “