In today’s society, we are fortunate to have more outlets to information and news than any other civilization in history. Want to find out what’s happening in the town 30 miles from you? Hop on the Internet. Want to find out what’s happening in the country halfway across the world? Take your pick of TV, radio, or the Internet. It’s not a question of whether we can be informed or not, but a question of which means of communication we choose to educate ourselves.
Because so many of us are very opinionated and steadfast in our beliefs I avoid talking about politics and race in my articles at all possible cost. Sure, if I want 5,000+ reads I could throw in a topic of race to stir the pot or put in my two cents on politics. But that’s not what I’m about and will continue to stay that way.
The only reason I have decided, after long and hard thought, to tackle this topic of China, the USA Basketball team, and the Olympics is because the events taking place in Darfur have nothing to do with politics. In my eyes, human genocide is not politics. The question of basic human rights and men, women, and children being slaughtered while being shown less respect than meat-packing factories show pigs and cows, is not politics. It’s the difference between humans and savages.
Bleacher Report’s own Sean Crowe and David Mayeda wrote superb articles discussing the power of voices in the Olympic Games (I highly recommend reading both to gain a more clear perspective on what I am discussing). Very few of us are fortunate to have a voice powerful enough for the entire world to hear; if we choose to use it. An even smaller number of us have a chance to participate in an event that showcases the best of the best from all countries, as nations come together to celebrate sports and progress.
Combine the powerful voice with the largest possible venue and you have the ingredients to deliver a message that can impact millions, open eyes, shape and reshape opinions of all races and religions. This is why I was so excited to see two of the biggest stars, not just in the NBA, but in the United States sports landscape look as if they were getting ready to make their voices heard.
Kobe Bryant and Lebron James had given strong indications that they would use the Olympic stage to do their part in bringing attention to a very real problem; a problem that has thus far claimed 400,000 lives (according to the United Nations).
Then I heard their answers on Outside the Lines (ESPN). Bryant’s and James’ responses were echoed (almost word for word) by others including Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. All of them saying something along the lines of, “We’re here to play basketball and let the governments handle the politics.”
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Hearing each and every one of the USA Basketball players utter those words made me slump back in my chair and shake my head. They squandered an opportunity not just to bring awareness to a global issue, but to also gain new fans and show so many in the United States that NBA players are not just ignorant street thugs, but young knowledgeable men who have been given a bad rap by a few thugs here and there. This is a lost opportunity on many fronts if you ask me.
However, after hearing the fifth and sixth players say essentially the same things, I began to wonder why all of a sudden no one had the interest to speak up. Didn’t Kobe record a commercialtalking about coming together to make a change? Didn’t Lebron give that interview in May saying that he wanted to educate himself first, then talk when the stage was set? That’s when I came back from Lala land, snapped back to reality and looked at the facts.
The United States has a population of roughly 300 million. The number of basketball fans in China alone is estimated to be 300 million. Let that sink in for a second.
In 2007, 83% of Chinese men ages 18 to 24 claimed to be basketball fans. Close to a third of the visits to NBA.com come from China and there are 50,000 plus stores selling NBA merchandise.
As of October 2007, David Stern estimated that the NBA profited $50 million from China alone. Not that big of a figure, right? Stern estimated that the league would make around $250 million annually from China by 2010.
Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade are all in the top 10 of jerseys sold in China. I don’t have the figures on how much each makes from the sales or how much the league does, but I can estimate that the numbers would drop significantly if any of the aforementioned players decided to voice an opinion that upset the Sleeping Giant.
It is clear that the NBA is covering its bases and banking its future success on the heels of China. After all, we all know how badly Stern wants the league to globalize. Why jeopardize all that money and all that success because a few players want to throw their two cents in on mass killings?
I used to think genocide was reason enough.
Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of what’s important. We pride ourselves in having civil liberties, yet quietly watch as one of our largest sports entities turns its cheek for the sake of expanding its sport.
Why are we not upset? Why are we not screaming for David Stern’s head or calling the players hypocrites? Do you realize that there was more commotion and widespread anger when Stern instituted the dress code? That’s saying something about our priorities.
Now I know there are a lot of you out there who are going to assume that I’m some sort of hippie and that I don’t understand about the importance of profits. Wrong. Working for the Small Business Administration of the Government, I understand how cutthroat things are, and how important it is to be in the green rather than the red. You make money or you pack your things up and make room for somebody who will. Simple as that, cut and dry. The only difference is this:
Are having higher profit margins worth the expense of attention and awareness that could have been brought to a mass murder scene? Is saving one, two, 10, 100, or 1,000 lives worth a decrease in Kobe or Lebron’s jersey sales?
“We have the power. We have the power to unite people. If we can unite people who are willing to take a stand, miracles can happen. What do you stand for? In Darfur, hundreds of thousands have been murdered, mutilated, families torn apart. Please take a stand with us. We have the power to save lives, to restore lives. Join us at AidStillRequired.org. Together, we have the power to change the world.” - Kobe Bryant Commercial Transcript
I know where I stand.
Unfortunately, we also know where the NBA stands.
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about 1 month ago
Outstanding! Good research and angle on this ... get the word out!
about 1 month ago
I agree. Its a shame that nobody mentions what China is doing to the Uyghur population in East Turkestan (aka Xinjiang). The simple fact that its Darfur being mentioned is blatant political posturing in my eyes because you know and I know why they bring up Darfur (especially in the West) when just as bad, if not worse, things are happening on a international-recognized state-sponsored level.
Darfur is an issue, no doubt. But it is picked solely on political reasons. Where are the "Free Palestine" commercials? "Free Kashmir", "Free Chechnya", etc?
from about 1 month ago
Darfur is not picked solely on political reasons. Genocide is being committed more prevalently there than any place on earth.
Palestine's issue is more about dispute over land between Muslims and Jews who are fighting for the same piece of religious real estate.
"Free Kashmir" was never a topic. Pakistan and India are in an argument over who's land that is, not whether Kashmir should be an independent country.
about 1 month ago
terrific article. i had not known a lot about this prior to reading, but i plan to learn, you brought to light a great shame for Amerian sports to make a global stand.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Zach. A Brett Favre article would have probably been a sexier read but this is a much more real and important issue if you ask me.
about 1 month ago
Unfortunately, America seems to be picking green over conscience with startling regularity Shaun. But, to carry your point a step further, It's almost too late in Darfur. Genecide isn't happenING, it's happenED. Those people who have not been raped, maimed, or killed, have fled now as refuges and are now dying of starvation and disease. Even if it was stopped today, it would have already fulfilled it's horrible intent. To place the responsibility in the hands of the NBA and a handful of athletes for taking a stand when our elected officials would not, is not the appropriate measure of this failure. Darfur has been happening for years, and our entire government has elected to let it go. We are heavily in debt to China and need our Walmarts, more than our conscience. This is the World's failure, not simply the NBA's.
from about 1 month ago
You're absolutely right. Most of the tragedy has already happened. I only hoped the NBA would take this opportunity to bring attention to a crime against humanity, whether it is still going on or has already taken place.
But like you said, green over conscience is the new norm.
about 1 month ago
Oh yeah, good article. Didn't mean to preach, but the situation in Darfur is an abomination to humanity.
about 1 month ago
I agree with your points. But I cannot judge any of these players because all Olympics athletes had to sign an agreement stating that they would not engage in any form of political protest during the games. So, any statement, especially anything criticizing the Chinese government, will be subject to investigation and possible disqualification of that player. So, I can't really judge if Kobe and LeBron changed their position on speaking out on the despicable and horrendous tragedies in Darfur because of this waiver or because they were just blowing smoke early on with their concerns about Darfur. I have my assumptions, but that's all they are...assumptions. Well written article man.
from about 1 month ago
Michael..thanks for adding knowledge on this topic because I was not aware of the waiver. I don't respect the NBA players any less than before because it is clear that they were muzzled, as you point out, by the waiver that they signed.
The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is why would they be ready to talk back in spring knowing full well that they'd have to sign a waiver to play that would limit what they could say down the road?
about 1 month ago
well if the atheletes speak out or say anything about the issues, they run the risk of being expelled from the Olympic Village. i.e. 1968
and it's China, you can't speak your mind like you can here. their house. their rules
from about 1 month ago
Agreed. But there are ways to make sure people know what you're talking about without publicly bashing China. Example... "What's happening in Darfur is wrong and something needs to be done to stop it". By saying something as simple as that, everyone knows what you're talking about without you saying the name "China", but I absolutely know what you mean.
It's a sticky situation no matter how you spin it. I just wish the impression had not been given all spring that someone would say something, only to hear silence now. Good point though Kevin.
about 1 month ago
I don't blame any of the players for saying they're there to play basketball because that is the truth. They don't want to stir up controversy and get involved in issues that they are not supposed to be focused on right now anyway.
If one of them felt strongly about the issue and made the choice to take initiative and do something then that is his choice. If not, they're not expected to fake it in my book just for the sake of saying something.
We get too wrapped up in politics and other issues because everybody thinks they know everything. Of course whats going on in Darfur is horrifically inhumane but so were things in Iraq before we went in there and look how we're reacting to that.
Point is OK, maybe they said they were gonna bring a bigger game to back up their mouths, but they didn't, let's get over it. There are more important people that should be preaching about this issue.
from about 1 month ago
Nick - Agree with you on the fact that there are more important people who should talk about this, and probably have a much better understanding of the details of the situation. That being said, which of those people has really stood up and rallied attention and support. Obviously not very many because what tribes in Sudan set out to do in Darfur has pretty much been accomplished. As Daniel pointed out in a comment above, genocide isn't just happening; its pretty much already happened.
Again, yes politicians and other figureheads of society might be better to speak about this but I don't think anyone can argue that Lebron James' voice is louder and paid more attention to than anyone else in sports except maybe Tiger Woods.
If you say you are going to do something that is noble, do it. Don't flip flop. I would have had no issue had Kobe and Bron not said anything back in spring, but they did. That's why its a little disheartening. That's where I'm coming from. I appreciate your comment and perspective!
29 days ago
I agree with everything you said and I was shocked to see LeBron and Kobes 180 on Outside the Lines. But something tells me since all of their answers on the subject were the exact same that they are still plotting somekind of a statement, they just dont want people sitting there waiting for it. So if it doesnt come on Sunday in the 1st game against China, which it probably shoud, then it will come on the podium when they receive their medals toward the end of the competition. Tiger is number one here but LeBron is probably the most powerful athlete in the world and he should take the chance to really flex his influetial muscle and make a statement that he is more than just an athlete, he is a Icon and if he were to do something as small as wear a pair of sneakers Darfur written on them in sharpie pin ink it would send a drastic message. 1968 Olympics, all it took was a black glove and those two athletes were relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Imagine what LBJ and Kobe could do...
from 29 days ago
Thanks Gregory. Yeah the 180 was a complete surprise. I hope LBJ doesn't follow in the footsteps of MJ and not take advantage of his voice for the betterment of others. I know it's not a requirement or their duty, but its a noble thing to do in my opinion.
29 days ago
Fantastic article, a great read, well researched and really opened my eyes to what can be done to help (coming from England I don't get the press on basketball that much and was unaware that LeBron and Kobe had said those things and not followed through).
from 29 days ago
Thanks Greg! Your comment is the exact reason why I feel the NBA is squandering an opportunity to have their voice heard globally and raise awareness on this issue. I realize that there are other factors involved, like the waiver they apparently signed, but there are still ways around that. Personally, saving a couple of hundred lives is more important that a gold medal...but that's just me.
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